Performing arts education is often seen in more of an extracurricular nature, taking a back seat to core subjects such as math, science, and language arts. However, numerous research studies have shown that it plays an integral role in a well-rounded education and can help improve proficiency in academic performance overall. The benefits of attending a performing arts school extend beyond the academic realm. Let’s take a look.
- Self-Expression – With all the influences pulling at our children each day, it’s essential they find their voice. Self-expression is empowered in performing arts through an environment that’s supportive and encourages children to be their authentic selves. Your child will also have the opportunity to explore feelings and their impact, creating emotional intelligence well beyond their years.
- Communication Skills – Fear of public speaking is all too common among adults. Gaining tools to overcome this early on in a safe, creative space, in which your child feels comfortable, can open so many doors. What’s more, performing arts can help them hone listening skills and learning to read non-verbal cues, which are also crucial to effective communication.
- Creative Thinking – Just as there’s not only one side to a story, there’s not always one way to solve a problem, and being able to think ‘outside the box’ can serve you well in life. There’s no better way to practice those skills than in the performing arts where your child had numerous creative outlets, and their imagination can thrive.
- Increased Confidence – We’ve all been wowed by singers, dancers, and actors who effortlessly perform to huge crowds. That ‘it’ factor they have has a lot to do with confidence, yet many talk about being shy growing up. It’s their experience performing in front of an audience that helped them! Whether your child has a future or stage, or not, confidence is key to career success.
- Discipline – Whatever the craft, the performing arts require a considerable commitment. It takes time, hard work, and motivation to perform at your best and then continue pushing your limits to do even better the next time. Learning to tap into that drive and understanding how satisfying it is to achieve those hard-fought goals is invaluable, both personally and professionally.
- Teamwork – In schoolwork, and in many sports, you’re focused on individual goals. Many children don’t truly understand how to work as a team until they’re thrown into it as working adults – often unsuccessfully. Collaboration requires a unique set of skills that are continuously fine-tuned in performing arts as no production comes to fruition without working together with your peers.
- Life Skills – There are some things you can’t learn from a book; they must be experienced. Performing arts can teach children resiliency in dealing with criticism and failure. It teaches introspection so they can better understand themselves and can help them think beyond themselves to see the big picture.
What’s more, we all know how competitive the college application process can be. Students need any edge they can get, even with stellar academics. Experience in performing arts can help them stand out. It shows their character, drive, and capabilities often better than any GPA can do.
Is a Performing Arts School Right for You?
If your child has struggled in traditional school and/or has a particular interest in the arts, a performing arts school could be a great fit. This type of struggle was a big driver for our founder and Executive Director, Allison Barberi, to create our homeschool-based performing arts school. She faced similar challenges with her kids, who are now professional actors, dancers, and performing artists.
We serve students ages 10-18 with one- to four-year programs in four uniquely focused conservatories – acting, dance, music, and comparative arts – and strive to help your children succeed in what they love to do, even if it’s multiple art forms.Â
Download the Academy Guide to learn more.