Catering to performance in art education
Sandy Keenawinna
The David Academy of Performing Arts (DAPA), which was inaugurated in
September 2010, has sped up its expansion programme to include the
commencement of classes for 3 - 6 year olds, Beat Boxing classes and the
publication of graded training and resources, to enhance the academy's
portfolio, André David DAPA's founder and principal trainer said.
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Kids in the
DAPA workshop |
Speaking on the accelerated development programme, Andre who is an
award-winning voice and performance teacher said that in a matter of
months the fledgling academy grew from five to nearly a hundred
students. This demand led to the establishment of two centres: Moratuwa
and Kohuwela.
According to Andre David, who is also the Deputy Director, Deputy
Conductor and Choreographer of the prestigious Mary Anne School of Vocal
Music and the senior performing group the Merry an Singers, also said
that the persistent demand for beginners' classes led him to commence
the recruitment and training of vocal music teachers well before
originally planned. With effect from June this year DAPA will launch
classes for the pre-school age group and admissions are ongoing for
these classes. These classes will be conducted by vocal music teacher
Ashini Wickrema who has been trained at DAPA in keeping with the
academy's programme. Ashini had her initial training in singing
technique under late Ruwani Seimon.
"I am very excited about starting work at DAPA and starting the new
class. It is great to have a place like DAPA where the kids are trained
from a very young age, where they not only learn how to sing but also to
perform as a world class performer. I am so grateful to have this
opportunity to be a part of DAPA and be a part of their great vision,
training and helping kids and adults to find their dream. This is just
the beginning and there is so much more that Sri Lanka is yet to see in
the world of performing arts, and it feels great to be part of something
that is bigger than you and I see DAPA changing this generation in Sri
Lanka." Ashini said.
When asked what made her chose this line of work, Ashini animatedly
replied, "I have always been passionate about performing arts and have
been singing and performing from the age of five. I have always dreamt
of being singer myself but stopped performing at the age of 20 and, due
to various reasons, I never followed my dream - it is never too late.
Now after six years, thanks to DAPA, I have the opportunity to follow my
dream - to perform and give of what I have learnt to the rest of the
country. It brings great joy to share your knowledge and when your
students blossom and turn out to be an amazing performers - that is real
satisfaction.
With its many innovative and ground breaking ideas in the pipeline,
this vibrant and progressive organization is well on its way to being
the much needed professional performing arts company which offers a wide
range of training programmes in the diverse disciplines that constitute
the arena of performance arts.
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