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10 Drama and Music Classes for Young Stars
So your little ones know every word to Les Mis and are more comfortable at Stratford than the local baseball diamond? Or maybe you've got a pint-sized Gleek or Pitch Perfect fan on your hands? Either way, we've rounded up the best musical theatre classes from around the city. When you're mouthing lines from the wings of the stage, you can thank us—dramatically, of course.
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Groove School
Forest Hill's popular Groove School of Dance also offers a great Groove Glee Club focussing on singing, drama and dance. Fun, youthful and talented instructors keep the kids smitten and the end-of-year performance in a sight to behold. Last year's performance was Frozen—a crowd pleaser to say the least.
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The Space
This Danforth-based class will really develop your little Broadway babe, especially the dance diva who wants to branch out. Creative Movement classes for the 3-5 set segue to Beginner Musical Theatre for ages 6-8. Last year's performance was the always popular Annie...what hit will be presented this year?!
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CATS (Children’s Arts Theatre School)
CATS offers a strong, diverse program and has one of the more robust programs for the youngest set, starting as early as age 3 (puppetry, pantomime and storytelling). It also offers great variety in locations, with schools in Willowdale, High Park, the Danforth and right downtown. Last year's performances featured three different arrangements of Aladdin the Musical based on age group (cue the ‘awws').
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Mimico Children’s Choir
Mimico, the wonder in the west in terms of increasingly popular family neighbourhoods, offers a great community-based choir. After-school rehearsals and performances such as the Community Carol Concert add to the sense of involvement and this is very much a volunteer-driven initiative.
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Beaches Children’s Chorus
This east end chorus offers The Piccolo Choir for JK and SK—a great introduction to choir with rehearsals made fun with movement and drama incorporated. The Prelude and Cantabile Choirs extend from age 6-12 and these choirs work toward a year-end performance (HMS Pinafore in the past). What great rollicking fun!
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Ovation Arts
Serving York Region, Ovation Arts offers KidsPlay, a lovely, interactive class for ages 5-7 that provides foundations in singing, musical-theatre dance and acting. Can't wait to see what the tykes have been learning? The winter showcase highlights it all!
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Randolph Academy
The Tony Award winner of them all, Randolph Academy (at Bathurst and Bloor) is pretty much Fame for real. Kids' programs extend to the trademarked Triple Threat Program to Glee Choir. Productions have included...well just about everything, including Into the Woods. Expect a lot of drama—in a good way— as your little Anna Kendrick immerses herself in her craft. Discount for boys— that's just the way it is.
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Pegasus Studios
An absolutely delightful studio, this is some pretty serious training of the pre-professional variety for the kid who wants to be a performer. Located in the east end, they really know their genres and there is a neat opportunity to be exposed to dedicated music lessons like the on-trend ukulele.
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Bravo Academy
Conveniently located in Central Toronto, Bravo Academy offers very popular musical theatre classes that allow kids to work on playing a character on stage, and we're talking about some Broadway favourites. Just …don't sing along at the performances, ok parents?
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Stagecoach Canada
Stage Coach Theatre Classes wins the Oscar for the most locations, with schools in Toronto Central, West, North, Oakville and also Durham Region. The Early Stages class puts the 4-6 year-old set through 30 minutes each of singing, dance and drama—so basically a typical Saturday—but this time under the direction of a professional.