APO continues to lead the way
APO Arts Academy has trained aspiring performers for the professional Performing Arts Industry since 1987.
Training for careers in the entertainment industry is a tough business, but when done right, it is also successful business.
APO Arts Academy has trained aspiring performers for the professional Performing Arts Industry since 1987.
Originally established as Dance World Studios, a school specialising in vocational Dance courses, recent changes in industry standards have heralded changes in the course/training requirements.
The Academy’s Artistic Director, Pamela Apostolidis, said: “Obviously talent plays a huge part in determining a performer’s career success, however in today’s climate, it is essential that working professionals have a varied skill set if they’re to have a chance of success. With this in mind, the School has recently enhanced its professional training programs by introducing more extensive artistic departments, including Music Theatre and this year, Dramatic Art.”
The Academy’s Music Theatre department, now in its third year, has already been hugely successful; with a number of graduates being offered ongoing professional engagements both in Australia and overseas and others accepted to further their studies at degree courses, such as WAAPA.
The Music Theatre department headed by WAAPA alumnus Nicholas McMahon, offers students extensive training in Singing (including individual vocal tuition), Acting and Dance, with students studying Vocal Repertoire (Solo and Ensemble), Music Theatre History, Acting & Improvisation, Voice, Accent & Dialect, Music Theory & Keyboard and all Dance styles. It has attracted a diverse range of talented students: including recent high school graduates, experienced amateur theatre performers, trained actors, singers and dancers, as well as professionals wishing to refine their skills.
This year APO Arts Academy added Dramatic Arts training to their stable. The Academy is pleased to welcome to its faculty Christine Best, former senior Acting and Improvisation lecturer at WAAPA, who will coordinate the Dramatic Art department. This new course is a comprehensive training program for young actors, providing students with practical skills in a variety of theatre forms and styles, as well as film and television.
The Dance department, under the banner of Dance World Studios, has trained and nurtured students in dance for over 20 years. Apostolidis adds: “Our commitment has always been to train dancers for professional performance careers. We run both junior and senior programs as well as three full-time programs”. Although specialising in the discipline of ‘Dance’, all courses are industry focused and incorporate individual vocal tuition and Drama as part of the practical syllabus.
Entry into the Academy is by audition, with applicants vetted according to ability, age & potential to pursue a career in the Performing Arts Industry. Some of the courses offered provide prerequisite & foundation training for entrance into the more advanced courses, which require higher levels of skill and competency. The advanced level courses place the students as close as possible to being industry ready. In any case, all courses offered complement one another and reflect the professional industry requirements and current trends.
In keeping with our commitment, all courses have a heavy practical element with students encouraged to learn through experience and instruction. A number of performances are presented by the Academy throughout the year, providing students with the necessary experience to develop individual professionalism. All students are required to participate in the public performances as part of the syllabus and assessment procedure.
For more information regarding any of APO Arts Academy’s programs, contact Hayley Russell on [email protected] or call (03) 9696 2943. You can also visit the website www.apoartsacademy.com for more details.