YOUTH Classes & LESSONS

WINTER GROUP CLASSES
January 11 - February 15, Saturdays

Classes take place at the McGuigan Arts Academy
$150 per subject per student

9:00am YOUNG CREATORS CLUB ages 5 - 7
10:15am UPCYCLIN’ ART ages 8+
11:30am BASICS OF MUSICAL THEATRE ages 8+
12:45pm READY, SET, IMPROV! ages 8+
2:00pm A LITTLE PLAYWRITING ages 8+

Classes are 60 minutes long for 6 consecutive weeks.

Discover a world of creativity and fun with classes for young performers and artists! From exploring the basics of musical theatre and improvisation to crafting art from recycled materials, kids will build confidence, teamwork, and self-expression. Younger students can dive into playful acting and crafts in the Young Creators Club, while older kids develop storytelling skills in playwriting or spontaneous acting through improv. Each class culminates in an exciting showcase or presentation, celebrating the talents and growth of every participant!


ACTING UP!
January 22 - May 7, BPS Early release days

In collaboration with Bennington Community Theatre for Middle School students. Classes take place at the Bennington Public Library and St. John’s Church.
$95 per student

Wednesday January 22, 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday February 5, 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday March 5, 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday April 9, 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday April 22, 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday May 7, 1pm - 3pm

Classes are held on BPS early release days.

Get ready to take center stage in Acting Up! In this hands-on acting acts, students will work together to rehearse and bring a full show to life in just six classes! From the first script read-through to final performance, students will dive into character development, plot creation, and teamwork as they prepare for the public performance.


SPRING BREAK CAMP:
There’s No Business Like Show Business: A Play in a Week
March 17 - 21, Monday - friday

Classes take place at the McGuigan Arts Academy
$250 per person | $75 after care (optional)

Monday - Friday, March 17 - 21, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Students will be divided into groups based on their age. For students ages 8+.

Final performance will be Friday, March 21st at 3:30pm. The performance is free and open to friends & family.

Over the course of one week, students will experience the entire production process, from auditions to rehearsals to the final performance. Along the way, they’ll develop teamwork, communication, and confidence as they work together to bring a 10-minute play to life. On the last day, they’ll take center stage to perform for an audience of family and friends.


Summer camps
June & July, Full week & Saturdays

FULL WEEK CAMPS
Classes take place at the McGuigan Arts Academy
$250 Full Week Camps
$150 Half Day Camps

June 2 - 6 SUMMER ARTS LAB ages 8 - 11
June 9 - 13 ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE ages 8 - 11
June 16 - 20 SUMMER ARTS LAB ages 8 - 11
June 23 - 27 DO-RE-MINI! CONSTRUCTING A MINI-MUSICAL REVUE ages 12+
June 30 - July 20 COMPANY CLASS ages 9 - 18
July 21 - 25 ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE ages 8 - 11
July 28 - Aug 1 THEATRE MAKERS: BEHIND THE SCENES & CENTER STAGE ages 12+

Camps run Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm. Half Day Camps available for Summer Arts Lab and All The World’s a Stage.

SATURDAY CAMPS
Classes take place at the McGuigan Arts Academy
$100 4-week camp
$35 Drop-in classes

June 7 - 28 YOUNG CREATORS CLUB ages 5 - 7
July 12 YOUNG CREATORS CLUB THEATRE DROP-IN CLASS ages 5 - 7
July 19 YOUNG CREATORS CLUB MUSIC DROP-IN CLASS ages 5 - 7
July 26 YOUNG CREATORS CLUB ART DROP-IN CLASS ages 5 - 7

June camp runs 9am - 12pm for four consecutive Saturdays.
July classes are single day, drop-in classes from 10am - 11am.

PRIVATE LESSONS


ART

$250 4-week class package or monthly subscription
Ages 6+
Lessons are 60 minutes each for 4-weeks. Monthly lessons are renewed every 4-weeks.
Instructors: Mia Dempsey
Find your inner artist and learn to be the next Vincent van Gogh or Jean-Michel Basquiat!  Work on techniques such as hatching, cross-hatching, shading, and stippling, as well as exploring the seven principles of art: line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color. Supplies are included in the price of tuition. 


ACTING

$50 for a single class | $200 monthly subscription
Ages 8 - 18
Monthly lessons are renewed every 4-weeks. Lessons are 60 minutes.
Instructor: Abby Custer
Explore personal techniques to creating compelling, complex characters. Curriculum topics include cold readings, monologue preparation, script analysis and developing the emotional and physical life of a character. The scripts studied in the class will be inspired by the students’ literary, theatre, film and television interests.


AUDITION PREP

$50 for a single class | Not available for a monthly subscritpion
Ages 8+

Instructor: Assigned based on Audition needs
Would you like additional help while getting ready for an audition? Whether it be selecting and rehearsing a song, practicing a monologue, creating a resume, preparing for a dance combination or creating a video submission, we’ll provide the extra set of eyes and ears to help you strengthen your skills in advance!


SONGWRITING

$50 for a single class | $150 monthly subscription
Ages 12 - 18
Monthly lessons are renewed every 4-weeks. Lessons are 60 minutes.
Instructor: Matthew McGuigan
Work with a Rave On Productions professional musician as you focus on basic songwriting styles and techniques. Over the course of sessions, different songwriting methods will be presented so students can learn to develop the necessary skills to compose lyrics and music. The instructor will help the student focus on melody writing and lyric structure, while encouraging the development of their own personal musical identity and critical listening skills.


MUSIC LESSONS

$50 for a single class | $200 monthly subscription
Monthly lessons are renewed every 4-weeks. Lessons are 30 minutes.
Questions? Email us at
kate@billymcguigan.com.


GUITAR

Ages 8+
Instructors: Collin Smith
Fingers to the strings, strings to the frets, let’s rock! Learn skills from rich and diverse styles and genres! Providing all skill levels of instruction in rock, pop, blues, country and classical.

Piano

Ages 6+
Instructors: Elaine Stoner, Christian Shields
Ben Folds or Beethoven, keys are for you! Students will learn the basics of piano technique, music theory and music reading. From that foundation, students will be able to explore different genres and styles that interest them such as classical, pop, rock, musical theater or jazz.

VOICE

Ages 7+
Instructors: Matthew McGuigan, Elaine Stoner, Ejanae Hume
Vocalize boldly! Begin your journey on how to sing using healthy vocal techniques in a range of styles including rock, pop, musical theatre and more. From beginners to advanced, students will receive tailored instruction based on their voice goals and needs. Lessons include warm-ups, exercises and rehearsing songs.

VIOLIN

Ages 5+
Instructor: Ejanae Hume
Fiddling with the basics of violin? Take it further into music theory, music reading and beyond! From a fun and interactive foundation, students will be able to explore different genres and styles that interest them such as classical, pop and rock.

BASS

Ages 7+
Instructors: Matthew McGuigan
Keep that low end groovy and jam the bass! All levels and music tastes are welcome. McGuigan Arts Academy is bringing you knowledgeable and fun ways to expand what this instrument has to offer.

DRUMS

Ages 6+
Instructor: Derek Bird
Realize your rhythmic retention by mastering the art of the groove! The heartbeat of any great ensemble comes from the drums, and our experienced teachers are here to guide you on your percussive journey. All skill levels are welcome, so sign up today and make some noise!

WOODWINDS (clarinet, flute, saxophone)

Ages 12+
Instructor: Andrew Sprague
Come explore what makes these instruments such an integral part in the many settings they champion!  The incredible sounds within the woodwind family will be yours to create, offering all levels of instruction in saxophone, and beginner levels in flute and clarinet.  Our academy lesson goers will learn through foundational instruction tactics like note reading and retention, as well as playing the varied styles and genres throughout these instrument’s histories.

Photo from 2023 student summer showcase concert at the Benson Theatre.