Aylesbury

Principal – Kym Eden

I am thrilled to have been the Principal of the Aylesbury Pauline Quirke Academy for two years now and have watched the children’s performance and confidence grow immensely during this time.

I have always loved performing, be it dancing or acting, and it is a huge part of my life. I regularly appear in local community shows with various drama groups which keeps me busy! I have been dancing and acting since I could walk, and I now choreograph for adults. I am delighted to have the opportunity to assist other children in fulfilling their ambitions. Watching the enjoyment they get from the classes often reminds me of how I used to be, coming out beaming after a dance class or a drama show. Not only does PQA provide the children with the opportunity to learn new skills, it also provides them with life-long friendships.

The Pauline Quirke academy is unlike other performing arts academy; it provides children with the opportunity to not only learn skills for the stage, but also an “in-front-of and behind the camera” experience. I wish there had been academies offering such a broad spectrum as this when I was a student. Being given the opportunity to see your film and your face on a cinema screen really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and something to treasure forever.

I am delighted with the on going success of the Aylesbury academy, which, in no small part, is down to the fantastic teachers on my team. We are a small team of young, friendly adults, with a wealth of experienced in the fields in which we teach. We are like an extended family and our students become a part of this family, in turn the students give us so much energy and enthusiasm making for a magical experience every Saturday! For us, PQA is not a job; it is simply doing what we love most!

Jason – Comedy & Drama

I have always had a love of acting and have been actively involved with local drama groups since the age of 11. At the age of 14 I helped run a junior theatre Group and by the age of 16 I had taken over the running of it. In the years between 16 and 19, when I left to study Theatre and Media at Plymouth University, I both produced and directed numerous children’s shows such as Bugsy Malone and Dazzle. I am still heavily involved with local theatre and have performed in venues such as the Wycombe Swan and The Chesham Elgiva. I certainly think that Drama is very important to Children’s social development, speaking from personal experience, I have seen shy and Quiet children come out of their shell and interact with the other children in ways that you thought they would never do under normal classroom situations, also at the other end of the scale, I have seen hyperactive and ‘loud’ children focus their energies on theatre and engage in something productive. I am Proud to be part of PQA and I look forward to working with you very soon.

Nicola – Musical Theatre

Having just got married I decided it was time to play the devoted wife and leave my professional performing career behind me. So when I heard that a new academy was opening in Aylesbury I jumped at the chance to become one of their teachers. With a CV boasting many musical theatre roles I believed that the next best job to performing myself was teaching others to perform in the discipline I love so much.

I has thoroughly enjoyed working with the talented children at PQA Aylesbury since September 2008 and am so full of pride watching their weekly progression.

Since April 2009 I have been on maternity leave and am eager to return to direct the summer school musical and continue working with PQA in September.

Nicola says: Working at PQA is not a job to me; I turn up each Saturday and get to sing, dance and have fun. The children at PQA Aylesbury are so friendly and I have met some very interesting people, I am learning so much from them. Come and join in the fun !!!

Adam – Film & Television

Since starting in the film industry as a runner in the late 1990′s, Adam has gone on to a successful and varied career as an Assistant Director, and more recently as a Producer and Director. He combines an innovative approach with a solid background in both mainstream and independent film production. His credits as an AD include films such as Bridget Jones Diary, Vanity Fair, Basic Instinct 2, Revolver and The Libertine, and TV dramas including Spooks, Demons, Jonathan Creek, Lock Stock, Terry Pratchett’s Hogfather and many more.

With his production company, Angelic Films, Adam has produced and/or directed more than 50 short films, music videos, commercials and virals since 2001. Several of Angelic’s shorts have gone on to international success at film festivals around the world. He continues to develop and produce films for a range of commercial clients, and is currently developing a feature project slated for production in 2010.

Adam is very pleased to be a part of the team at PQA Aylesbury, and is looking forward to the new term in September.

Catherine – Poppets

I have always loved performing & at three years old started dance classes with my big sisters, studying tap, ballet, modern, disco & gymnastic dance. When I was seven I joined theJoanBarnesTheatreSchool, I couldn’t wait for Saturday to come round when we would spend all day having fun whilst learning Speech, Drama & Dance. I worked my way through the L.A.M.D.A exams, took part in many stage productions, festivals & competitions over the years–loving every bit of it.

I’ve continued to enjoy performing as an adult, having been a member of Holmer Green Players for over 20 years – taking part in, directing & choreographing many shows.

I am so excited about teaching PQA Poppets in Aylesbury; it’s such a great age group to introduce to drama & music. I know, as a Mum and having run Holmer Green Players Juniors for 10 years, how to combine fun & learning (plus how to control a group of excited children!!) and how the confidence it gives kids can help them in many ways throughout their life.

Kat- Poppets

I started dance classes from a very young age, learning ballet, tap, modern and acrobatics. I took many exams in RAD, ISTD and UTD. I was lucky enough to dance in a variety of different competitions, including representing the UK in America and Japan as well as performing in many stage shows organised by the dance schools I attended in Norwich. I took up drama when I was 10 and regularly attended classes, completed exams and entered competitions.

I graduated from Chichester University College in August 2000 with a BA (Hons) Dance and Education with Qualified Teacher Status. Since becoming a primary teacher I have organised many performances with the after school classes that I ran in gymnastics, dance and recorders. I have also arranged, in collaboration with the classes that I have taught, assemblies that involve aspects of dance, drama, singing and movement.

I love teaching children and feel really lucky to be able to teach all the things I love to do myself during poppets sessions. I know that my teaching experience enables me to bring out the best in the children I work with at poppets and I enjoy nurturing their creativity and imagination. I also take pleasure in passing on my singing, drama and dancing expertise and sharing my enthusiasm for all areas of the creative arts.

Stephanie – Poppets & Musical Theatre

I have been attending PQA Aylesbury since it opened and am now thrilled to be taking on a teaching role. I have always had a passion for performing and love meeting new people with the same interest. During my time at Amersham and Wycombe college I have been in shows such as ’42nd street’, ‘I love you you’re perfect now change’, ‘Two’ and ‘The Secret Garden’. After recently finishing the BTEC National Diploma course in Musical Theatre I have been in ‘West Side Story’ at the Wycombe Swan and I am auditioning for Drama Schools.

I use to be a shy, quiet girl but PQA has played a big part in lifting my confidence. I have met some amazing people here who I know will still be in contact in the future. What I love most about PQA is no matter where your talent lies, whether Acting, Singing, Dancing or Film-making it has something for everyone and is also a place to have fun and learn with new friends.

I am very proud to be a part of this academy. I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Molly – Runner & Musical Theatre

I began working at PQA Aylesbury in January 2011 as a runner for the younger groups and am thrilled to now be covering the Musical Theatre class while the regular teacher is on maternity leave.

I am wishing to pursue a career in the performing arts industry following the completion of my BTEC National Extended Diploma in Performing arts at the Arts Educational school in Tring. I have found working for PQA has helped me to develop my teaching abilities whilst providing me with the opportunity to impart recently acquired skills to students with a similar interest.

Through Arts Education, I have been able to gain a wide range of experience and have been fortunate enough to work with West End professionals on a regular occasion so am very aware of ‘the business’ and aim to give that same sense of inspiration and passion to Musical Theatre as I experience.

I thoroughly enjoy working for PQA and have been able to meet some supremely talented children who demonstrated this gift to me while working with them on their pieces for their West End performance. Having only really come out of my shell while at a weekend drama school similar to PQA I know how important it is to treat each child as an individual as they all have different skills, abilities and needs to be met and nurtured. I find it extremely satisfying when I see a general improvement in each group, which I do every week and I look forward to seeing everyone’s confidence growing more.