Child 1 Age 9 - 11 (Female)
Program(s) focused in Musical Theatre
Child 2 Age 8 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Musical Theatre
(5) Overall experience
My daughter has done five shows with ARTSies and my son just recently joined, as well. I am not one to write reviews, but it just goes to show how incredible Libby, Joey, and the ARTSies family are. This program not only develops musical and theatre skills, but more importantly, it also fosters incredible life skills kids can carry throughout all aspects of life – confidence, working with different ages/personalities, hard work/discipline, how to support one another, being present in the moment, the art of letting go, and simply having fun!
My kids have been involved in other programs like dance and sports, but Artsies differs in that it provides kids with a space where they are encouraged to embrace and bring their own unique personalities to the stage. Libby and Joey ensure that each child can shine in their own way. In a world where there is so much comparison and competition, ARTSies is a breath of fresh air and what children need more of.
On a practical note, the program is incredibly well-run and organized. Key dates and calendars are sent out right at the beginning of the session and weekly updates are sent to make sure everyone is on the same page. Kids are expected to be on top of their roles and responsibilities. So in addition to all the soft skills mentioned, kids are also learning to be accountable to themselves and each other.
(5) Reason for choosing the camp
I was attracted to the ARTSies program because I was looking for an alternative to the traditional dance and gymnastics programs for my daughter. Although she loves to dance, her experience with dance is that she is to look and move like everyone else. With the ARTsies program, each child can bring their own uniqueness and individuality to each session and to the show.
I chose this camp over others because it came highly recommended by a family friend. Libby and Joey are great at teaching the kids but also very organized and responsive from a business perspective.
Yes absolutely, the experience was well worth the investment. All costs were all communicated upfront. Unlike some programs, there were no hidden performance fees, costume fees etc. Libby and Joey are very transparent and honest about costs, schedules, status of the show etc.
(5) Program quality and activities
The itinerary aligned well with my children's interests as it encompassed dance, singing, and acting.
Both my children found all of the activities enjoyable. Because each show is so different, my daughter has been able to work on various roles, elements of acting, styles of singing and dancing.
ARTSies ensures the quality and effectiveness of their program through their open, honest, and diligent weekly communications.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
Yes, my children formed many new friendships and felt like they were part of a family at ARTSies. There were no issues with regard to bullying or inclusion. Libby and Joey ensure to address that at the beginning of each session and throughout. Libby even shared a video sharing her experience with bullying and teaching the kids how to address it.
(5) Skills and growth
Skills that my children learned in this program were confidence, teamwork, kindness, acting, singing, dancing, and improvisation.
Each session, Libby and Joey make sure that they gently push my children outside of their comfort zone to grow. For example, over the sessions, my daughter took on more lines and lead roles. This was done with the utmost care, support, and consideration.
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
Libby and Joey are exceptional at what they do. They also help nurture and support youth who are truly passionate about musical theatre. This can be seen by how many of the older kids come back to help out.
The two of them are incredibly responsive to emails, texts, and calls. We did not experience any conflicts but I am sure that it would be handled with great care and timeliness.
(5) Advice and tips
I would tell someone who was considering this camp to just sign up and try it. At the start of each session, there is a trial class where there is an option to bring a friend, which I think is great. When both my children went for their first time, they felt comfortable and welcome right away and had no hesitations about signing up.
We recently wrapped up our second show with Artsies. Being part of the Artsies family has been fantastic for my kids. Both of them started out very shy, and seeing their growth - getting up on stage s...
Since our kids were old enough to attend camp, we’ve tried a wide range and ARTSies is still our number one ranked. Our kids are always excited to attend, they come back each day with stories of the...
After attending a summer performance of Peter Pan, my daughter was instantly drawn to the opportunity to explore performance and creative arts further and after reading some reviews we signed her up.
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