Zoom-based lessons to be offered to new and existing students
Razzamataz Theatre Schools’ classes will be taking place online after the Easter holidays, a move made in response to the closure of schools following the COVID-19 outbreak.
The company’s franchised network provides dance, drama and singing classes for students aged four to 18.
Denise Hutton-Gosney, managing director and founder of Razzamataz, says: “This is a very confusing time for children and exceptionally challenging for families trying to maintain some sort of structure.
“We get hundreds of testimonials from students and their families to say that Razzamataz is the highlight of their week, so we’ve thought long and hard about how we can keep our families and their communities safe and still deliver the service to children that they love.”
Taking place via Zoom and open to new and existing students, there will be a small charge for the lessons to cover the cost of putting them on.
They will replicate a real class as much as possible, with dedicated time for children to ask their teachers questions, connect with their classmates and become confident performers on screen.
As well as regular lessons, fitness classes that parents can join in with and sessions focusing on coping with isolation will be available too.
Razzamataz confirmed there will be a pay as you go option with no monthly commitment or direct debit, so families can dip in and out depending on their circumstances.
“We believe that taking our classes online will give children some stability and allow them to continue to enjoy their performing arts,” Denise says.
“By participating in our online classes, they can maintain their close connections with their Razzamataz family, be physically active and be challenged mentally too.
“It’s a horrible and scary time for everyone, but we hope we can bring joy, structure and fitness challenges in these difficult times. We want to get everyone moving, singing, bring a little light relief and reach out to as many people as possible.
“We’ve already been contacted by parents who don’t have children currently in our schools, but who are desperately looking at ways they can be engaged in small class sizes and actively learn.”
Razzamataz is currently creating a webinar for principals to learn more about its online lessons and strategy for term three.