Youth Lyric's Mission
Youth Lyric's mission is to provide the very best quality education experience for young
people from every background in Northern Ireland. We provide excellence in Performing
Arts training-enriching the lives of our students, whilst promoting self-confidence and
personal development.
We are comminted to providing a unique and valuable experience for young people through the
employment of highly qualified professional tutors with a track record of achievement in education
and the Performing Arts industry.
Background
Youth Lyric's is one of the biggest preforming arts schools in Northern Ireland, With over 300
students attending weekly classes in Belfast and Antrim. Young people from all areas of Belfast attend classes.
Students also attend from Armagh, Lisburn, Downpatrick, Randalstown, Carrickfergus, Carryduff. Crumlin, Glengormley, Holywood,
bangor, Whiteabbey, Dundonald, Stoneyford and Saintfield.
Towards the end of the 1993/94 academic year we became aware that there was a substantial interest in the performing arts in the
Antrim area and classes were started in Clotworthy Arts Centre in Antrim.
Arthur Webb was director of Youth Lyric for 15 years until 1993. He saw the academy grow from a small two class unit to a
thriving eight class drama school with a waiting list for places in all groups. In September 1993 Aidan Browne, a former
Youth Lyric student in the late seventies and Youth Lyric tutor since 1986, was appointed as director.
In August 2002 Youth Lyric became an independent arts organisation, following a decision by the board of the Lyric Theatre
to withdraw financial support for our work.
The smooth running of the school is due to the partnerships between students, parents and Youth Lyric staff.
We greatly value the ongoing support and encouragement of Youth Lyric parents.
Principal Aims
One of our Principal aims at the Youth Lyric is to give young peoplea greater self confidence and increased communication skills. It is our firm belief that the skills acquired through study of the preforming arts, ie confidence, assertiveness and ability to meet deadlines, are in life skills that can transfer into a variety of professional and social situations. We value every student and want each one to reach full potential and greatly enjoy there time with us.
Facilities and Resources
Youth Lyric runs classes in public buildings which are clean and
well heated. Our primary concern is for the security and safety
of our students. For this reason we ask that all those driving
cars exercise caution when dropping off and collecting
students. We also request that students are collected promptly
at the end of classes.
We have had a number of generous sponsors over the years,
including Belfast City Council, the Enkalon Foundation and
businesses sponsoring cups. We always welcome financial
support and support in kind and are happy to discuss
associations between Youth Lyric and Businesses. Youth Lyric Association
The Youth Lyric Parents Association provides practical and
fund-raising support for our work. Activities include selling
ballot tickets and assisting with front of house duties of Youth
Lyric presentations and the festival. The group also organises
one or two fund raising events per year.
Class Content
Drama is about doing! Our classes ensure that the process if
performing arts is paramount. Typically classes involve mime,
improvisation, group activities and small performances within
each group. These are non-competitive and students are not
graded or awarded marks for any work they do. The Saturday
classes at Stranmillis contain a mixture of dance-drama and
improvisation / acting techniques.
Master Classes
Drama is about doing! Our classes ensure that the process if
performing arts is paramount. Typically classes involve mime,
improvisation, group activities and small performances within
each group. These are non-competitive and students are not
graded or awarded marks for any work they do. The Saturday
classes at Stranmillis contain a mixture of dance-drama and
improvisation / acting techniques.
Class Times – Antrim
Tuesday - 4-5 pm - 7-11 yrs
Tuesday - 5-6 pm - 12-16 yrs
Class Times – Belfast
Monday - 5-6 pm - 7-11 yrs
Monday - 6-7 pm - 7-11 yrs
Friday - 5-6 pm - 12-16 yrs
Friday - 6-7 pm - 12-16 yrs
Saturday - 9-10 am - 5-6 yrs
Saturday - 10-11 am - 7-11 yrs
Saturday - 11-12 noon - 12-16 yrs
Saturday - 12-1 pm - 12-16 yrs
Saturday - 1-2 pm - 12-16 yrs
Fees and Scholarships
Each student pays a fee of £65.00 for 12 x 1 hour classes. We
believe that this compares favourably with other group
activities.
Some financial scholarships are available for students in
financial difficulty. Priority goes to families with more than one
child attending Youth Lyric classes. A scholarship form is issued
to every student at the start of each term. These are then
posted to Mrs Carson and dealt with in the strictest confidence.
No-one in Youth Lyric classes knows who is on a scholarship
and we encourage individuals to apply for the small number of
full scholarships and a greater number for half scholarships
which are won throughout the year.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for Youth Lyric.
The most important thing is that students want to come and join us.
Everyone is entitled to a taster session when they can decide
wether participation in Youth Lyric is for them. Many students
come to Youth Lyric classes with experience of school plays and
work in professional productions. However, many of our pupils
join Youth Lyric with no experience, just a healthy interest in
the subject area. This is equally acceptable and valuable.
Festival
One of the most enjoyable parts of our work at the Youth Lyric
is the staging of the annual Youth Lyric Festival. Every student
who is a member of Youth Lyric gets the oppurtunity to perform
on stage at a professional venue, for parents, friends and
family members. The emphasis is on a non-competitive
celebration of the performing arts in the very broadest sense.
Classes present poetry, improvisation and dance drama and
recieve words of encouragement and guidance from an
adjudicator.
While the emphasis is on the non-competitive
approach (only Youth Lyric students are allowed to participate
in the festival), we do award cups and shields for outstanding
effort and achievement on the part of the students.