Ah! Tempo After-School Program Returns
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, young Bermudian performers were able to take advantage of a celebrated show choir summer performing arts program, where they had their talents stretched and honed by rehearsing and staging an original piece of locally developed musical theatre.
After 14 years, the program is now making its return in order to work with young performers
A spokesperson said, “Ah! Tempo is returning as a rigorous after-school program, which will transition into a full day camp during school breaks. Students can expect to have their performance talents thoroughly challenged and developed.
“They’ll be receiving supportive instruction from certified, consummate teachers in the areas of vocal technique, vocal styles, sight reading, dance and drama, and will be staging two productions a year.”
“There is nowhere on the island where our young, talented performers are able to receive explicit instruction in the vocal arts, dance, and drama, and then further develop that knowledge by actively participating in a creative process,” said Drama/Theatre Specialist and Program Director for Ah! Tempo, Rajai Denbrook.
“We couldn’t be more excited about engaging this new deeply talented generation; their skill, creativity and passion are very special, and they deserve to have them meaningfully engaged and developed.
“Perhaps most exciting is that our students will be creating the drama for their show. Using the prepared music as inspiration, and under the creative team’s guidance, they’ll be able to be a part of creating an entirely original piece of Bermudian Theatre that will be theirs in a very real and important way.
“We feel that it couldn’t be more important for our students to contribute to the creation of the piece that they’ll be performing.
“Many Ah! Tempo alumni can still be seen actively enriching the performing arts locally; for example, Dion Ming, who most recently portrayed Lumiere in Troika Bermuda’s acclaimed production of Beauty and the Beast, alongside Mr. Denbrook, who played Cogsworth, and gospel vocalist Tricray Astwood.”
“Ah! Tempo is intended for 9- to 14-year-olds, and will be holding three sets of auditions before their October mid-term intensive, with the first set for September 3 and September 4 from 3.00pm through 6.30pm.
“Prospective students must email ahtempobda@gmail.com or call 505.1159 with their name and age to schedule their audition and receive information on location.
“All students have to prepare one song, to be sung a capella for the panel. The second set of auditions are also tentatively scheduled for September 16 and 17. People are encouraged to like Ah! Tempo on Facebook and to follow them on Twitter to receive updates.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing the program back, and sincerely hope that many of our young performers will join our family and embark on this creative journey with us,” said Mr. Denbrook
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Category: All, Entertainment, Music
Brilliant! I love this! This everything this youth is the island need. Nothing against sports, but that’s All we hear about. It’s good to see what other talents we feed and support.
i’m so glad this is coming back. it was so much fun to be a part of and definitely something that would be beneficial to the island’s youth who enjoy this type of thing. good luck to you guys and i can’t wait until the first performance.
Well done Rajai! You are indeed a product of Ah!Tempo which has sorely been missed. I cannot wait to see the talent that we all know is here waiting to be exposed.