Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at St John's Church Hall on Hills Road, Cambridge (CB2 8RN). The 4–7s class is Thursdays 4pm–5pm; the 7–12s class follows immediately at 5:05pm–6:05pm. Every child can attend one free trial session before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform's Thursday classes at St John's Church Hall, Hills Road have been running since October 2022. Two back-to-back sessions serve different age groups: 4–7s from 4pm to 5pm, then 7–12s from 5:05pm to 6:05pm. The class is led by Producer Meg alongside Teacher Victoria, and Area Partner Sophie visits the venue regularly.
Each 60-minute session moves through three distinct sections rather than sitting and watching. For the 4–7s this summer — the theme is Mermaids & Pirates — that means quick-reaction dance games and yoga-inspired movement, specially composed songs and tongue-twisters, then character work and storytelling. The 7–12s are working through The Dream, a reworked take on A Midsummer Night's Dream, developing vocal projection, physical presence and ensemble skills across acting, movement and singing. Perform builds its own songs, games and dances within each term's theme, so no session repeats. The rolling curriculum also means a child can join mid-term without missing a foundational block.
Classes are capped at 22 children and always run with two Perform staff members in the room. The curriculum is built around four areas Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven through every activity. Parents receive a weekly email from the Producer outlining that week's focus, and a personalised Feedback Form, written by the Producer and signed by Perform's Principal Lucy Quick, details each child's progress.
Blocks are sold in sets of 10 or 20 consecutive classes; parents can also renew to the end of term or pay monthly by Direct Debit. A bursary scheme is available, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers. The current summer term at this venue runs from 16th April to 16th July, with no session on Thursday 28th May.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we try a class before buying a block?
Yes. Every child is entitled to one free trial session. Book through Perform's website by searching for the St John's Church Hall venue, or call the office directly.
Which class should my child join — 4–7s or 7–12s?
The 4–7s group runs Thursdays 4pm–5pm. The 7–12s group runs straight after, 5:05pm–6:05pm, and takes children up to twelve. Perform note that for the older group, previous experience and character matter more than exact age — so if your child is near either boundary, it is worth asking Meg directly when you book the trial.
How are classes structured and what will my child actually do?
Each session moves through three sections. For 4–7s: movement and dance games, songs and tongue-twisters, then imaginative roleplay and storytelling. For 7–12s: acting and improvisation, ensemble movement, then speech and singing. The theme changes each term — this summer the 4–7s follow Mermaids & Pirates and the 7–12s tackle The Dream, inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, children can join at any point in the term.
How does booking work, and what happens if we miss a session?
Classes are booked in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions. Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block, but a make-up system allows attendance at another Perform venue subject to availability. Refunds are not offered; cancelling with at least three days' notice generates a credit on your account for use against future Perform products. If a child restarts after cancelling, a minimum of 10 consecutive classes must be purchased.
Who teaches the class and what are their qualifications?
At this venue, Producer Meg leads sessions alongside Teacher Victoria. Perform teachers are working actors, selected through an audition process and vetted with verbal and written references plus a full DBS check. They train in classroom delivery, risk assessment and health and safety, and undergo regular First Aid courses focused on children and babies. All staff receive termly refresher training and evaluations.
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