Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at WGC Quaker Meeting House, 109 Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City (AL8 6SP). The 4–7s class is on Wednesdays 4pm–5pm; the 7–12s class follows at 5:05pm–6:05pm. The current summer term runs from 15 April to 15 July. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block — no payment required upfront.
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About this class
Perform's Wednesday sessions at WGC Quaker Meeting House run back-to-back: 4–7s from 4pm to 5pm, followed by 7–12s from 5:05pm to 6:05pm. The classes are led by Jessica, with Meg as teacher, and Area Partner Sophie oversees the local venues. This summer, the 4–7s are setting off on a Mermaids & Pirates adventure, while the 7–12s are working through The Dream — Perform's take on A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Each hour-long session is divided into three distinct sections. For younger children, Move & Feel covers dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired exercises that build coordination and balance; Listen, Speak & Sing introduces specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps; and Create & Imagine uses character explorations, storytelling and role-play improvisations to develop concentration and speaking skills. Older children move through Acting & Improvising — drama games, vocal projection, physicality and accents that build presence and public-speaking skills — plus Movement & Dance and Speech & Singing, where small group sizes mean most children take on a solo or featured role. Perform writes its own songs, games and dances around each term's theme, so no two terms cover the same ground.
The whole curriculum is built around four areas Perform calls the 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. These are woven into every activity rather than treated as separate objectives. Class sizes are capped at 22 children and two Perform staff members are present at every session. Because the curriculum is rolling, children can start at any point during the term — there is no waiting for a new cohort to open.
Teachers at Perform are typically working actors, selected through a lengthy audition covering singing, dancing, acting and working with children. Each goes through reference checks and a full DBS check, completes a basic teaching module and advanced Producer training (covering risk assessments and health and safety), and attends regular First Aid courses focused on children. Termly refresher training follows. Parents receive a personalised feedback form, written by the Producer and signed by Principal Lucy Quick, along with a weekly email summarising that session's focus. Three times a year, family and friends are invited to half-termly Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations where children share what they have been working on.
When it runs
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Common questions
Can we try a class before committing?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial session — you can see what the class is like before paying for a block. Book online at perform.org.uk or call 020 7255 9120.
Which age group should my child join?
The two classes cover 4–7s and 7–12s. In the younger group, the mixed age range is intentional: children at the lower end are stretched and stimulated by the group, while older children develop early leadership skills. For the 7–12s, character and previous experience matter more than exact age, so it is worth a conversation with the team if your child sits on the boundary.
How does booking work, and what are the payment options?
Classes are booked in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions. You can also renew to the end of term at a slightly higher per-class rate, or pay monthly by Direct Debit. Sibling discounts are available, and Perform runs a bursary scheme for families who need support. New customers who sign up to the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes. Childcare vouchers are accepted — call the office for details.
What if we have to miss a session?
Missed classes cannot be added to the end of a block under any circumstances. Perform does operate a make-up system, however: your child can attend a session at another venue, subject to availability, as long as they remain enrolled.
Are there performances?
Three times a year — at half-term and at the end of each term — family and friends are invited to Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations. Holiday courses include mini-performances. Perform also stages named shows, including Mermaids & Pirates and The Dream, and runs a summer West End show.
What should my child wear?
Comfortable clothes they can move freely in are all that is needed. Each session combines drama, dance and singing, so there is no formal kit requirement — just nothing that will restrict movement.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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