Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform holds weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at Harpenden United Reformed Church, Vaughan Road (AL5 4ED), every Saturday — 4–7s at 9:30am and 7–12s at 11:15am. Every child can attend a free trial class before committing to a block.
Harpenden United Reformed Church · AL5 4EDIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been running Saturday classes at Harpenden United Reformed Church since September 2021. The 4–7s group meets at 9:30am and wraps up at 11:00am; the 7–12s slot follows at 11:15am through to 12:45pm — a useful arrangement if you have children in both age brackets. This summer term, the 4–7s are sailing aboard the Jammy Dodger in a Mermaids & Pirates theme, while the 7–12s are working through The Dream — Perform's take on what the provider calls Shakespeare's most popular play. Two staff members run every class: teacher Maisie J and producer Lewis, with area partner Jade overseeing the broader Harpenden programme.
Each session weaves together three distinct strands. Younger children move through drama games and yoga-inspired exercises that build coordination and balance, learn specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps, then shift into character explorations and storytelling improvisations. Older children work on vocal projection, physicality and accents in the acting strand; progress through group movement work into more technical dance; and develop articulation and sight-reading in the speech and singing section, where small group sizes mean most children get a solo or featured moment. Class numbers are capped at 22, with two Perform staff present throughout.
The curriculum is built around four skills Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity, however playful it looks from the sidelines. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, there is no need to wait for a new term to start: children can join whenever a place is available. Parents receive a weekly email from the producer detailing that session's focus, and personalised feedback forms written by the producer and signed by principal Lucy Quick are sent home during the term.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we try a session before signing up?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial class with no obligation to enrol. You can book through the Perform website, by phone, or through your class producer.
Which age group should my child join?
The two groups are 4–7s (Saturdays 9:30–11:00am) and 7–12s (Saturdays 11:15am–12:45pm). In the younger group, mixed ages are intentional: older children gain leadership skills by influencing activities, while younger ones are stretched by the pace around them. In the older group, previous experience matters less than character and readiness, so exact age is a guide rather than a strict rule.
How are classes booked and paid for?
Classes are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions. There is also an option to renew to the end of term at a slightly higher per-class rate, or to pay monthly by Direct Debit. A bursary scheme is available, and childcare vouchers are accepted. New customers who join the Perform mailing list receive £30 off their first block of ten classes.
What happens if my child misses a session?
Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block. A make-up system allows children to attend a class at a different Perform venue — subject to availability — while they are still enrolled.
What does a typical Saturday session involve?
Every week has a different focus, but each class combines drama and improvisation work, movement and dance, and speech with singing. For the 4–7s this term the activities are threaded through the Mermaids & Pirates story; for 7–12s it is The Dream, Perform's take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. Each session is run by two Perform staff throughout.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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