A NEW arts academy will open in Bendigo next year with the hopes of bridging the gap for performers hoping to pursue the arts in Melbourne.
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The Adam Lyon Academy of Arts will offer classes in drama, vocals and dance and be open to anyone over the age of 15.
Founder Adam Lyon said the academy will start out small to gauge the interest of performers around the region.
“All skill levels are welcome and the hope is that the academy can provide some genuinely industry-standard educational opportunities for regional Victorians,” he said.
“The hope is that there will be enough interest to add more stuff soon but first step is to get up and running.”
Lyon has worked in the performing arts industry for 15 years, starred in King Kong and is the outgoing artistic director of Bendigo South East College’s Academy of Arts.
Born and raised in Bendigo, Lyon knows first-hand the difficulty in following the arts as a career.
“When I was in Bendigo, I had to wait until I got out (for more opportunities). But how good would that have been to not have to leave,” he said.
“You don't have to be focused on pursuing a career in performing arts (to join classes), but if you do want that, I want to make sure that what I'm putting forward could allow that to happen.
“Overall, it's very much aimed at cultivating the joy of performance and I want it to be something that, if someone is inclined to pursue a performing arts career, that's an option.”
With his industry experience he is aiming to attract teachers and coaches from Melbourne to train Bendigo’s thespians.
“One of the things I’d like to see is the academy becoming a draw card for professional Melbourne artists, who are off-contract, to come to Bendigo to teach people who live here,’ he said.
“It's about people (of all ages and skills) who want to work harder and learn more being able to do that with people who (already) have that information and training.”
Classes are set to start at the end of January. For more information or to register your interest email casey.barc@gmail.com
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