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Star Potential Studios - Article from Toronto4Kids.com
Lena Palermo has a long history of providing professional theatre training to students of all ages. You could even say she's been bitten by the theatre bug. After teaching performing arts for 14 years and heading the performing artsdepartment at an Arts School in B.C., she launched Star Potential, a studio for children and adults - so they too, could follow their own passion of performing.
Since opening in June 2007, the school offers high-quality training in a nurturing but professional atmosphere, and at an affordable rate. It was important that this type of program be accessible to those who really wanted to learn. The studio also helps kids with self-esteem and confidence issues. Students are encouraged to achieve all their goals - whatever they may be - from those looking for personal achievements to those looking for professional careers. Music and theatregive students lifelong skills that can provide them with enjoyment throughout their lives.
Says Palermo: "I wanted the opportunity to teach students who really wanted to pursue musical theatre as a career. I know that the earlier the children receive training, the more experience they will bring with them to professional auditions later in life. Not everyone has career goals though - I also have witnessed major student transformations from the confidence and self esteem that drama and musical theatre help to build! With bullying so predominant, this is very important!"
Star Potential offers classes in Musical Theatre, Acting, Voice, Guitar, Kinder Arts, Acting for Film, Audition Preparation,in addition to March Break and Summer Musical Theatre Camps. They also offer Private Coaching for Voice, Acting and Audition Preparation, and help prepare students seeking acceptance into arts schools.
Palermo understands the importance of training students who want to find work in Theatre. For this reason, the studio only employs entertainment industry experts who have a strong teaching background. This grooms students in the most professional way possible so they can learn all about 'the biz' and know exactly what to expect. She hopes to double her student roster so that she can bring in more guests artists of the highest calibre.
Next year, the school is launching a professional series of Matinee shows so that in the future, some of the children they have taught will have the opportunity to do specialized work with the company. Star Potential would also like to create a series of shows and workshops that will be presented to schools. Two major themes are being explored - learning about music and anti-bullying.
Palermo is proud to have opened a school that delivers locally produced musical theatre. "Students feel comfortable and right at home. It's become a big family! The coaching helps students find an identity, and builds their confidence and self esteem... all while getting great training!" And this pursuit of excellence has given the studio high success rations: 100% of privately taught students who auditioned for Arts High schools under Star Potential's guidance were accepted in their programs. Additionally, students who received private coaching to prepare them for the Kiwanis Festival, all placed 1st or 2nd in the competition.
Their achievement is undoubtedly a result of the talented and enthusiastic people who make up Star Potential. "We are a small studio so we can take time to really help students achieve individual goals. We can offer private coaching as well as classes. We really care because we are all professional performers and we have an incredible passion for theatre."
For more information on Star Potential, visit their website at: www.starpotentialstudios.com.
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Spaces still available at Theatre Camp
There are still some spots left in Star Potential Studios' March Break Theatre Camp as well as some roles available in its production of 'On Broadway,' which will be performed at the Village Playhouse this spring.
The students from the studio will be joined by professional actors, singers and dancers as well as amateurs from the west end community.
"We're still looking for a few adults, especially men," said Star Potential Studios Executive Director Lena Palermo, "for backstage and onstage."
It was important that she keep the production as local as possible. That's why she chose the Village Playhouse.
"I really want to build community," Palermo said.
Star Potential Studios has been open for less than a year and already it has opened doors and provided opportunities for west end children and adults alike.
Palermo hails from British Columbia. Her love of dance and music stems from a very young age.
"I started ballet when I was five and competitive singing when I was eight," she said.
Perhaps it was because her mother was a piano teacher that Palermo was such a natural and excelled in competition early on. She came to Ontario to pursue her education attending the University of Windsor where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre with honours. She achieved a Bachelor of Education at the University Western in vocal music and drama. Her education didn't end there. She also attended Julliard in New York for choral conducting. She taught in B.C. for 12 years before relocating to Toronto in 2004 to perform professionally.
"I did commercials, TV shows," said Palermo, "but I decided I missed teaching terribly."
That's when inspiration struck. That's when she decided to open her own studio.
Star Potential Studios opened on June 1 last year and since then, Palermo has created an extensive and varied selection of professionally-taught studio courses including musical theatre, acting, voice, guitar, film acting for ages 4 to adult.
"There are the kids whose parents want to keep them busy, interested and having fun and there are the kids who are pursuing the arts as a career," Palermo said.
She is proud to say that 100 percent of students she and her staff coached were accepted into the art school of their choice. Her students also placed well at the Kiwanis Music Festival taking first and second place honors.
But the arts are not all about competition and career. Palermo said she believes that musical theatre has many cognitive benefits such as improving memory and processing skills, physical movement - exercise, posture improvement - breath control which helps with relaxation and projecting the speaking and singing voice. As well, there are psychological advantages.
"The greatest benefit, in my opinion, is the increase in self-esteem and a positive mood," she said. "The arts gives them an identity."
If you are a community member who wants to get involved in classes, on stage, backstage, you can contact the studio at 416-354-2479 or send an e-mail through the website at www.starpotentialstudios.com.
