YORK musical director Sam Dunkley will run a week-long summer school at Woldgate College, Pocklington, under his Performing Arts Etc banner, from August 19 to 23.

From 9.30am to 4.30pm each day, Sam will be joined by professional theatre director Amanda Stalker and choreographer Toni Amanda Killingbeck at this project for eight to 16-year-olds, who have the opportunity to develop their acting, dancing and singing skills.

Participants do not need any experience, but must be enthusiastic and willing to work hard. Through the week-long workshops, they can build up self-confidence and teamwork skills and make new friends.

This month, Performing Arts Etc will focus on staging Honk!, George Stiles and Anthony’s Drewe’s musical version of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Ugly Duckling.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to spend a week working with a team of experienced practitioners to explore their own creativity in a supportive, friendly environment,” says Sam.

“The outcome is always fantastic and often takes the performers by surprise, as much as it impresses the audience of supportive families and friends.”

In addition, Performing Arts Etc will run a skill finding workshop for children aged five to nine on August 15 and 16, from 10am to 4pm. Over the two days, students will work with the team on songs and dances from musicals and pop with an emphasis on performance skills, self-confidence, team work and playing games.

Sam has worked across the country as a community musician, conducting at the Royal Albert Hall and for the Beverley Early Music Festival, and he runs projects for children and adults, lectures at universities, trains teachers, presents concerts and performs as a singer.

In July, he left Woldgate College after seven years of working there, latterly as community music co-ordinator.

Amanda is an associate director with Youth Music Theatre Scotland and has worked for the BBC; Toni is a practitioner for East Riding Youth Dance programme.

The Honk! summer school will cost £110 per child and the skill-finding workshop, £40 per child. The course practitioners will be supported throughout by a team of chaperones.

For a registration form, email info@performingartsetc.co.uk For more information on both courses, phone Sam on 07977 982 986.