As the summer holidays draw to a close and families begin preparing for a new school year, local mum Quen Geuter has shared how discovering a Bath performing arts group has transformed life for her two daughters, helping them build confidence, friendships and a real sense of belonging.
For her oldest daughter, who is now heading into Year 8, communication has always been a unique journey. She did not speak until she was four, but long before words came, she communicated through music, vocalising songs including Humpty Dumpty, Mary Had a Little Lamb and even the Bob the Builder theme tune.
“Music is in her DNA,” Quen explained. “Our family was actually involved in the early pioneering days of music therapy for children with special educational needs and disabilities in the UK. Music and performance aren’t just hobbies for us – they are a lifeline.”
Her daughter attends Critchill School, a special school in Frome, but with classmates living across a wide area, finding local friendships and activities closer to home had proved difficult.
“Despite being an incredibly sociable girl, making local friends in our home community was a massive challenge,” Quen said. “I desperately wanted her to have something of her own to be proud of and a place to build local roots.”
That changed after a chance meeting at a Christmas get-together for local mums, where Quen met Carley Dawson, founder of The Performing Arts Institute.
After hearing about the Institute’s approach to singing, acting and dance, the family decided to give its Friday sessions a try.
During the first two-and-a-half-hour session, Quen’s oldest daughter wanted her mum sitting alongside her throughout the singing, acting and dancing. By the end of the session, however, things had changed dramatically.
“By the end of that first day, she literally kicked me out of the room!” Quen recalled.
The connection with the teachers was immediate. Her ideas were listened to and encouraged and before long she had even been appointed ‘Director’ of scenes from Matilda, enthusiastically instructing the rest of the class.
“The instant rapport she developed with the teachers was beautiful to witness,” said Quen. “Their respect and care for her was immediately evident. Nothing she suggested was ever dismissed or fobbed off.
“After just three months of attending, she had truly blossomed. Her singing was beautiful, her physical coordination and ability to follow dance steps had soared and she was thriving within the group dynamics.”
Just as importantly, she had finally made the local friends her family had hoped she would find.
Her younger sister was soon inspired to join too. Although naturally shy and careful, she also began to grow in confidence through the weekly sessions.
“Being dropped off for a two-and-a-half-hour session on a Friday evening might sound daunting and exhausting for a young child, but it has been anything but,” Quen said. “She has gained immense confidence, energy and joy.”
The sisters have since enjoyed performing together and developing their skills across singing, drama and dance, giving them a shared passion as well as an activity that each can enjoy in her own way.
Now, as the new school year approaches, Quen says the difference the experience has made stretches far beyond performing.
“I cannot rate Carley, the teachers and the entire setup at The Performing Arts Institute highly enough. It is not an exaggeration to say it has been life-changing for our family.”
The Performing Arts Institute provides inclusive training in drama, singing and dance for children and young people, with an emphasis on confidence, creativity, social skills and providing a nurturing environment in which children with different needs and abilities can take part.
The Institute’s teachers often talk about the idea that every child deserves ‘that’ teacher – someone who understands them, inspires them and gives them the confidence to pursue something they love.
For Quen and her family, finding a whole team of those teachers has given both daughters something particularly valuable to take with them into another school year.
“We feel incredibly lucky to have found them right on our doorstep.”
Find out more at The Performing Arts Institute.
