Top Schools For Art, Music and the Performing Arts in the UAE. Part 1. The SchoolsCompared.com Guide for Parents..

Best School for the Performing Arts and Broader Arts Programmes Nomination 2021:

GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis

Web site: here.

Our review: here.

Contact information: here

Email: [email protected]

Phone:  +971 (0) 4 515 9000

 

Our rating:

Background

GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis provides a progression from the Early Years Foundation Stage through an enriched and developed National Curriculum for England into personalised qualification pathways, incorporating IGCSE, GCSE, IB, A’ Level and BTEC, the Academy looks to cultivate a spirit of cooperation, tolerance and mutual respect whilst encouraging individual students to feel that their unique contribution is valued.

The introduction of the Centre of Excellence for Performance and Theatre Tech is blending school, university and employment through hi-tech enabled pathways. Student pathways are designed from Foundation Stage through to Post 16 curriculum and enrichment provision. Qualifications such as UDO and LAMDA and industry integration such as Arts Ed, UDO, SAE (Sound Audio Engineering), create unique learning experiences with greater relevance to the world of the future, this allows for early identification of emerging talent within the Performing Arts Academy.

“GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis is a Centre of Excellence for Performing Arts and Music Technology, holding performance and expression as a core element of our curriculum offering and school culture.

Wellington Academy has a long-standing partnership with United Dance Organization (UDO) and is proud to be their flagship school in Dubai. This has been further enriched through our partnership with ArtsEd, linking world-class performing arts, staff training and opportunity within an already developed performing arts programme.

Our focus and belief is to provide an opportunity for every student to take part, harnessing creativity, skill and expression in developing self. “

Kevin Loft. Chief Executive Officer and Principal. GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis

“At WSO, we go above and beyond to train and grow students in Drama and Acting, while providing industry recognised qualifications and pathways to our students.

We work with our university partner: ArtsEd and industry partner: ESMOD to provide students with incredible industry experiences.

Our bespoke Performing Arts curriculum is also designed strategically with our professional partners, meaning that learning is bespoke, tailored and personalised.

Through Drama, we help students develop their communication, confidence and co-ordination skills and create learners and performers who are well rounded and ready for the world.

The expertise of our highly specialised team, paired with unwavering passion, means that we are able to provide exceptional Drama education; we strive to provide unique learning experiences that the students will remember for a lifetime.“

 Jodie Quirke – Academy Acting and Production Arts Programme Manager 

 

Fees 2020-21

AED 37,296 to AED 82,511

Prospectus:

Key Features

https://player.vimeo.com/video/468022910

External Examination Partnerships:

LAMDA

UDO

ABRSM

Trinity

Rock School

Arts Ed

Avolites Academy

Student Leadership – (Sport and Performing Arts Future leaders)

BTEC Performing Arts (Extended Diploma)

BTEC Music Production (Diploma and Extended Diploma)

IB Theatre, Dance and Music

GCSE Drama, Dance and Music

What the Students say about Music

“After moving to WSO, I received many opportunities to express and learn my music-keyboard aspiration.

I soon realised that Performing Arts consisted of many groups; Band, Illuminate, Resonance, Dazzle and Adrenaline.

But I wanted to be in the WSO Band. Being a new student to WSO, I was unable to join the band halfway through the year, therefore I made it my goal to be in band by year 5! The year passed by, and finally it was time for next year Performing Arts auditions.

My Dad and I came to the Music Team for a piano audition; I played many songs, and by the end you allowed me to be in Band! I was ecstatic and, then, with the good news, the year began.

I went to band practices every single time, and each time I learned more and benefited more! After some time, it was time for our first performance. I had butterflies in my stomach, even though all I was going to play was a few notes! But fortunately, the performance went well and I was successful!

The year went on just like that, with you helping all of us excel. But when year 6 came, you had even better news. I was going to senior Band!

This year, whilst playing with Secondary, I learned more than ever, and was so grateful for all the help and positive feedback from Mr Patrick and the band themselves!

All in all, I had a great year at WSO, in all aspects of schooling and Performing Arts!”

Vivan Panda

“This year I have been immersed in massive amount of opportunities for music at WSO. Some of the most notable would be performing at Choirfest, Battle of the Bands and being part of the WSO Musical School of Rock, performing as Zack.

I have gained not only confidence but skills and friends that I’m sure will be with me for a long time.

Music at WSO this year has been absolutely incredible and I cannot wait for all the opportunities next year!”

Kai Pavitt

What The Parents Say About Music

“This is our first year at WSO; a key factor for moving our boys to WSO was to expose them to more Music and PA opportunities.

The school has exceeded our expectations, and both of our children, have grown and flourished within Music and PA.

WSO has provided a rich and empowering platform upon which talents, differences and passions are embraced and realised.  The deep knowledge and expertise of staff, combined with their own passion and enthusiasm creates a culture that drives personalised pathways so that each and every child succeeds and works towards their dreams.”

Cheryl Pickering

What the Students say about Performing Arts

“I love dancing at WSO.

It make me feel happy – and I can do it in school.

I am in Mini Adrenaline and my proudest moment was winning the Year 3 & 4 UDO School Solo Battles.

I also really enjoyed Desert Dance.

This year I passed my Grade 1 Syllabus Street Dance Examinations and I achieved a Distinction.

Dance is my world, it makes school fun.”

Frank Tate

“Dancing at WSO has opened so many pathways for me.

Dancing with WSO Adrenaline Youth Dance Company has allowed me to become more outgoing, social, and confident in what I do.

Adrenaline is a very eye opening experience, you learn so many new skills that you can apply in the future and I would 100% recommend this provision to anyone that loves dance.

Since gaining a place with “Adrenaline” I have performed in Desert Dance, competed in Dance Competitions, completed my UDO Syllabus Exams and worked with many International and local dance artists through our UDO Dance Camps, I also made it to the Adrenaline Worlds Team, but due to COVID 19, unfortunately it won’t happen this summer.

I also study GCSE dance and this was one of the main reasons I came to WSO – this simply wasn’t offered in other schools.”

Lilly Barton

 

 

“Throughout my experience in the Performing Arts community at WSO, I have developed and achieved many things over the years, not only in performance but also in terms of dedication, communication and confidence.

Our school is so special because we are very fortunate to have wonderful specialised Performing Arts teachers, who expose us to great opportunities for example: meeting and working with west end stars and ArtsEd alumni, even in the hardest times of Distance Learning.

My school also provides me with opportunities to perform with professional companies and in professional theatres – this year I performed at La Perle and next year, we will be performing in the new EXPO 2020 in Dubai!

Our beloved teachers help us grow and achieve our goals.

Because of the Performing Arts department, I feel supported and confident enough to reach my full potential. We love having great experiences that not everyone is fortunate enough to have.

Finally, I would love to say that we are an amazing school, especially in the Performing Arts and I am very proud of our growth together – we are a family!”

Maiev Kolta

What the parents say about Performing Arts

“Our son loves Performing Arts and wants to make it his profession.

We looked at other schools for our son entering Secondary; none of them seemed to have the opportunities that WSO provide.

Coming from a Performing Arts background, I can say that WSO really is an exceptional school for Performing Arts.

It is their forte.“

Katie Downey

“Our Daughter has been a student at WSO since it opened its doors back in 2011.

She discovered a passion for performing arts and with the expertise of the staff she has performed in many fantastic shows. The highlight so far was when she was given the opportunity to audition for Evita at Dubai Opera House. Out of hundreds of school children, she made it to the final 12. She had the time of her life performing with the touring West End Cast.

This opportunity of a life time wouldn’t have been possible without WSO.

Now a secondary student, she enjoys her Elite musical theatre tutor group each day. They are always working on something exciting!

Performing arts at WSO is truly outstanding and we look forward to the next school year.”

Nickie Willoughby

 

 

“GEMS WSO have provided my daughters with fabulous opportunities in dance and choir.

In partnership with UDO, my eldest was awarded a UDO Dance scholarship and has danced in the UDO World Championships in the UK as part of WSO’s elite dance crew, Adrenaline.

Under the watchful eye of Miss Tate and Miss Hodge plus the UDO professional industry dancers, Adrenaline has won numerous dance awards and competitions. My youngest has been part of WSO’s elite choir, Resonance for 4 years. Last year being awarded “Best a cappella choir” at Choirfest, hosted at Dubai Opera, was one of the year’s highlights.

Resonances were also invited to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall with the world-renowned composer and conductor Eric Whitacre. It was a truly memorable trip for all of the Resonance team.

Opportunities like these are rare and I feel privileged that my daughters are immersed in a school whose PA department is totally committed to nurturing their amazing, talented students.”

Amanda Austin

 

Student Slipstream Graduating Institutions and achievements

LIPA – BA Music (Song writing and Performance)

Leeds University (Scholarship) – BA Music (Song writing)

Arts Ed – BA Acting

AMDA Los Angeles Hollywood (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) – BFA Acting

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama – BA Theatre Practice Set Design

LIPA – BA Acting

Iceland Academy of Arts – BA Theatre

Arts Ed – Foundation Acting

Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts  – BFA Dance

Liverpool John Moores – BA Dance

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