Best Schools for Performing Arts, Abu Dhabi, Dubai

 Al Yasmina School, Abu Dhabi

Offering Music from FS1 and Drama from year 7, Al Yasmina School is quickly developing its Performing Arts provision with a new team.  The changes in team members have meant a revised focus – particularly in relation to Music.

The Music curriculum involves practical music making, which is underpinned by Music Theory and Kodally. Students are taught how to read and write music from as young as Year 1. This enables students to have a higher level of musicianship and be able to access a better depth and quality of curriculum. Students perform on classroom tuned and non-tuned percussion, African Drums, Samba Drums, keyboards, drum kits, guitars and their own instruments.  The school is planning to extend the curriculum into whole class string projects for Primary and a wind band project for secondary students.

Currently  approximately 150 students are learning a musical instrument beyond the classroom, which is approximately 14% of students.  Aldar Academies has moved away from its own team of peripatetic teachers and is now working with IMI – one of the best known sources for music teachers in Abu Dhabi.

Al Yasmina has 4 choirs for students from Year 2 through to 13, an Orchestra, Jazz Band, Drumming Ensemble and Rock Band. The ensembles have grown in quality and size with the Secondary Choir, which started with just four members, having grown to 40  members.  Instrumental students are able to participate in ABRSM examinations.

Al Yasmina  Music students also benefit from the Aldar Academies’ combined schools’ performance opportunities, including  events such as National Day at Ferrari World, the Singing for Fun festival and a performance at the Emirates Palace.

Drama classes are offered from Year 7 to Year 9 as part of the core curriculum. Students participate in 1 hour per week and are involved in a range of key skills development through participation in topics such as Greek Theatre, Shakespeare and devising and scripted works.

Year 10 and 11 GCSE Drama students have 3 hours of lessons per week.  Year 12 and 13 A Level students have 6 hours of Drama tuition per week.  Currently some 60 year 10-13 students are preparing for GCSE or GCE A Level examinations.  In addition, Drama students are able to participate in RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) examinations.

 

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