Holliston School of Performing Arts Introduces New After-School Program

By Whitney Cyr

For a variety of creative and artistic disciplines, the Holliston School of Performing Arts is opening its doors for an after-school program that encompasses a wide range of interests.

From 3 to 6 p.m. in the fall, children who attend the program can engage in drawing, painting, dance, and theater classes. 

Lisa Bobrin, an occupational therapist marries her love of teaching and art by providing instruction at the center in the area of drawing.

“Children are sponges for learning,” Bobrin said. “Drawing enhances their academic performance because it correlates to skills used in the classroom.” Bobrin said in her class, participants will spend time learning the principles of drawing, shading, and perspective. Eventually, they will graduate to using charcoals, pen and ink and water color. Students will also learn painting, color theory and eventually moving on to still life painting.

Richard Larraga, the director of the School of Performing Arts, said students can mix and match the classes they could take. They can participate in Bobrin’s drawing class for 45 minutes, but the next 45 minutes could be dedicated to a music class.

Larraga said music instruction would focus on one-on-one private lessons for instruments and for voice. Group classes will teach music history.

The school’s founder, Chris Roberts, said theater classes would work in many aspects of theater including writing scripts and character development.

Tyler Davidson, a senior at Dean College getting a bachelor’s degree in dance, said she wants to create a professional environment in her dance classes.

“We’ll learn the rules of ballet, we’ll start with barre combinations and then move to the floor,” she said. “Ideally, I would like a live pianist if possible.”

“We want kids to have a more well-rounded experience and approach to the arts,” Roberts said. “The arts provide interpersonal skills, body movement. As a child learns more about themselves, they will be more confident.”

Larraga added there’s also an element of discipline as well—students will learn how to properly pick up their art supplies, how to put away their instruments. “Hopefully that will transfer to home,” he said.

Larraga and Roberts both said there will be opportunities for the children to show off the kills they have learned in culminating events.

“We’ll have art shows and dance recitals,” Larraga said. “Our goals are to have an interdisciplinary event, where kids will get together for duets or in the classroom, students will draw the students who are dancing.”

The arts school is undergoing obtaining a license for an after-school program and will have 14 instructors for a close, intimate classroom setting for maximum interaction with the teacher.

“The closest place of this kind is in Wellesley,” Roberts said. Classes will also be divided by grades and will support the curriculum in public schools, for instance one theater presentation incorporated the history of George Washington.

Overall, Bobrin said art, like math and science is problem solving. Multiple disciplines of art correlate to the skills required to in academics. “Art is just fun problem solving,” she said. “It’s a tool to get students get to their highest standard.”

Parents can sign their child up for classes from one day a week to all five days of the school week. Prices range from $220 a month for once a week sessions to $600 a month for the full week.  

For more information, Roberts encourages those interested to visit hollistonarts.com. Registration forms are available online.