Community Kids Learn Performing Arts In Aiken Day School Classes

By DENISE STUBBS

Staff Writer

Afternoons at Aiken Day School ring with sounds of children in karate classes, music lessons and art courses. Elementary school children gather in the yard to practice their kicks and stances, while inside a group studies the art of acting or painting. The Kellsborough House on the Aiken Day School property at Grace Avenue poses as the center of performing arts education for all children of the Aiken community.

Parents can bring their children to one place to receive as much instruction in performing arts as possible. The classes are offered on different days and various times to give all children the opportunity to participate.

Corey Burns, of the Burns Dance Studio, teaches the children jazz dance and gives them an exhilarating workout at every lesson. “I’d like to see more children get into this program,” said Jim Polk, headmaster of Aiken Day School. “ Corey is an excellent instructor and very qualified. He offers the kids a lot.” Burns is an individual performer who competes at a national level. He has various dance honors and prizes and is a member of various dance organizations.

Besides dance, children can learn how to play a wide range of instruments. Under the direction of Mary Lee Herdt, 7-year-old Herbert Oliphant demonstrated excitement of piano lessons as he played and sang to the beginner’s pieces “ Flying to the Moon” and “ Betty and Bill.” Mrs. Herdt exhibits her talent of instruction with 30 years’ experience in class and private lessons.

Mike Hess teaches the children karate, which focuses on discipline and concentration. The class does not involve weapons, but takes a defense position and instructs the children on self-control.

According to Polk, the school would like to see more interest from the community in these programs. “The interest so far has been drawn from inside the school,” he said. “ Right now we’re basically serving 80 percent inside to 20 percent from the public.”

The goal of the Kellsborough House is to bring children in from the community to participate in the programs after they get out of school. The program exists for the children to benefit from the concentration of options in the performing arts all at one location.

The program also offers a multi-media class, which gives gifted or interested children the time and instructional contact to develop artistic talent. Possibilities include drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printing and more. The programs work on a quarterly basis.