Creative Swanmore students stay dedicated to performing arts progress through lockdown lessons

More than 200 students of all ages and abilities have been joining in with virtual Zoom classes while Swanmore-based Roynon Performing Arts has been unable to gather in person.

Photographs collated by performing arts teachers show students learning and progressing in dance, drama, music and more during more than 50 classes each week, which has helped the group stay as one community throughout.

Music teacher Gary Munday, from Bishop’s Waltham, said: ‘The aim of all this over the three-plus months of school closure has been to support as many people as possible in their creative arts learning journey, as well as protect and enhance personal wellbeing.

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‘This period has been such a rich, satisfying experience for all, posed with its own unique, often huge challenges. Students have shown great resilience and determination despite missing being in the studio and have literally shocked teachers as to how much progress they’ve managed to make despite the limitations.’

One of the students who submitted a photograph of themselves dancing did so with a broken foot, showing their commitment and passion for their hobby.

Sarah Munday, who runs the school, has been very pleased with how committed the students have been to learning and staying creative through the lockdown.

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Sarah, who started dancing when she was aged three, said: ‘We are so proud of our Roynon family, teachers and students alike, for the learning and delivery of dance, music and drama. We’ve been honoured to support the community in such a challenging time.

‘Our work in the creative arts has proven to be such an important cornerstone in people’s wellbeing - it has been absolutely fantastic to feel like we’re helping by doing what we do best.’

To learn more about Roynon Performing Arts, phone 07801 932952 or visit roynonperformingarts.co.uk

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