About Phoenix Performing Arts
Inspiring performers of all ages in Kent, since 2005.
Who we are
Founded on 05.05.05 by Principal, Sophie Guariglia, Phoenix Performing Arts has grown into one of the top leading performing arts school in Canterbury, with its own purpose-built studios at 16a Roper Close, CT2 7EP. We welcome students from Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, and across Kent.
At PPA, we offer professional training in Dance, Singing, and Drama for all ages. From ballet, tap, and hip hop to musical theatre and drama, our classes follow respected syllabi, and are taught by an elite team of teachers who are all masters in their fields.
We believe in nurturing both technique and performance in equal measures. The most amazing technique is lost on stage without the skills to convey it to an audience. We give every student the chance to shine in shows, competitions, and showcases throughout the year. Many of our students have gone on to train at top performing arts colleges and schools.
Whether you want to perform for fun or pursue a career in the arts, PPA is here to inspire, train, and support you every step of the way.
Our dance training
We offer dance tuition in ballet, modern, tap, hip hop, contemporary, jazz technique and musical theatre jazz, commercial, acro and tumbling.
We follow the R.A.D and I.S.T.D syllabus for ballet, the I.S.T.D syllabus for modern and tap, (as well as offering open american tap for the more advanced levels) and the Acrobatics Arts Syllabus for acro.
We follow the Alixa Flexibility program for stretch classes, and study a variety of techniques for contemporary including Graham, Limon, Cunningham, Horton, Flying Low and New Style. Students can take exams throughout the year.
We have a 100% success rate and all students pass with high marks.
We also run a highly successful competition team, with entry by audition only, who compete in competitions throughout the year. Private lessons are available on request.
Meet our teachers
At Phoenix Performing Arts in Canterbury, we are proud to have a highly skilled and passionate team of teachers. Each member of our faculty brings professional experience in dance, drama, singing, musical theater and more, creating a supportive and inspiring environment for every student.
Our teachers are dedicated to helping students of all ages improve their technique, build confidence, and discover their love for the performing arts. With a mix of industry knowledge and teaching expertise, they ensure every class is both educational and enjoyable.
At PPA, you’ll learn from the best while being encouraged to reach your full potential.
Musical theatre singing & vocal coaching
Those wishing to further their training and audition for full time Performing Arts Colleges are encouraged.
Past students have successfully gained places at institutions such as Guilford School of Acting, Italia Conti School for Performing Arts, The Royal Ballet Upper School, English National Ballet School, The Urdang Academy, Bird College, London Studio Centre, Trinity Laban, Performer’s College, Tring Park, Emil Dale, The Bridge Theatre Training Company, Oxford School Of Drama, LIPA and Millennium Performing Arts.
We help students to choose the correct pieces for their auditions and assist in arranging private coaching for acting, singing, and dance audition pieces where required.
Drama classes
We offer group drama lessons for Juniors (Age 6-10), Intermediates (11-14) and Seniors (15 +) For our Pre-Juniors (age 4 and up) we run a combined ‘singing and drama’ class.
Students from age 6 and up study the L.A.M.D.A Syllabus and can take exams throughout the year. We also work on plays/filmed pieces in the classes.
In performance
We focus a great deal on performance as well as technique.
It is our policy to try and enable all our students to use and develop their performance skills as often as possible through various showcases and large scale productions.
Technical expertise is wasted without the ability to communicate with an audience.
We have a number of shows each year varying from Senior Musicals such as ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘Six’ to outdoor Shakespeare Promenades such as ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and Junior Shows such as ‘Annie’ and ‘School Of Rock’.
We also perform a hugely popular dance and musical theatre showcase, PPA Live, at the Marlowe/Gulbenkian Theatre every other year, which we alternate with a bi-annual full scale play for all our drama students.
Additionally, our competition team compete throughout the year both in groups as well as solo/duets/trios.
There are plenty of performance opportunities for all who wish to get involved.
Performing arts as a career
Those wishing to further their training and audition for full time Performing Arts Colleges are encouraged.
Past students have successfully gained places at institutions such as Guilford School of Acting, Italia Conti School for Performing Arts, The Royal Ballet Upper School, English National Ballet School, The Urdang Academy, Bird College, London Studio Centre, Trinity Laban, Performer’s College, Tring Park, Emil Dale, The Bridge Theatre Training Company, Oxford School Of Drama, LIPA and Millennium Performing Arts.
We help students to choose the correct pieces for their auditions and assist in arranging private coaching for acting, singing, and dance audition pieces where required.
PPA believes that the welfare of children is paramount – Click here for our Child Protection policy