Would Stagecoach be suitable for my daughter ?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi my daughter is 4 and loves dancing and music and is quite an actress.
She has quite a severe speech disorder, so when she sings, no one would be able to tell what she was singing. (Only if they knew the tune). I don't know if Stagecoach would be good for her and improve her confidence. I know they have singing lessons which might be difficult. She enjoys singing, but they'd have to be understanding.
If Stagecoach isn't suitable then we could try ballet or tap, I'd like her to have a hobby that's fun and will improve her confidence.

another vote for stagecoach - I understand that they won't all be the same, but the one dd1 goes to is lovely, it's all fun and no stress (she's early stages).

They look cute in their little uniforms too (and there was no pressure to get it either - in fact dd only has the t-shirt, the teacher was very understanding that I wanted to just try dd1 with it first so I paid £25 for the first two lessons, but it was clear that she wanted to keep going with it - there's been much galumphing around the house!). So I would give it a go, if you like the teacher (I had quite a long chat with the teacher over the phone as well as the two taster sessions).

islandofsodor- have you been on here for ages but under a different name. I only ask because I've namechanged and was wondering the other day what happened to the stagecoach teacher who used to be on here (I asked lots of questions 3 or so years ago before ds2 joined- if it was you he loves it!, is now in Stage 1 and has taken up speech as well (his request)).

I still have all my stage coach report cards, photos and song lyric sheets. I am 24 on Friday. Thats how much it meant to me. I only threw out my tshirt 6 months ago...because I was moving house and something had to go.

I have been to various things like it and none touched me as much as SC did. Its the emphasis that is put on enjoyment and confidence rather than strit cramming of rehearsals for a big show. If you want your child dressed up in glitter and pink and performing identical routines in a huge flashing light show...stage couch isnt for you. If you want an emphasis on confidence, exploration in a safe space, improvisation and a chance to give lots of input then SC is for you. The "shows" are more demonstrations of class work, they show you what has been learned and is just a taster, thats why they do reports too.

Ive been to a copy of staecoach - MAD i think it was, not sure if it still exists and it just wasnt anywhere like it. All the motions were there but it wasnt the same. A key difference IMO is MAD didnt have a principal onsite each week, SC does (did when I went anyway) this means staff are kept motivated, and working together, the principal drops in to all the classes and watches/inputs so is really involved.

I have no connection to them now lol I am not trying to drum up custom

As I said DS loves it - yes it is a franchise and obviously worth checking out your local one, I like the fact it isn't forced - I am not out for DS to have a career on the stage and certainly don't want him to be a 'lovie', but he has been on TV as a result of it

just get her a tutu for dressing up

my dd does ISTD ballet and they, as IOS says, just wear leotard and chiffon skirt

Giraffe, do you want to come and work for us!!! You are far better at marketing than I am!!!!!

Seriously what you have said sums up totally what we are trying to do, unfortunately some do complain that we don't do the glitz and glam, I now realise that's fine, its what some are after but I tried that myself as a child and lost confidence.

There is still a principal on site every single week. In some ways that is why it is more expensive than some of the others. It is an extra person who is always there. It is going to be cheaper if the principal doubles up as a teacher or runs in 3 diffferent locations flitting between them all.

Mrs Turnip , I did have a different name a few years ago, it was my real name plus a website I used to be connected with. I felt that I shouldn't have my real name on a public forum so changed.

There has been a bit of Stagecoach bashing on various forums recently so it is nice to hear positive experiences. From my point of view I take more pride in the children who are not naturally talented but who find the confidence to get up on stage and say even 1 line than those who end up in professional shows. Saying that I am immensly proud of them too if they work hard and have determination.

I think the only downside is its name! I hate mentioning it to friends / other mums because it sounds like something for pushy parents who want to turn their kids into "stars" . I tend to mumble something about a dance and singing class, playing down the drama bit and the "stage" bit. I should have the confidence to explain it more. maybe I will.

Good idea about the tu-tu for dressing up in. She loves anything like that.
I don't want all the glitz and glam, I just want my daughter to have something she can feel she's good at and to have fun, make friends and gain confidence. (And if it helps her speech in any way, then it would be fantastic).
I'm looking forward to phoning up and finding out more.