Northern School of Performing Arts, based in Auckland, New Zealand, has emerged as a leading institution in performing arts education. From humble beginnings in 2012 as Peaches and Pickles Performing Arts, the school has grown under the stewardship of its founder Sophia Pederson to become a thriving community of over 500 students. We explore their journey, philosophy, and the impact of Northern School of Performing Arts, emphasising its integration of Trinity College London drama qualifications to enhance student outcomes.
The beginnings of a vision
“We started off with around 12 students, four of which were ours. And then we've now got a school of around 500,” Sophia, the school’s founder, reflects. Initially established as Peaches and Pickles, the school underwent a transformation when Sophia’s co-founder transitioned to a different focus. With a renewed vision and a name change, Sophia took the helm, reshaping the school into what it is today.
Sophia’s background as a performer and educator laid the foundation for the school’s success. “I performed from a very young age and then found my love in teaching. It’s just so much more rewarding,” she shares. Her passion for performing arts education is evident in the school’s personalised approach and its emphasis on holistic development.
Diverse offerings and tailored approaches
Northern School Performing Arts offers a wide range of programmes, including dance, speech and drama and musical theatre. Weekly classes cater to different age groups and skill levels, with an emphasis on building confidence and fostering a love for the arts. Sophia explains, “Our weekly classes aren’t just for our West End performers. It’s for confidence, it’s for all the wonderful outcomes that performing arts provides.”
For students demonstrating exceptional talent or interest, one-on-one Trinity syllabus sessions are offered. “If we see a student that has just got a little bit of something or needs a bit of pushing, then we offer them the Trinity syllabus,” Sophia notes. These sessions typically begin at age eight, allowing students to develop foundational skills before progressing through the grades.
Trinity qualifications: a gateway to success
The integration of Trinity qualifications has been pivotal in shaping the school’s educational framework. Sophia emphasies the benefits of Trinity’s global recognition and adaptability: “It’s a syllabus that’s been around for a very long time. It’s recognised globally, and it’s not just about performing arts – it’s about creating a well-rounded individual.”
The flexibility of the Trinity syllabus allows Sophia and her team to tailor the curriculum to individual student strengths. “Not all students are going to be triple threats. The great thing about Trinity is that you can mould it to your students’ strengths,” Sophia explains. This personalised approach ensures that each student can excel, whether their strength or focus is on singing, acting, or movement.
21st-Century skills through performing arts
Beyond artistic excellence, Northern School of Performing Arts prioritises the development of essential life skills. “Speaking in front of someone, quick thinking, and articulation are skills we all need in everyday life,” Sophia points out. She fondly recalls how even non-performers, like her own daughter, have benefited from these skills: “We just needed her to speak clearly, with great articulation, and think on the spot. And she smashed it.”
The school’s philosophy aligns with Trinity’s emphasis on fostering these key skills. Students learn to manage pressure and improve focus through mock exams, which simulate the real experience. “They’re almost more scared of the mock exams!” Sophia jokes, noting how this preparation ensures confidence and readiness on exam day.
Empowering futures
Northern School of Performing Arts has seen its students achieve remarkable success, both within and beyond the arts. “We’ve got a few that have gone off to do incredible things within the theatre world, and some who are excelling in the business corporate market,” Sophia proudly states. The inclusion of ATCL qualifications, equivalent to diploma-level studies, provides an additional edge for students pursuing higher education or professional careers.
Sophia highlights the broader benefits of these qualifications: “Having that ATCL diploma level on your CV shows you’re not just doing an after-school programme. You’re committed to an actual global syllabus.” The requirement to analyse and interpret pre-1965 pieces, for example, fosters critical thinking and a deeper appreciation of the arts.
A collaborative environment
The success of Northern School of Performing Arts is also attributed to its collaborative teaching environment. Sophia’s team have embraced the Trinity syllabus with enthusiasm. “When someone’s passionate about it and has been doing it for a long time, others feed off that,” Sophia says. This shared dedication ensures a consistent and high-quality learning experience for students.
Northern School of Performing Arts exemplifies the transformative power of performing arts education. Through a combination of personalised teaching, a globally recognised syllabus, and a commitment to holistic development, the school equips students with the skills and confidence to thrive. As Sophia aptly puts it, “Performing arts is amazing, but it’s performing arts and beyond.”