By Hope Smith

Young performers in Lexington have a new venue for honing their talents of singing, dancing and acting.

A class offered by UK Opera Theater teaches its students what other performance classes don’t — how to improve while having fun.

The Academy for Creative Excellence is a series of classes designed to train young individuals in the performing arts in a way that inspires growth through a positive, hands-on learning approach.

“A.C.E. supplies the triple threat — singing, acting and dancing,” said Program Director Mary Joy Nelson. “It’s a way for students to train in all three areas and have the opportunity to branch out, where most classes just specialize in one area.”

Nelson grew up in a small town in Canada, where singing was her passion, particularly opera. For five years she directed summer camps and workshops for children and then moved to Lexington to pursue her master’s degree at UK. She went to Everett McCorvey, director of the UK Opera, with the idea to create a similar camp, and “Broadway Bound” was born. The summer camp, which just completed its third year, gives participants the training they need to excel in the performing arts at a high school level, and, hopefully, beyond.

“We wanted to help transition kids into singing, acting and dancing, so that when they got to high school and wanted to perform, they would be ready,” Nelson said.

A.C.E. is a new extension of this program that runs for two semesters, one in the fall and one in the spring. The program is currently holding “trial classes” for three Wednesdays in September, in which students are invited to participate in the same activities that they would take part in if they attend A.C.E.  The courses focus on teaching students one particular piece per class in which they sing, act and dance.

“I want the students to feel like they accomplished something, which is why our goal is to learn one single piece in each two-hour class period,” Nelson said.  “I want the kids to go home and say to their parents, ‘Hey, look what I learned today.’ ”

But the instructors strive to ensure that the students have fun above all else.

“You guys need to do two things for me: one is to have fun, but I also need you guys to put some style into your steps,” dance instructor Jenny Fitzpatrick said to the class while reviewing a section of the evening’s routine.

Nelson and Fitzpatrick will be teaching the courses, as well as Tim Hull, who will specialize in drama. Their main goal is to provide a positive learning environment that leaves room for fun and for growth.

“The teachers are so nice and relaxed,” said 12-year-old A.C.E. student Mariah Mowbray.  “They always help you when you need it, and they’re never mean about it. I always try to practice my weaknesses more than my strengths.”

Luke Pellegrino, 8, attended his first class Wednesday evening and said his favorite segment was acting.

“I liked when I acted like I was eating fudge,” Pellegrino said. “I want to come back next week.”

A.C.E. currently offers singing, acting and dancing, but the program has room to expand.

Nelson hopes to offer courses on film acting, instrumentals, opera and other forms of self-expression in the future, and sees the program as a means for UK to branch out into the greater community of Lexington.

“Part of (UK President) Lee Todd’s vision is to make the university more community-friendly, to make people and families more familiar with it, and this is a good way to do that,” Nelson said.

Classes start Sept. 30, and sign-ups for both fall and spring semester are still open. Those interested can sign up in the Fine Arts Building Sept. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. or Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, contact Mary Joy Nelson at [email protected].