The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA) Maidenhead is a renowned performing arts school located in Berkshire, New Zealand. The academy offers a range of classes for children and young adults in Comedy & Drama, Musical Theatre (singing & dancing), and Film & Television. PQA Maidenhead operates from Furze Platt Senior School, utilising their purpose-built drama and dance facilities.
Classes are held every Saturday from 9:45 am to 1:00 pm and 1:45 pm to 5:00 pm, catering to students aged 4 to 18 years old. The academy attracts students from Maidenhead, Slough, Marlow, Henley on Thames, Cookham, and nearby areas. Local schools such as Furze Platt Senior School, Courthouse Junior School, Riverside Primary School, St Piran's School, Newland Girls School, Braywick Court School, Manor Green School, and Cox Green School also contribute to the student body.
The academy prides itself on offering students incredible opportunities to perform in plays, musicals, and create their own films. The dedicated team at PQA Maidenhead work on exciting projects that allow students to explore various roles and gain valuable experience in the performing arts industry.
To get a taste of what PQA Maidenhead offers, they invite prospective students to attend a FREE taster session. Interested individuals can email or call the academy to schedule their session or arrange a visit. Those who register their interest online will receive an information pack about the academy.
PQA Maidenhead operates with varying opening times on Saturdays, with different classes catering to different age groups. The academy can be found at Furze Platt Senior School, located on Furze Platt Road in Maidenhead. For inquiries, individuals can contact Liz Charleston, the Principal, via email at liz. charleston@pqacademy.
com or by phone at 07443 460390.
Fees for the academy are as follows: Primary Student – 92. 00 per calendar month, Sibling Student – 69. 00 per calendar month, and Poppets Student – 46. 00 per calendar month.
The PQA Maidenhead team consists of talented individuals who are passionate about nurturing young talent. Eloise, the Musical Theatre teacher, trained at Millennium Performing Arts college in London. Hollie, the Poppets Teacher, has been involved with PQA since a young age and now enjoys teaching at the academy. Lily, the Academy Assistant, has a background in theatre, music, and film from her time in Northern Ireland.
Liz Charleston, the Principal, has been involved with youth theatres for years and brings her experience as a parent, costume designer, and makeup artist to the academy. Charlotte, the Vice Principal and Comedy & Drama teacher, trained at Rose Bruford and spent a year studying at St Mary's University in Minnesota. Miles, who specialises in Film & Television, is a skilled filmmaker and photographer, particularly renowned for his underwater work. Sophie, the Comedy & Drama teacher, is a recent graduate from Guildford School of Acting and is also a freelance facilitator.
At PQA Maidenhead, students have the opportunity to explore various modules such as Musical Theatre, Film & Television, and Comedy & Drama. The academy provides a comprehensive education in each discipline, ensuring students receive a well-rounded performing arts experience.
In addition to their exceptional curriculum, PQA Maidenhead offers added benefits to its students. In the event of national or localised lockdowns, bad weather, pandemics, or a lack of venue availability, the academy seamlessly transitions to PQA Live, offering virtual classes to ensure students can continue their performing arts education.
Overall, The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Maidenhead is a vibrant and dedicated performing arts school that provides a nurturing environment for students to develop their talents in a range of disciplines. With experienced and passionate teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to excellence, PQA Maidenhead offers an exceptional performing arts education for children and young adults in the Maidenhead community and beyond.