My son has been with ATNY since he was four years old, in the Tots class. He is thirteen now. I've written other glowing reviews- I wanted to write a new google review since the last one was three years ago, but there isn't a way to do that.
I was moved to write today because my son is taking a week long "camp" this week at an ATNY satellite location, HeART in Motion, in Ridgewood. It's a Broadway music, singing and choreography themed camp and it's somewhat out of my son's comfort zone. He was a little nervous about it because while he is a musician and singer-songwriter, he's been having trouble navigating the puberty voice change. He's also been in plays like Annie (as Rooster), Aladdin in Aladdin, Mr Wormwood in Matilda and Sir Dennis Galahad in Spam A Lot, he isn't necessarily a "Broadway kid". He doesn't have a Broadway style voice. He's more Shawn Mendes than Ben Platt.
I didn't know what this week was going to be like for him, especially because, honestly, the kind of talent ATNY pulls is extraordinary, especially in the Broadway genre. I've heard kids sing at ATNY cabaret nights that I can't believe are kids and that they aren't already on Broadway. My son brings something different at these cabaret shows, which is awesome, but to sing Broadway is not his forte or his go-to. However, he does want to learn. He wants to grow and get better.
Carl Anthony Tramon is teaching this week's camp. He is amazing. He's a great teacher, who knows how to keep them on-track, doesn't let them take the easy way out, and challenges them to take on songs they didn't know they had the chops to sing. The kids LOVE him. He really knows how to make a personal connection with them, but still have their respect as a teacher.
My son came home from the first day loving it. I listened for about forty-five minutes today when he was giving them each their song. He gave my son something that is going to be challenging, a little difficult, but if he can nail it, it will be a performance that will really boost his confidence. It stretches him as a singer, an artist, and performer in general to take this song on and make it his own.
I'm so happy I signed him up for this. He wasn't fully on board at first because it's the week before school when his schedule will be rigorous. But he had a great time yesterday and I can tell it was a great class today too. I can't wait to see the culmination of what this week has taught them all.
I love ATNY and the skills they give to kids. Whether your child wants to be on tv, Broadway, sing, dance, act, or if they're just doing it for fun, you know it's money well spent. You know Todd Etelson and the rest of his staff really care about the kids, want them to challenge themselves and to succeed. You're never just a number or a dollar sign to them. I would encourage any parent to give ATNY a shot if your child is interested in doing anything performance related. read more