PopRock Blog
PopRock Academy Welcomes You!
Now that it is almost back-to-school season, there are a lot of things to think about as everyone prepares to transition into the Fall season. We all know that you can choose to improve yourself at any given time, but this is also an opportune moment to do so. Even though it is not the start of a brand new year, it is technically the beginning of a new school year. So, rather than calling it a “New Year's resolution," we'll call this a “new school year resolution." I believe that this will serve as a great reminder for parents and students alike.
Out of all of the things you can choose to work on for yourself, do not forget the importance of enjoying what you are doing. We can all get so caught up in the process of trying to perfect our task that we act robotically. However, it is so important that nobody forgets how to find enjoyment in what they are doing. So, enjoy the process and give yourself a break when you need it!
There is a time and place for everything. There is a time to be silent, and a time to sing. There is a time to listen, and a time to express yourself freely. Whenever anyone walks through the doors of PopRock Academy, we want you to know that this is the place where you can completely let go and have fun! Who cares if your voice cracks when you're singing, or if you hit an ugly note? Who cares of you dance like a goofball, or if you forget the next line in your script? PopRock is the place to make mistakes all you want. After all, you are here to learn and we are here to help you. As long as you are having fun and enjoying the process of bettering yourself as an actor, musician, or dancer, we consider it a job well done!
Interested in starting your journey as a performer? Ask us any questions you might have through an info request or give us a call at 626.282.[ROCK]7625!
Music is such a powerful force in this world, so much that I think that it is often underestimated. It has capabilities unmatched by anything else. You may have heard of the following quote from poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
"Music is the universal language of all mankind."
Music is a form of expression that you can launch your entire being into, and it is so diverse. It can have rules, yet have no structure. There is no need for rhyme or reason, yet you can make it as complex or as simple as you want it to be. You can create your own songs and depending on how you make it, someone who does not speak the same language as you will know exactly what you are trying to say. You can even play a cover of a song and experience the emotions that the writer lovingly poured in the details of the words or the tune.
Growing up in my teenage years, I was just like any other typical teenager. I felt that the world was against me and that I was constantly being repressed. I had this constant feeling that I needed to break out and express myself somehow, that I needed to channel my stress in a healthy way. Thankfully, I started violin lessons at a young age and discovered that I loved singing. At the time, I didn't know if I was a decent singer or if I played violin well–all that mattered to me was that my hobbies made me feel alive. It made me feel like everything was going to be okay, and I knew that I owed everything to this passion. I could not see myself being the same person as I am today had I not decided to invest a part of myself in music.
Whether you are someone who is afraid to try something new or a parent who is unsure about signing up their child for lessons, please take this piece of advice: Go for it. I promise that you will not regret your decision, and the worst thing that could happen is that you might decide that performing arts isn't for you. If that is the case, then you are one step closer to discovering what you might find to be your lifetime hobby. At PopRock Academy, we have a policy that can help reinforce our promise that you do not need to be afraid to take a class here at our school. Ask about our no commitment policy by sending an info request or giving us a call at 626.282.[ROCK]7625!
It's summer-time! This is the perfect time to finally do all those things that you put off during the year when you were too busy with school or work. The thing I love the most about summer is that the longer days give you more energy to stay pro-active. It gives you extra inspiration to be productive. So why not take that energy and participate in a dance class? Maybe you can even push yourself to finally do that voice lesson that you've been putting off. Whatever it is that you have always wanted to learn how to do, it has never been a better time to start.
Something that I think everyone can relate to is the fact that we have all made excuses for ourselves. We find the smallest and simplest reasons to convince ourselves not to step outside the safety bubble. Growing up and sometimes to this day, I will see an inspiring dance video and think to myself: “Could I have been at that level if I had started earlier? What if I had decided to really dedicate myself to practice? Would I be where I wanted to be now?” Regrets come pouring into my mind about how much time I have wasted, and how much time I could have spent being more productive.
The important thing is not to allow yourself to be discouraged by what-if thoughts. The best time to start is always now. Forget thinking about how good you would be if you had only done this or that. Forget wasting your time on feeling sorry for yourself, or making excuses about how you could never be capable of doing whatever it is you want to do. Dive in headfirst to the challenge and you will see progress. Be patient with yourself and understand that no one ever became a professional overnight.
Are you spending your summer well? If the answer is yes, then good for you! Continue on your journey of productivity and conquer your inner battles. However, if the answer is no... stop and think about what it is that you want to finally start doing. If it is music, theater, or performance-related, then I can guarantee you that you just might find exactly what you need here at PopRock Academy. Send an info request and get started!
Empower Your Child: Lights, Camera, Confidence!
By just one click, one send, and one like, we now have access to the whole world. It’s so common seeing kids playing with iPads and learning how to communicate with people from TV and video games. How do we equip our children exactly to face the challenges later on in life? How about providing them the opportunity to interact, learn, play, express, and love through music, dancing, singing, and performing? How about giving wings to their imagination and creativity? PopRock Academy has the best music, dance, acting programs in the San Gabriel Valley for your child.
As today’s entertainment world continues to evolve, YouTube videos and short films are becoming a vital necessity in not just the Arts but for everyone everywhere. Nowadays the ability to instantly view a humorous or informative clip is just one click away! Our new “PopRock YouTube” class intends to not only get students excited about making videos, but also teaches and prepares each individual with the necessary skills to talk comfortably in front of a camera. This class is not geared specifically for those only interested in Acting, but serves as a multidimensional tool to help encourage both innovative and creative ideas while simultaneously preparing each student to be comfortable and confident!
Why not take this program as a great opportunity for your children to open up about themselves and gain confidence? Students of this great program will get the chance to create and produce their very own YouTube videos; they make a short YouTube video every week and post them on our official YouTube Channel-PopRock Academy. Please check out our channel for the amazing works our current students have created. This course doesn't participate in the annual recitals at our Academy.
PopRock Academy serves this amazing acting program for the residents of Alhambra, San Marino, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, Arcadia, Monterey Park, Temple City, Rosemead, Sierra Madre, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Glendale, El Monte, Montebello, Monrovia, Altadena and the greater Los Angeles area.
Transform Your Acting Abilities with Us!
We proudly represent the best acting school in Temple City in Los Angeles, serving the great residents of this amazing city. Our acting programs are perfect for students that are looking for acting programs to enhance their acting skills as well as students that are looking for opportunities to open up and gain confidence through performing on stage. Our students enjoy the opportunity to perform at our well-organized annual recitals for twice a year. We're honored to serve you with the best acting programs. The founder of PopRock Academy, Paul Kwo, a professional and well-known Hollywood actor and musician working with the best names in Hollywood grew up in the area. With his great passion for this city, he established the best acting programs to provide students legitimate training and reliable information about the industry.Our acting program for students from ages 8 to 14 is designed to help students practice and develop fundamental acting skills and techniques through acting exercises, improv and theater games, monologue, and scene works. We also have a great performance-based program, Triple Threat Glee, that is perfect for helping students open up about themselves, practice and explore acting, singing, and dancing in a combine setting. Students in this program will get the chance to perform on stage at our annual recitals twice a year in musical theater format. We try our very best to provide you and your child the best acting programs; we offer programs for students that are just beginning on this journey as well as students that are looking to enhance and advance their acting techniques.
We also have a program specially designed for young students from ages 3 to 7 that are just beginning to explore in performing arts. With our Disney Musical program, kids will get the chance to step out of their comfort zone, develop the concept of a classroom, interact with teachers and fellow classmates, and develop story-telling techniques. Our students perform Disney-themed songs and act our stories; interaction and story-telling for kids in this generation of technology is a great start for young future artists and leaders!
Students that are older and with better acting or performing experiences can join our Acting on Camera program which is specially designed to train acting techniques geared towards camera work. Our students in this program will learn techniques based off on Hollywood TV, Film, and On-Camera medium by working with our instructors that are already working in the industry each week on their individual scenes in an audition format. They will also receive feedback form professional acting instructors and be prepared to fine tune their performances.
If you are interested in learning more about the program or sign up for classes, call our office at 626-282-7625 or contact us here.