PopRock Blog
Get Ready for a New Adventure at PopRock Academy!
By Paul Kwo
For me, a school is more than just a place to learn to sing, or dance or play and instrument or act. It is more than just coming in for an hour a week or whatever the length of time for a class or a lesson. It is not just a place where I try to get in as quickly as possible and leave as quickly as possible. I believe a school should be a community. Remember that old saying “it takes a village.” It certainly takes a village to educate our next generation. But too often we simply reduce education into a system. Schools are reduced to numbers and grade. Training is reduced to a curriculum.
Certainly all the above has a place in education, but our mind is far more complex than letters and numbers that can be fully trained with a set curriculum. It requires a village of people to stimulate us, and to inspire us to learn and grow.
I founded PopRock Academy on the principles of bringing together a community of people here, in Alhambra, in San Marino, San Gabriel, and in South Pasadena, and Monterey Park plus Arcadia and beyond, so that we can nurture new artists whatever their age or background. We wanted to create a school that is warm and inviting, like a home to gather together and share knowledge and wisdom. It is a place to community and a place to share our individual visions. It isn't enough just to have the best teaching staff around, but we have to provide our staff and students an environment that is conducive towards their growth. We want both our staff and our students to grow. We want a positive, friendly and inspiring atmosphere so that all our students can reach their full potential.
So trust that place that feels good and friendly when it comes to finding that school you want to enroll in. If you don't feel excited and inspired by the location, then that's not the place for you to be. Art needs inspiration and part of that inspiration is the community that we surround ourselves with.
Our school PopRock Academy is in the heart of San Gabriel Valley in downtown Alhambra on 2nd street next to Alhambra High School. We are south of San Marino and South Pasadena, west of San Gabriel, Temple City and Arcadia, north of Monterey Park and Rosemead. We are also close to El Monte, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Montebello, Monorovia, Altadena in the greater Los Angeles area.
New School Year, New Classes: Join Today!
It’s that time of year again when school is starting back up. This is the perfect time to add a new activity into you or your child’s schedule. PopRock Academy has some great new programs starting up as well our amazing ongoing classes. Some popular classes are Triple Threat Glee, KPop, Hip Hop, and a brand new class PopRock YouTube. Stop by the front desk to get more information and sign up today.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for attending that new class or lesson.
1. Make sure you bring water. The summer heat is only going to get worse this month and next. Whether you are dancing, acting, or taking a private lesson the heat will get to you. Help save the environment a bit and bring your own reusable bottle of water. Your body will thank you for it.
2. Dress comfortably. It’s important to dress comfortably for dance class. Showing up to break dance class in jeans will make it hard to move. Do yourself a favor and wear clothes you can move in. Dance class isn’t a fashion show. Your dance teacher will thank you for it.
3. Wear proper foot attire. It’s hot out so flip flops are very popular right now. Unfortunately those are not great for dance. Make sure to bring tennis shoes with you if you are in a dance class. Your feet will thank you for it.
4. Come ready to have FUN! This is probably the most important tip I can give. No matter the class or lesson, enjoy your time. Learning a new skill can be so exciting. You will thank yourself for it!
Ready to apply these tips to class? Sign up for a class by sending us an info request or give us a call at 626.282.[ROCK]7625!
Due to popular demand, PopRock Academy is now offering more Acting on Camera classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!
If you are interested in acting, we want to work with you regardless of whether you are a beginner or well-seasoned actor. Our acting instructors are professionals with experience in the Hollywood industry, committed to creating curriculum dedicated to the needs of each student that they work with. Our curriculum is developed by Paul Kwo, an experienced veteran actor who is best known for his role of Martin Yip in the blockbuster franchise "God's Not Dead." Students can expect to receive instruction helpful for success and adjustment to the acting industry. If you are a theater actor looking to begin acting on camera, we can help you get a head start!
PopRock Academy offers more than Acting on Camera classes. We also teach Scene Studies, Fundamental Acting, and YouTube Acting & Production. There are so many options here that you are bound to find the class that suits you best. Begin your acting journey by submitting an info request or by giving us a call at 626.282.[ROCK]7625!
Unleash Your Creativity with Us!
YouTube continues to be a rapidly expanding social media platform as content creators are constantly uploading videos. As a viewer, we simply have to type in the search bar about our desired topic and we are led to a five to seven minute video of information. To the viewer, this process takes under ten minutes. However, to the creator, there are hours of script-developing and camera work that result in the short video that they upload. It is a creative process that is time-consuming and challenging, but it is very rewarding in the end.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be behind a camera or to be included in a script-writing process? Here at PopRock Academy, we offer a YouTube Production and Acting class. If you are interested in film-making and production, this is the perfect course for you. In the YouTube class, students learn how to be comfortable in front of a camera and practice allowing their personalities to shine through in both improvised and scripted acting. Students are also encouraged to take part in writing scenes for shorts, which are later filmed in class and uploaded onto our YouTube channel.
Is your child between the age of nine and seventeen and interested in acting? Do they have a big personality, or need some help opening up to others? If so, we invite you to be part of the exciting and energy-filled group of students at our school. Send us an info request or give us a call at 626.282.[ROCK]7625!
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!