ASHLAND — Area children will have the opportunity to explore a variety of areas of the arts as the newly formed Arts Academy begins to offer classes at the Paramount Arts Center.

Melanie Sweeney, director of education and outreach for the Paramount, said classes will get started this month.

“What’s exciting is that there really is something for almost everyone,” she said.

‰“Mother’s Morning Out,” for children ages 3 to 5, exposes the young ones to the arts while mothers get some time to themselves. Parents are welcome to stay with their children if they prefer, Sweeney said. These sessions are scheduled for Wednesday and Jan. 27 and Feb. 12 and 26, all from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Cost is $10 per session and advance registration is required, as class size is limited.

Day-care centers are welcome to register for these sessions as well. Topics include “Fun with Fairy Tales,” “Treasures of the Sea,” “My Funny Valentine” and “Winter Wonderland.” Activities will include music, movement, arts and crafts and creative drama. Sweeney, who has a degree in arts education, will lead all sessions.

‰Home schoolers can take advantage of “The ABCs of Acting,” a six-week class that will meet Thursday, Jan. 22 and 29 and Feb. 12, 19 and 26, all from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Students will explore the elements of acting, terminology, audition skills, improvisation, creating a character and more. On the final day, students will present a short performance for their parents.

“This is a great way to introduce arts into the home school curriculum,” Sweeney said. “We have had several requests from home schoolers in the past to offer this type of program and, if the interest continues, there is the potential to continue with these by offering advanced sessions.”

Cost of this class is $75 per student and is geared toward grades three through nine. A minimum of 10 students is required and those interested should pre-register by today.

‰In addition to morning classes, there will be two classes offered as part of the Evening Academy. “Creating a Character,” geared toward students in grades six through 12, is a six-week class meeting for three days in January and three days in February, from 5 to 6 p.m. Cost is $50 per student for all six classes.

“This session is geared toward kids who want the maximum exposure to the arts in a particular discipline,” Sweeney said. “For example, you may have students in a school play or community theater, who, during the rehearsal period or even between projects, don’t have the opportunity to really focus on improving their skills. Study here will help them achieve their own personal goals and help them work toward reaching their maximum potential.”

Because the class will be individualized for each participant, it isn’t necessary for students who have had any experience. “In fact, this class is perfect for both beginning and experienced acting students as they will have input in their choice of monologue and it will be focused on their individual experience level,” Sweeney said.

‰No experience is required for the fourth session either, and it is open for students age 12 through adults. “Theatrical Dance” will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. beginning Tuesday. Cost is $45 per person for a four-week period, and a minimum of five students is required.

The dance class will be an ongoing session that teaches skills and dance styles necessary to succeed in musical theater. Styles studied will include jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, lyrical and more. “Students, regardless of their age or experience level will learn to use their body effectively and confidently on stage,” Sweeney said.

“Having worked in musical theater, I’ve seen a lot of students, especially male students, who come to auditions and their acting and singing skills are strong but they are intimidated by the dance number,” Sweeney said. “These classes take that fear out of the process and allows them to become a real triple threat in their performance.”

All classes will be at the Paramount Arts Center.

For more information about the program or to register for classes, call Sweeney at (606) 324-3175, ext. 311.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.