The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HfA) is thrilled to announce the launch of its Winter 2025 Youth Programs, designed to inspire and engage young minds in Muskoka. This season’s offerings include studio classes, creative camps, school workshops, and community events, all aimed at fostering artistic expression and skill development in children and teens.
Registration Information:
- HfA Members: Registration opens November 13 at 10:00 AM
- General Registration: Opens November 15 at 10:00 AM
To view the full program guide or register, please visit www.huntsvillefestival.ca.
HfA’s youth programs offer a unique opportunity for local students to connect with professional artists in the community. As a renowned not-for-profit organization, HfA is proud to work with local artists who generously share their expertise, passion, and knowledge with the next generation.
“Our programs are designed not only to teach technical skills but to inspire a lifelong appreciation for the arts,” says Hannah Naiman, Director of Programs, Education, and Outreach. “When you sign your child up for an HfA program, you can be confident that the experience will leave a lasting impression and ignite their creativity.”
Winter 2025 Program Highlights:
Early Childhood Programs
- Baby Song & Bounce (0-17 months) – Thursdays, 9:30-10:15 AM, January 9–February 27: Caregivers and little ones bond through music, rhythm, and playful activities in a relaxed environment. $120
- Disco Ducks (18 months–4 years) – Saturdays, 10:00-10:45 AM, January 11–March 1: A lively music and movement class where kids explore rhythm, dance, and instruments in a fun disco theme. $120
Youth Drama Programs
- Theatre Kids (Ages 4-6) – Saturdays, 11:00-11:45 AM, January 11–March 1: Children build confidence and creativity through drama games, costume play, and collaboration, culminating in a short performance. $120
- Drama Tweens (Ages 7-12) – Tuesdays, 4:00-6:00 PM, January 7–February 25: This engaging class covers improv, character development, and comedy, leading up to an original performance. $144
Visual Arts
- Sculpture Safari: After School Art (Ages 7-12) – Wednesdays, 4:00-5:30 PM, January 8–February 26: Children will create 3D papier-mâché animal sculptures and clay pinch pots, all while exploring different artistic techniques. $132
Special Workshop
- Teen Performing Arts Nights (TPAN) (Ages 12-18) – 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 PM: A fun and supportive space for teens to share their passions for the arts, with mentorship from professional artists Alberta Robinet and Sarah Vanesse. $40 + HST
Day Camps
- Dance & Print PA Day Camp (Ages 7-12) – Friday, January 31, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM: Morning sessions will feature creative self-expression through dance with Jillian Peever, followed by collagraph printmaking with Dawn Huddlestone in the afternoon. $40
- Pop Art & Pop Songs PA Day Camp (Ages 7-12) – Friday, February 28, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM: A fun, artistic day filled with bold pop art portraits and a songwriting session. Led by Carolyne Wagland (Pop Art) and Alana Nuedling (Songwriting). $40
- March Break Camp (Ages 7-12)- March 10–14, 8:30 AM–4:00 PM : A week-long theatrical adventure, including drama games, crafts, costume-making, and a backstage tour of the Algonquin Theatre. Campers will work toward a final performance on the big stage! $275
School Workshops
- Backstage Pass (Available for Grades 1-12)
- A unique, educational experience for local elementary and secondary school students, offering a backstage tour of the Algonquin Theatre followed by a drama workshop. Ideal for enhancing students’ understanding of the performing arts.
- Square Dance School Workshops (Available for Grades 1-12) – In collaboration with local schools, HfA offers Square Dance workshops in French and English, where students can have fun learning traditional social dances from a variety of cultures.
Community Events
- HfA Community Dance (All ages)- Sundays, 3:00–5:00 PM, January 19, February 16, and March 16: Join us for family-friendly folk dances with live calls by Hannah Shira Naiman. A fun way for families of all ages to connect and celebrate through dance. Suggested donation: $5/person or $20/family.
- Huntsville Festival of Music – March 25-26 : The return of The Huntsville Festival of Music features competitive and non-competitive classes, coaching, and adjudication in piano, solo/duet instrumental, solo voice, choral, and composition categories. Open to all ages, with opportunities for local students to showcase their talents. Registration opens in January.
School Shows
- Yes, yes, yes by Eleanor Bishop & Karin McCracken (Ages 14+)- March 4th, 10:15 AM & 12:30 PM @ Rene Caisse Memorial Theatre: Part documentary, part confession, part open conversation, Yes, Yes, Yes is a theatre show created specifically for young adults. Exploring the knotty and necessary topics of healthy relationships, desire and consent, it blends audience interaction with captivating solo performance.
- The Alphabet of Awesome Science (Grades 4-8)- March 21st, 10:00 AM & 12:30 PM @ Algonquin Theatre: Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge (the Word Nerd and the Science freak) for a thrilling voyage
- through the alphabet — where sesquipedalian words inspire mind-blowing scientific surprises!
To register or learn more visit www.huntsvillefestival.ca.
These programs are made possible through the support of the Chawkers Foundation: Supporters of the arts. For more information, contact Hannah Naiman, hannah@huntsvillefestival.ca, or 705-788-2787.
