The Road to the Disney Performing Arts Conservatory

           

           

      Just like thousands of other moms throughout the country, we here at the Disney Gals are no different when it comes to being proud of our children and their accomplishments and of course their number one cheerleaders.  For Disney Gal Kelly, it’s watching her instrumentally gifted children as they proudly marched down Main Street in Walt Disney World. Sammy, Disney Gal Lori’s son quite literally is the man on the flying trapeze.  Disney Gal Judy’s son Paul is our social media guru, guiding us each step of the way as we enter our second year. Disney Gal Tricia’s daughter Makena has a heart of gold at the ripe old age of seven as she raises money for Give Kids the World and follows in her mom’s running footsteps having just completed her first 5K.  At our house, Zack is about to live out his dreams of a lifetime when a week from today he will enter the Disney Performing Arts Conservatory at Disneyland Resort in California.

           

For those unfamiliar with this program, students from across the country will be given the chance to hone their performance skills at the first ever Disney Performing Arts Conservatory. This five-day comprehensive series of workshops focus on select areas of the performing arts including acting, dancing and vocal.  Led by entertainment professionals, students such as Zack will be participating in master classes, will go behind the scenes of beloved Disneyland Resort entertainment offerings as well as learn just what it takes to have a career in the entertainment industry and what it’s like once you achieve your goal. These workshops and classes culminate with a performance put on in Disney California Adventure Park on the Hollywood Back Lot Stage.

            Zack’s particular passion is dance-more specifically, Zack is a hoofer. He came out of the womb tapping and hasn’t stopped ever since. Trained by Katherine Malaby of the acclaimed Katherine Wheeler Dancers from the ripe old age of 3, over the years Zack has not only grown as a performer but perfected his art both as a dancer, and as a competitor as a member of the award winning,  nationally ranked Katherine Wheeler Competition team . Recently, Zack has branched out into teaching and choreographing.  And while  dancing and being on stage is a part of his soul and who he is, when the email came letting us know that Disney was excited to have him as a participant and please come ready to sing your favorite musical theater song, I must admit we were thrown for loop-at least a little bit. However, like with all good Disney storytelling, because after all, isn’t it the story telling that Disney does best; this story has a happy ending.

            Readers from all over immediately gave positive energy and fabulous suggestions to help Zack find “THE” song and for that, we are eternally grateful. So just what goes into finding the perfect song? Here’s what we learned along the way:

•  First, pick a song that best fits you. Be comfortable, be yourself and remember in the end, you aren’t there to impress others-you are there to showcase who you are.

•           Pick a song that allows you to show who you are through your stage presence-a  song that will allow you to show your confidence and most importantly a song you can have fun with.
  
  
  ·         Be friendly, confident, in control, courteous and happy to be there.  If you come    across as a positive person who is fun to be around, you’ll be amazed how strong  the reaction will be.
  
  
  ·         Always remember, the director truly wants to like you and is on your side. Have fun and enjoy your audition! The rest will all fall into place
  
  
  
  

            Be sure to join us next week as we report live from the Disneyland Resort as Zack goes in to “Seize the Day” with the Disney Performing Arts Conservatory and catch all the current happenings right here and on Twitter @disneygals and Instagram @DisneyGalGayle and of course on Disney Gals on Facebook. “Believe in the possibilities…live your dreams!”

Gayle is a Disney Gal that loves churros for breakfast, still gets giddy with delight at the first sight of the “Disneyland next exit sign”, loves the overwhelming emotions and memories that come with each and every return to the Happiest Place on Earth and dreams of one day being the Captain of the Jungle Boat. To learn more about Gayle, click here