In Speech Arts public speaking classes, students perform poetry, tell stories, give speeches, and learn acting skills. My goal as a teacher is to support kids and teens to develop confidence in themselves, their ideas, and their imagination.
Register for a 15 Minute Trial Class for FREE
This is you and your child’s chance to meet me, and see if my teaching style is the right fit for their learning needs.
This virtual trial class will include a short lesson to assess where your child is starting from so we can set some achievable public speaking goals together. Afterwards, we can discuss any questions you may have.
About Speech Arts Classes (online program)
for kids and teens ages 7-18
Whether your child is a little shy and wanting to break out of their shell, or full of confidence and looking to develop as a performer, my Speech Arts classes are carefully designed to support them to achieve their goals. My curriculum is based on a combination of the RCM and BC’s English Language Arts curriculum, and is adjusted to suit the needs/interests of each individual student I work with.
My students have won first place in speech competitions at their school, taken home gold medals (like ‘the outstanding acting award’ and the ‘outstanding monologue performance award’) at various festivals, and have received First Class Honours for their Speech Arts RCM Exams. Even more important than the accolades: my students enjoy learning the poems and stories we select together, and often look back on the work we did to memorize and prepare a piece with a big smile.
A genuine love of performance and literature is being developed here, and will support them throughout their lives.
All classes are taught by Christine Bissonnette.
Register for the Next Term
Book a 15 minute trial class for free.
- Fall Term: September 24th – December 20th 2024 (13 classes)
- Winter Term: Jan 8th – March 14th 2025 (10 classes)
- Spring Term: April 1st – June 27th 2025 (13 classes)
To inquire about availability and register for a term, email Christine at christine@9creativelives.com
*New students are welcome to register for class mid-term.
Why Enrol in Speech Arts Classes?
Learning Objectives
The study of Speech Arts and Public Speaking gives kids / teens an opportunity to:
- practice public speaking skills and learn tools for feeling comfortable (even excelling) on stage;
- learn what to do when they get the pre-performance jitters (ie. feel nervous);
- develop confidence in themselves, their ideas, and imagination;
- discover how to use gesture and vocal variety to keep an audience engaged;
- strengthen their ability to memorize increasingly advanced poems, stories, and speeches;
- learn to understand and engage with poetic devices (many of my students develop a sincere love for poetry and prose);
- learn to speak with volume, clarity, and emotional connection to the piece they’re performing.
What does class work include?
While practicing the above skills, students build a repertoire of age-appropriate poems, stories, speeches, and monologues that they can recite by heart!
Additional studies include: mime (to develop body awareness), the creation of original speeches, improvisation, sight reading, and acting. Interested students may decide to take what they’ve learned and complete an RCM exam or register for a Speech Arts festival (like VAYA or CDMF).
Testimonials
“I feel very lucky to have found Christine as my daughter’s public speaking teacher after having her try with several teachers for several years intermittently… She is obviously a spontaneous speaking lover, I felt this from her very natural and relaxed state when she interacts with my daughter during each lesson in such an effective, organized, methodical, yet simple way.
– Yew (parent)
Ms. Christine is a very kind and pure person. Every time I heard the laughter and conversation from her and my daughter in their class, I felt we are so blessed to have her as one of my daughter’s learning guides. Definitely she is the best choice as a public speaking/vocal performance teacher for children.“
About Christine Bissonnette (your teacher)
Christine Bissonnette is a public speaking coach and poetry educator from Vancouver, BC. She has worked with Viva Voce Speech Arts Studio, ArtStarts in Schools, Insight Global Education, Vancouver Biennale, Place des Arts, and more. She also had the great pleasure of adjudicating the Speech Arts segment of the Pacific Northwest Music Festival in 2019 and 2024.
Program Costs
$95/ per hour + GST. For new students, there is a $50 Registration Fee. Returning students do not pay this fee.
Unless otherwise specified, all Speech Arts classes are 1 hour. Classes are currently held online, over Zoom.
15 MINUTE TRIAL CLASS
Price: FREE
This is you and your child’s chance to meet me, and see if my teaching style is the right fit for their learning needs.
This virtual trial class will include a short lesson to assess where your child is starting from so we can set some achievable public speaking goals together. Afterwards, we can discuss any questions you may have.
REGISTER FOR A TERM
New students are welcome to register for class mid-term.
- Fall Term: September 24th – December 20th 2024 (13 classes)
- Winter Term: Jan 8th – March 14th 2025 (10 classes)
- Spring Term: April 1st – June 27th 2025 (13 classes)
To inquire about availability and register for a term, email Christine at christine@9creativelives.com
Cancellation Policy
Please provide 12 hours notice for cancellations/rescheduling of private classes. Classes cancelled without adequate notice may be charged the class fee.