Arts a Go Go! Performing Arts School for Kids Upper Hutt Ltd

About Arts a Go Go! Performing Arts School for Kids Upper Hutt Ltd

Whether it is to build confidence and friendships, or develop a potential talent in the performing arts, award winning Arts a Go Go! classes are for all kids from babies through to 19 year olds. Try a class in drama, or maybe a combo class of dance, drama and singing. Kick up your heels in Irish Dancing or develop your little one's music skills. At Arts a Go Go!, we place huge value on the impact a creative brain can have on all aspects of life. Arts a Go Go! - celebrating 16 years in the Upper Hutt community!


Arts a Go Go! is run by Rachel Main and Stuart Grant. Rachel and Stu are both qualified and experienced teachers who have a passion for working with children and youth and developing creativity through the arts. They have three children of their own. Joining them is a team of qualified and professional performing arts teachers, who are well respected in the arts industry and are well loved by the students.

Rachel is a registered teacher and was a school teacher and performer before starting Arts a Go Go! in 2008. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Diploma of Teaching, plus a Certificate in Education Leadership. Rachel has completed Level 1 and 2 of "Estill Voice Training" and also has an advanced diploma in modern dance (jazz). She is a member of NEWZATS (The New Zealand Association of Teachers of Singing) and MTNZ (Musical Theatre New Zealand). Rachel has been very involved in musical theatre over the years, and has performed on stage in a number of roles. She trained in drama teaching in Auckland as part of her teacher training and was Teacher in Charge of the Arts at an intermediate school before having her family. She has written and directed many shows and dance productions for children, and directed and trained children in singing , drama and dance for almost 30 years. As a performer, she has been part of a professional singing, dancing, storytelling entertainment group for young children. In 2013, Rachel was selected as one of four finalists in the "Leadership Category" of the "Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

Stu was director of Capital E, an internationally recognised performance and creative technology facility for children in Wellington and worked there passionately for 17 years. He was also the founder and director of the Capital E National Arts Festival, bringing two weeks of professional national and international theatre and performances to thousands of children and school groups every two years. Prior to that, he was head of Drama, Art and Music at a Hamilton middle school. His own acting experience includes many years in professional improvisation theatre and various plays. Stu has created and directed a number of productions for children. He has an honours degree in arts and the media, and has been invited to speak internationally on children and creativity. In 2015 Stu travelled to Edinburgh at the request of the British Council to peer review the Edinburgh Children’s Festival and was asked to attend the International Children’s festival in Okinawa, Japan, to forge relationships with Japan for New Zealand professional theatre.

We welcome you and your child or young person to the Arts a Go Go! family!