Performing and Fine Arts

Find what they're good at
and what they enjoy doing

At RJ, we value the role of the Performing and Fine Arts in every student's educational journey. Through dance, drama, music, art classes and clubs, we foster creativity, self-expression, and confidence in a supportive environment.

Music

Music is a standout feature of our program. All Year 1 and 2 students receive a violin and participate in a structured practice program designed to enrich cognitive development and build discipline, focus, and a lifelong appreciation for music.

Students also have the opportunity to explore a wide range of brass, percussion, strings and woodwind instruments before committing to a full training program. Even our Principal leads an exploration group!

Junior School Music Groups

• Bucket Drumming (Years 3-6)
• Cantabile Choir (Auditioned)
• Groovy Guitar Tutorials & Ensemble (Years 3-6)
• Junior Guitar Ensembles (Years 3-6)
• Music Monday Strings (Years 3-6)
• Music Monday Band (Years 5-6)
• Novello Strings (Years 3-6)
• Ricky J Singers (Years 1-2)
• RJ Singstars (Years 3-6)

Junior School Exploration Music Groups

• Brass: Trumpet & Trombone
• Percussion: Drums & Xylophone
• Strings: Violin & Cello
• Woodwinds: Clarinet, Flute & Saxophone

Senior School Music Groups

• Chapel Band
• Choral Ensembles - Vox & Soulstice (Auditionable)
• Rookie & Funkie Guitar Tutorials & Ensemble
• Senior Guitar Ensemble
• Senior Band
• String Ensembles - Secondo, Vivace, Paganni
• Technical Support Team

Group tutorials are offered in woodwind, brass, and percussion.

Private Tuition

Available through our Peripatetic Tutors in:

• Brass (trumpet, trombone, euphonium)
• Drums
• Guitar (acoustic, electric, bass, ukulele)
• Piano, keyboard
• Strings (violin, viola, cello)
• Voice
• Woodwind (saxophone, clarinet, flute)

Learn More

• Individual Music Tuition Program: RJ Conditions for Individual Music Tuition
• Exploration of an Instrument Program: Exploration Program
• Hiring an Instrument: Music Equipment Hire T&C
• Choosing your Child's First Instrument: Learn More - First Musical Instrument

Dance

Dance is a universal form of expression - used across cultures to communicate, tell stories, and solve creative problems. It supports creative thinking, emotional expression, collaboration and confidence. We provide a safe and encouraging environment where students can develop their own style and explore movement imaginatively.

Junior School Dance

• Ricky J Dancers (Years 1-2)
• Ricky J Dance Stars (Years 3-6)
• Junior Dance Stars Company (Auditioned).

Senior School Dance

• Senior Dance Company

Students in Years 9 and 10 may select Dance as a subject, developing technique across Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. The course offers performance opportunities in composition, appreciation, school musicals, the co-curricular Dance program and the Dance Sharp Short Theatre competition. Learn more: Dance Years 9-10

Visual Arts @ RJ

Visual Arts is an important part of life at RJ, offering students opportunities to thrive academically, creatively, and personally. Artistic activities stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, and reflection—skills that translate across subjects from reading to mathematics.

Art encourages self-expression, identity exploration, stress management, and emotional resilience. Students learn to think innovatively by experimenting with ideas and developing original solutions—skills valuable in fields such as science, technology, and business.

Collaboration is a key part of our Visual Arts classroom and co-curricular programs, where students learn to share ideas, appreciate diverse perspectives, and work together. This is showcased in our annual Years 5–12 Curator’s Collection Visual Arts Exhibition

Visual Arts Clubs

• Junior School Artstars Club
• Senior School Masters of Art Club

Drama

Drama at RJ plays an important role in developing creativity, confidence, and communication skills. Students participate in vibrant clubs and classes and regularly compete in Sharp Short Theatre, often reaching the finals and occasionally winning Best Actress.

Senior drama students also perform for Junior School students and visit local nursing homes, enriching their experience and building community connections.

Many students have received OnStage nominations for HSC Drama (Monologue and Scriptwriting), with several achieving Band 6 results. A number pursue further study in the performing arts at Diploma or Tertiary level.

Drama Opportunities

• Stage 4 Drama Club
• Stage 5 Theatre Sports

What Students Learn:

Acting & Performance Skills

• Vocal ability, projection, accents
• Physical fitness and movement (mime, dance, mimicry)
• Improvisation
• Characterisation
• Memorisation and concentration

Production & Stagecraft

• Costumes, lighting, sound, scenery
• Film and video
• Directing and stage management
• Scriptwriting and devising
• Special effects and scene blocking

Cognitive & Creative Skills

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Research and investigation
• Problem solving
• Theme and script interpretation

Personal Development

• Self-esteem
• Creativity and imagination
• Self-expression
• Confidence
• Leadership

Interpersonal Skills

• Empathy
• Collaboration
• Negotiation
• Communication
• Listening and responding

Presentation Skills

• Articulation
• Rhythm and timing
• Audience engagement
• Non-verbal communication
• Strategies for managing nerves