What they’re saying!
Here is what some of our associates, students and friends have to say about the MGA Academy…
The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh
Dear Andrew
I am still inundated with letters and emails from members, saying how much they enjoyed Friday night's dinner, the entertainment, and specifically your students! They really were superb, and I do hope they enjoyed performing at the Club. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Musical Director of Billy Elliot in the West End, Chris Hatt
Peer education for performers in training… Young Professionals helping prepare the next generation of Actors, Singers and Dancers. The MGA Academy of Performing Arts have hit the mark and hit it with flair! Few training programmes available have such strong links with (and such an intimate understanding of) the performance industry.
Gary
MGA will soon be the premium Academy of Performing Arts in the UK. So proud of everyone involved, from Andrew and Murray, the other teachers, the students who are amazing, and all who support MGA.
Rhiannon
I was privileged to be one of the first MGA Full-Time students and I can honestly say it was the best choice I have ever made. I moved to Edinburgh in September 2008, not knowing anyone, but I had no need to worry as immediately I was welcomed in by the MGA family. I was soon to realise that not only was it a family, but a family of complete professionals. The training at MGA is most definitely up there with the top training available in the UK. The teachers are so experienced and passionate in what they are teaching that it makes you want to work harder and strive to be the best that you can be. I have learnt so much from the most inspiring and talented teachers at MGA and I am truly grateful.
To completely explain in words what MGA means to me is impossible. Experience it for yourself, you will not be disappointed :-)
Jordan
I have not been involved with the MGA Academy for a long time, but the short time I have has been truly amazing. I don’t think there is another academy with such talented and enthusiastic tutors and teachers who are there to make your training the most fun and inspirational time of your life. I can just tell the Academy is going to grow uncontrollably in an incredibly short amount of time into one of the most amazing Performing Arts academies out there. I am so glad I can say I am even slightly part of such an amazing company!
Gemma
I love MGA!
I took my first MGA dance class in early 2008 and since then they’ve not been able to get rid of me! I feel so proud to have watched and been a part of this company's growth. Joining Fierce Performance group when it first began to go onto being one of the first MGA Full-Time students, to currently being one of MGA Management's clients. Without MGA I wouldn’t be where I am today!
All the staff are so dedicated to getting the best out of all their students, putting so much into preparing them for this industry and are also some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet! I am so excited for the new building to open, and gutted i’ve already done my training, its going to be AMAZING!! I’d recommend MGA to anyone as training with MGA was one of the best decisions i've ever made, you’ll honestly not regret it!
Cameron
I am a student at MGA and I still can’t believe how much I have learnt over the past year. You get to work with some of the best in the business and the training is incredible. I am so grateful to be a part of it and cannot wait to see what The Academy can offer me in the future!
Darren
I know it’s cliché to say, but, quite literally, in one week of their audition technique workshop, I managed to learn more about my craft and, ultimately, me, as a performer, than weeks, even months of my full-time course. MGA have so much to offer as tutors, both in their mature teaching ability and their clear and concise, expert knowledge.
In addition to a wealth of knowledge and excellent teaching skills, what keeps me coming back to each class is the encouraging atmosphere they create in their teaching environment. The high level of skill which is taught in their classes can be off putting to the learning performer; in an MGA class however, I constantly feel inspired.
Iona
I have been a student at MGA for almost one year and I still can’t get over the level of training! I’m so grateful to all of the teachers, and other students who make every day at MGA so amazing! I love every minute, and can’t wait to see what next year at the Part Time School will bring! :)
Keith
Personally I have found in working with MGA and Fierce that what I have learned won’t be forgotten and will be taken into many experiences in the future. The tutors have an amazing energy for teaching their students and their style is unique. They work together and never let the stress of performing and teaching show through.
Greg
I feel lucky and privileged to have trained with Murray, Andrew and Marcella. They have not only helped me grow as a performer, but given me inspiration, confidence and knowledge in abundance.
Murray is undoubtedly one of the most talented dancers and one of the most gifted, inspirational and dedicated teachers I have ever known. Andrew is absolutely A-mazing. As a teacher he brings a wealth of knowledge and technique to every class I have spent with him. Marcella is without a doubt in my mind one of the most talented vocalists and teachers I have known, and her knowledge and musicality astounds me with every class.
In the short time I have spend with them, they have shown me kindness, encouragement, technique and more, things which I feel eternally indebted to them for.
Becki
As a student of MGA Part-Time Theatre School and a member of Fierce performance, I feel incredibly lucky to be given the chance to work with some very talented people! Murray, Marcella and Andrew are all excellent teachers with lots of enthusiasm and belief in what they are doing. I thank everyone at MGA for their help and encouragement and hope to do lots more work with them in the future! :) x
Ruth Carney, Associate Director of the West End smash hit, Lord of the Rings and current Creative Associate for Sheffield Theatre
Whatever your involvement in MGA, be it as a Full-Time, Part-Time or Workshop student, a regular staff member or visiting tutor, a management client or a company looking for support in your own projects, I can confidently say that both Andrew and Murray will do all they can to help you succeed. With The MGA Company growing in size and stature in the professional Performing Arts industry I can’t think of a better pair to help you.
I offer all training at MGA the the very best of wishes and success for the future.
Ayesha
I am very proud to say I am a student and part of MGA, our teachers are outstanding.
Murray is a phenomenal dancer and teacher, I can say that over the years of Fierce and this year of Part-Time my dancing has improved a lot. Andrew is also amazing with his voice, and his kindness, and can always bring a smile to anyone's face! Marcella is such an inspiration, I have learnt so much from her and calling her my singing coach makes me very very proud. She has also built my confidence with singing to other people and been very encouraging. And Ann is like a second mother :)
MGA feels like one big family, including the teachers. I have learnt SO much and can’t wait to stay on to learn more. I feel very lucky to be part of MGA and too know such amazing coaches/friends.
Fiona
I’ve been with MGA for less than a year and have already improved so much!
Before I came to MGA there was no chance I would ever sing or act in front of anyone, I knew nothing about my voice, I could not act for toffee and I was at a much lower level of dance. MGA has brought me on so much and already I feel a lot more confident, i’ve actually sung in front of people!!
The teachers are AMAZING. I know people who are jealous I have the teachers I do. I can’t thank them enough for letting me into the company and actually giving me a chance, I don't think other companies would, to be honest! They do so much for us and they are so friendly and want the best for everyone, I couldn't think of better teachers.
I LOVE MGA :)
Sirinya
I’ve been an MGA student for ages, started off at Stage Academies then moved on to the Part-Time Music Theatre course. I love it, it’s like my second home.
The training that we receive is amazing. The tutors - Andrew, Murray, Marcella and Michael - the rest of the staff and the outside guest tutors who come along to work with us are so professional, and inspiring. The friends you make are friendships that you know will last forever, as we are all one big Family unit!
I am so honoured to be a part of this amazing establishment, and so proud of their achievements that they have made in the last couple of months. Thank you MGA for everything you have done for me, I am so grateful!
West End and International Singer, Gary Williams
Training establishments like Andrew's and Murray’s are the foundation of Arts in our communities and inspire thousands of young people to build their confidence, and discover the thrill of achieving great things as a team. All valuable skills for life, whatever the future might hold for each student.
Zoe
As a member of the Part-Time School and Fierce I feel I am being trained in the best possible way. Before I joined any sort of theatre/performance group I had no confidence in myself whatsoever, except in the shower where I sang because I thought no one could hear me!
I feel incredibly lucky to be given the chance to work with some very talented people and teachers who have helped me come out my shell and become who I am today. I can’t actually believe how far I have come on in my singing. Marcella is such an inspiration to me, I have learnt so much from her and calling her my singing coach makes me very proud. She has also built my confidence in myself a lot, from having first met her when I would not sing in front of anyone to now singing in front of an audience of nearly 100. WOW!
Murray, all I can say to him is that he is an amazing teacher and makes me smile every time I enter his class - a very talanted man, such an inspiration to young boys that want to dance. Andrew is the kindest and funniest person, and can always bring a smile to anyone’s face! He has a amazing voice and is such a good teacher as he makes it fun learning. MGA is the best and I don't know what I would be doing if I never started. I am so very lucky to be part of the family and it's the thing I look most forward to in my week :)
