Performing arts have been an integral part of the rich Malaysian culture and tradition for decades. Besides the visual arts that have been quite a popular movement in the country, the performing arts segment has been growing by leaps and bounds as more people are showing interest.
Top Music and Performing Arts avenues
Over the years, several centres have become synonymous with the performing arts like klPAC and at one time, Instant Café. With the growth and development of this industry, more names have since popped up. Here are some of the top centres.
Absolute Music Performing Arts Centre (AMPAC)
Located in Ara Damansara, AMPAC is a music centre that provides all types of classes for children of all ages. They get to learn instruments like drums, guitar, keyboard and cello, among others. Besides that, children get to enrol into the vocal classes to learn how to sing.
Absolute Music Performing Arts Centre (AMPAC)
Address: No. D-2-23 & D-1-23, Block D, Jalan PJU 1A/20B, Dataran Ara Damansa, Petaling Jaya
Contact: 016-283 1248
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)
klpac or The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre is perhaps one of the most popular names in Malaysia when it comes to performing arts. Operating in a rustic and refurbished area in Sentul, it has been around since 2005 and has since offered some of the top shows in the country. Beautifully crafted and built around the natural surroundings of a lake and small forest, it brings in more than 50,000 visitors annually. Besides shows and plays, klpac has classes like dance and drama as well.
The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre @ Sentul Park
Address: Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan (off Jalan Ipoh), 51100 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603 4047 9010
Aurora Dance School
The Aurora Dance School has been around since 1989 founded by Suraya Ahmad Kamil. This centre has produced thousands of dancers since then for students from a tender age of 3. Not only does the school teach the students the skills but build strong confidence and self-esteem amongst them too. Among the classes that are offered at the Aurora Dance School include:
- Classical Ballet
- Modern Ballet
- Contemporary
- Jazz
- and Competitive Ballroom Dancing
Aurora Dance School
Address: Taipan SJ Studio, No 23, 2nd Floor, Jalan USJ 10/1F, 47620 Subang Jaya
Contact: +6 03 56346984, +6 016 3110249 / 349
Address: Kota Damansara Studio, No 19-3, 3rd Floor, Jalan PJU 5/9, Dataran Sunway, 47810 Kota Damansara
Contact: +6 03 74961913, Mobile: +6 016 3110949/3110742
Selangor Institute of Music
Selangor Institute of Music or SIM is one of the oldest music schools in Malaysia. It has been operating for more than 80 years, producing thousands of musical talents across the country. Besides offering instrument classes like piano, violin, electrical guitar, recorder, drums and ukulele, SIM offers courses for children through its Kindermusik programme. It currently operates 3 centres around the Klang Valley, one each in Ampang, Petaling Jaya and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
Kindermusik in Ampang
Addres: Lot 2.12, Second Floor, The Amp Walk, No. 218, Jalan Ampang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-2163 2218
Kindermusik in Petaling Jaya (PJ)
Addres: 18, Jalan 19/36, Petaling Jaya, 46300, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: 03-7956 6202
Kindermusik in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI)
Address: 41-2 Jln Tun Mohd Fuad 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-7722 1017
Karen Barnes School of Dance
This is a very reputable name in the dance industry. At Karen Barnes School of Dance, children can enjoy a professional education in learning this art. From 5 years to 18 years of age, students are able to take dancing as a potential career through the established courses which has produced some of the best dancers across the world. Among the courses that are offered here include tap dance, ballet and modern dance.
Karen Barnes School of Dance
Address: 38, Jalan Tanjong 5/4, Bukit Gasing, 46000 Petaling Jaya
Contact: 019-345 5110
Dancesteps Studio
One of the most established dance schools in Malaysia, Dancesteps Studio has been around since 1999. The studio is the brainchild of Shirena Hamzah, a local renowned dance and choreographer. The studio operates in Mont Kiara which comes with some of the most impressive facilities and equipment like dance rooms and costumes. Among the classes that are run at Dancesteps Studio are:
- Ballet
- Tap
- Modern
- Jazz
- Hip-Hop
- and Contemporary
Classes here are provided for anyone interested in levels ranging from amateur to professional.
Dancesteps Studio HQ
Address: 20, Jalan Solaris 5, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 6211 1753 / +603 6203 7946
Bentley Music Academy
BMA or Bentley Music Academy came through from Bentley & Co when it was founded by Mr Phua Sin Loke back in 1975. It began as an instrument store then when it was located in Masjid India. Today, Bentley has grown to become the largest music instrument distributor in the country as a prominent music school. From Majid India, it moved to Jalan Bukit Bintang on its 4-storey building which is still operating to current day. Today, it operates its Mega Store in Mutiara Damansara, a place they have been operating since 2008. This is where the Bentley Music Academy is offering all types of music classes for people from all ages.
Wisma Bentley / Bentley Music Academy
Address: 4th Floor, Wisma Bentley Music, 3, Jalan PJU 7/2, Mutiara Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya
Contact: (603) 7727 3333 ext. 112/ 113
Bentley Music Academy Bukit Bintang Branch
Address: 140-142 2nd Floor, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: (603) 2144 3333 ext 228
Performing Arts Center of Penang
PenangPAC or Performing Arts Center of Penang is the result of the collaboration between The Actors Studio and Eastern & Oriental Berhad. It is a non-profit organisation and is the first arts centre in the northern region of the country. It runs The Actors Studio Academy which carry out courses and classes for people to learn more about Performing Arts, drama, dance and freestyle for people from all ages.
PenangPAC
Address: 3H-3A-1, Quay One, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Pulau Pinang.
Contact: +604 8991 722 / 2722
Baby Tots at Play
This is a center targeted to cultivate the creative arts among children. Operating more than 5 outlets across the Klang Valley, Babytots@play is an exciting place for the kids to enjoy learning that coevr music, art and craft, sensory play and other courses that help kids develop and grow better.
Babytots@play (HQ) (Bandar Botanic)
Address: 40-1, Jalan Mahogani 1/KS7, Bandar Botanic, Klang 41200 Selangor
Contact: 017-2106112
Temple of the Fine Arts
The Temple of the Fine Arts is a non-governmental centre which has been established by Swami Shantanand Saraswathi or Swamiji. The centre’s philosophy is rooted in Hinduism where it opened its doors in 1981. From a place of worship in Little India, it has become a central place to advocate and support arts since it opened its doors.
Temple of Fine Arts
Address: 114 – 116, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-2274 3709
Five Arts Centre
The Five Arts Centre is another major center that promotes performing arts in Malaysia. Envisioned and established by a group of practitioners who were extremely passionate in the art, the center aims to create more awareness and deliver the arts to the people. Five Arts Centre opened its doors in 1984 by Chin San Sooi, Krishen Jit and Marion D’Cruz, it has now grown to become a major platform for practitioners and art lovers alike that not only organize shows but provides classes as well.
Five Arts Centre
Address: 27 & 27A Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 7, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 77254858