Oconee Youth School of Performance
Welcome to Oconee Youth School of Performance (OYSP), a vibrant hub for aspiring young performers located at 1050 Jamestown Blvd in the heart of Watkinsville, Georgia. Just a stone's throw from Athens, OYSP is not only a place to learn the performing arts but also a nurturing community where creativity flourishes. With a stellar rating of 4.8 stars, the school is renowned for its dedication to empowering youth through engaging classes, dynamic camps, and spectacular performances. Whether your child dreams of stepping into the spotlight in a Broadway-style production or wishes to hone their dance skills, OYSP offers a comprehensive range of programs designed to inspire confidence and artistic expression. At OYSP, we pride ourselves on the strong sense of community that keeps families coming back year after year. Our enthusiastic instructors, many of whom are experienced professionals in the performing arts, foster an environment where students can explore their talents and build lasting friendships. Parents rave about the transformative experiences their children have at OYSP, noting how the school has been instrumental in their personal growth and social integration. From competitive dance teams to theatrical productions that showcase the raw emotion and excitement of live performances, OYSP’s offerings are designed to accommodate every young performer’s aspirations. Discover the joy of the stage and the supportive community that awaits your child at Oconee Youth School of Performance—where every student is a star in the making! For more information, visit us at [oconeeyouth.com](http://oconeeyouth.com) or give us a call at (706) 769-2677.
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Reviews & Questions
Google Reviews
Steven Nugent
I love Broadway. I love the acting and the raw emotion of live on stage work. One of my favorite plays on Broadway is Matilda. The storyline is great. Tonight Janna and I were invited to OYSP to watch our friends Lina & Logan’s daughter perform as Matilda. Needless to say, when she told me about it at Easter brunch, I was excited to see her perform. What I wasn’t ready for, was the Broadwayesque delivery by local youth players. Now mind you, I’ve never seen an OYSP performance up to now. Nothing to gauge my expectations. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. The singing, the blocking, movement, monologues (and there are many), and the direction of over a 100 young performers was without a doubt, REMARKABLE!!! Funny thing is I’ve been to so many gatherings with Terra and Shane, have many friends whose kids have spent countless hours training at OYSP, but have just never had the time to see a performance. For some of you reading this, it may be old news. To this guy, I’m now a fan. I may even go back next week for an encore. If you could have seen the attention to detail and passion these young people put into their craft, you would be inspired. I sure was! And having seen Matilda performed twice by Broadway players, I can say without hesitation, this group killed it! Thank you Lina & Logan for the invite. Thank you OYSP for creating a special place for young performers with talent. A place of expression. Everyone shined bright tonight. If you’re looking to smile, laugh, and maybe even cry….go see Matilda at OYSP tomorrow or next week! You won’t regret it.
Melinda DeMaria
As our daughter is about to begin her senior year of high school it seems like a perfect opportunity to reflect on her time in school and her activities. Her primary activity outside of school has been dancing with OYSP and doing the shows since she was in kindergarten! When it came time for our second daughter to find her path she truly wanted to have the opportunities afforded by OYSP/OYP! Both of our girls have grown as dancers, singers and performers but also learned tremendous time management skills, loyalty, how to receive feedback and how to be a friend. Their scope of friends spans many counties who each bring many experiences to the table to help our girls grow. The staff at OYSP/OYP have been compassionate, caring and most willing to meet the girls where they were with their skill and push them appropriately to grow to the levels where they can be successful and proud of the work they present on the stage. For our family, this has been a wonderful place to be!
Sharron Hannon
For 20+ years, I've watched my son and daughter-in-law pour their hearts and souls into sharing the performing arts with young people in the surrounding area through OYSP and its sister organization, Oconee Youth Playhouse. It has been so amazing to watch them pursue their passion and to see the magic they work with the hundreds of kids who have come through the doors of their studio every year over those two decades! And now I get to see my grandsons take part in classes, dance and musical theater company and shows with OYP...they love every minute of it and so do I!!
Kim Arenas
All three of my girls have been a part of OYSP and OYP for over 15 years. We have had the best experience and love all that they have to offer: classes, camps, shows, competition dance ... we have been a part of it all!!! My 9 year old spends about 12 hours a week there and she still wishes she could be there more! The teachers are so loving and so talented and so gifted in the way they teach and interact with all the children.
Suzanne Voyles
Our daughter loved/loves being a member of the OYSP/OYP family! Moving to a new area as a middle schooler came with its challenges so we were so happy to be welcomed into the OYSP/OYP community. As a former student and now as a staff member, the studio will always be the place where our daughter feels she belongs, the place where she had so much fun singing, dancing and acting with friends and where the directors and teachers genuinely cared for her as an individual.
Melissa Martin
We have been attending oconee youth school performance for many years. This includes summer camps, classes, shows and participating in dance and musical theater company. We have never experienced anything but kindness and warmth. The training is stellar, and my kids have always had a fabulous experience! We have been in this program for over 12 years, and have no intentions of leaving until my youngest graduates from high school! Thank you Shane and Terra for your commitment to our kids!
Cheryl Slayden
My granddaughter has been involved with this studio for several years. She has received excellent training and many opportunities to experience competition as well as on stage performances. The studio has well trained instructors and an efficient operating staff. Many of their former students have gone on to acting and dancing colleges and employment. Having years of experience with her mother's own involvement in various studios, I can honestly say you will not regret participation with the outstanding OYSP.
Jordan Savannah Richey
OYSP is no doubt the best place to send your kids for all things dance and musical theater! I took classes here and was a member of the company for seven years and now work for the studio. It has been the best place to dance and work. The staff is incredibly talented and so hardworking. Cannot recommend this place strongly enough!
Sayward Johnson
I am so proud to be part of the oysp family! I have taught dance for them for the last three years, and my daughter is part of the dance company. She also has participated in many of the musical theater performances! Never have I met a more talented and caring group of kids and teachers! We love oysp!
Stacy Cail
It's hard to write anything but a glowing review for Oconee Youth School of Performance. Shane and Terra Hannon, the Artistic Directors/Owners, have proven themselves especially gifted in training up young actors, dancers, and singers since its opening almost 20 years ago. There is really no other place quite like it that does what it does the way that it does in Oconee or any of its surrounding counties. If you have a child who wants to take recreational classes or one who wants to train for Broadway and beyond, they will learn from outstanding teachers including the long-time Musical Director, Rachel Townes. Over the years I have seen OYSP students thoroughly entertain their community with their performances in their annual Spring Showcase, in regional dance and theater competitions, as well as in dozens and dozens of professional quality broadway musical shows produced by OYSP's sister company, Oconee Youth Playhouse. As a parent of a previous OYSP Musical Theater Company student, I can personally say OYSP really is the best place to make like-minded friends while you make life long memories. <3
