Odile L. Melder

ATCL (Teacher, Speech & Drama)
LTCL (Teacher, Speech & Drama)
FTCL  Trinity Guildhall London

Drama teacher at Lyceum International School
Nugegoda from July 1998 to present

Productions at Lyceum International School Nugegoda

• Pocahontas, the True Princess
• The Dreamer- incorporating songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

For competitions

• Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, 1st Runner Up at the Inter-Schools Shakespeare Drama Competition organized by Alethea International School and Cambridge International Examinations, in association with Trinity Guildhall London
• Hecabe by Euripides, finalist at the Inter-International Schools Drama Competition
• The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams, finalist at the Inter-International Schools Drama Competition
• The Tempest by William Shakespeare
• Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakepeare
• Mulan - 1st Runner Up at all island Drama Competition organized by I.W.M.S

Directed Theatron productions since 2006

Drama teacher at Colombo International School Colombo from 1988 – 1998

• The Wiz, a musical adaptation of the Wizard of Oz
• Joseph, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical
• Oliver, the Lionel Bart Musical
• Pocahontas, a musical

For the British Council, Colombo

• Mummy’s Boy, 2003
• Half a Chick, 2003

Trained numerous All Island prize winners and exhibition prize winners both at the grade and Diploma level for Trinity Guildhall performance exams.
Member of the Board of Examiners for the Institute of Western Music and Speech (IWMS)
Winner of the Classical Association All-Island Oratorical Competition

My goal as a drama teacher is to empower each individual to make a personal statement that is; effective, progressive, vibrant and unique in its imprint on the vast platform of life. I draw on the power of imagination and combine this with knowledge and experience as I use each individual before me as my inspiration.
I use a selective range of the different genres of literature combining this with role-play and interactive activities to foster and build on the esteem of the individual, while encouraging the respect of ‘the other’ in terms of  situation , place, status, ethnicity and history. I’m  happy to be able to contribute to the goal of  our founder Mr  Mohan Lal Gero in helping every individual who comes under my instruction  to  realize the  motto of our school ‘Know Thyself” through the medium of drama, and am grateful for the opportunity to do so.
I explore and experiment as I work and encourage the same from my students. My passion for music, song and dance sees the creative side of me project a dramatic view point enhanced by mime and movement: for performance, I believe, must be enriching, empowering and memorable. 

Andrea Mari Melder LaBrooy

ATCL (Teacher, Speech & Drama)
LTCL (Teacher, Speech & Drama)
Diploma in Psychology

Drama Teacher at Lyceum International School,
Nugegoda from 2003 to present

Professional

• Member Soul Sounds, directed by Soundarie David
• Gold medalists in three categories at the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria
• Silver medalists in 2 categories at World Choir Games in Graz, Austria
• Global Performances:
• October 2010 : Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
• August 2010: Los Angeles & New York, USA
• June 2009: Beijing, China
• 2009:  Normandy, France
• February 2009: Delhi, India
• April 2007: Kuwait
• February 2007: Tour of Australia, including performance at Sydney Opera House
• 2006: Delhi
• 2004: Wales, UK

Member of the Board of Examiners for the Colombo Academy of Language Skills and Dramatic Art (CASLDA)

My love for children and passion for the performing Arts led me to join the lyceum family in 2003. Working with youngsters aged between 2 and 18 has been tremendously rewarding. I am forever grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Mohan Lal Grero for their motivation, zeal and contribution to enhancing performing Arts at Lyceum Nugegoda. In all my endeavours with Lyceum I use my skills, talents and creativity in song and drama to equip these young individuals to be better empowered both to contribute to life and experience it in all its fullness.

Kavitha Gunesekera

ATCL (Performer, Speech & Drama) under the
guidance of Mrs. Odile Melder
Diploma in English & English Language
Teaching - Open University of Sri Lanka
Diploma in Psychology – Metropolitan College
Colombo
Currently reading for B.A. in English & English
Language Teaching

Teacher at Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, since August 2010

Teacher of Speech & Drama and English at Gateway College, Colombo 04 till July 2010: Co-directed the Key Stage 1 production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ (an adaptation of the Walt Disney musical) in July 2010

Anchor / Reporter for the Maharaja Broadcasting Corporation (MTV / Yes FM News 1st) till 2009

Coordinator for the Gateway Language Centre / School of Speech & Drama till 2007

Past pupil and Deputy Head Prefect of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda

First runner-up at the All-island Young Speakers Contest 2006, organized by the Colombo Toastmasters Club
Exhibition Award 2006, 2007 – Trinity Guildhall, London
Silver Medals - Trinity Guildhall, London for Grade 7, Grade 8 Speech & Drama

Presently a freelance journalist.

My principal passion is to impart the knowledge I have gained as creatively, engagingly and zealously as possible, so that my students understand and appreciate performance, in all its aspects, as a reflection of life itself. My aim is to develop each child’s gift, be it drama, speech, song, dance or creative writing, irrespective of age or background. I believe that, in the words of the Hebrew proverb, every child “is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit”, and that lighting even one such lamp each day in the classroom, will ensure that its beam casts an unmistakable glow around. I look forward to learning as I teach, whilst inspiring a love for performance and the Arts among the children.

Bennola Gerard

Associate holder of the
Trinity College London in Music (ATCL)
Performance Exhibition award winner for
performers certificate (solo piano) recital 2006
Also completed grades 1-8 and
Performers Certificate in vocal (TCL)


Currently preparing for LTCL under Mrs. Ramya Perera

Teacher at Lyceum International School, Nugegoda from March 2011 to present Music/ singing Teacher – KinderCare Montessori House of Children 2008-2009

All Island Inter-School Western Music and Dance Competition 2002 Junior choir, category A 1st Junior Solo singing, category A 2nd

Past pupil of St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo 7 and member of the Collegiate Choir. Member of the Editorial Board of the English Literary Association – 2005

Completed course in Media & leadership conducted by the Kandy Diocesan Media Centre-2006

Performed as vocalist and pianist in many public productions since the age of six, directed by Mrs Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu and late Ms Ruwani Seimon to name a few. Charity performances include 'Music for a cause' – 2007

Also part of the choir in the first ever opera staged in Sri Lanka, The Pearl Fishers – 2008

Teaching has always been my passion and the best way I sought to achieve it was through music, the universal language. Having worked with kindergarten children previously it is a new and wonderful experience working with children aged between 6 -14. Students learn to become more creative in their approach when combining drama and music. I aspire to use this opportunity to utilize my skills to bring out the students' innate abilities. I believe that music has a unique impact on the soul and the infusion of this aspect into the Theatron will elevate the work done there to another platform.

AMI Diploma with Distinction

Teacher at Lyceum International School,
Nugegoda from June 2008 to present
Assisted in the productions
The Dreamer - 2010
Dramatic Delights – 2008
Poetry around the World – 2009
Christmas Magic I, II and III – 2008, 2009

Employed at Hayleys (Pvt.) Ltd. for a period of thirteen years

Past pupil of Buddhist Ladies’ College, Colombo

I am a person who is positive about every aspect of life and who has a variety of interests. It is indeed a pleasure to work under the guidance of Ms Odile Melder whose teaching is entirely directed at bringing out the best in the child. I have enjoyed learning new lessons as I teach each day, providing my fullest support at all times. I have always felt happy to be aprt of the Lyceum family and I am proud to be a part of the Theatron. I look forward to a long journey,walking hand in hand.