Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts offers free dance tuition to flood victims

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is offering free tuition for semester I 2007 dance classes to children (ages 4 to 17) whose families lost their homes in the recent flooding.

Semester I classes begin this week and run through Nov. 17. Classes are held at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at the corner of 10th and Vila streets. Classes and performance opportunities are available for girls and boys. Students may pick from a variety of dance genres including: ballet, tap, jazz, modern and hip hop. MCA also offer a special class just for boys.

“We recognize that many families in the area have lost their homes and are in financial difficulty. Dance tuition might be the last thing these families are concerned about,” said Christine Martin, MCA managing director, “So, we are offering free tuition to affected families who may be looking for a fun activity — designed to provide physical and aesthetic benefits, heightened self-respect, discipline and confidence — for their children.”

Parents interested in registering their child/children who wish to apply for MCA’s Flood Relief Scholarship Fund should contact Christine Martin at (507) 453-5501 or dance@smumn.edu. For more information about MCA visit www.smumn.edu/mca.