Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts registration open house is Thursday
WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts semester II registration open house will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.
Registration for Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS) choir and semester II dance classes, beginning Jan. 12, will be accepted at the open house. Students will have the opportunity to tour of the facility, enjoy refreshments, and meet new and returning faculty and staff. Students can be also be fitted for all their dance attire needs at the open house. MCA’s dance attire boutique offers quality basics including leotards, tights, ballet slippers, jazz shoes and tap shoes.
Dance class offerings are available for adults and children older than 3; they include beginning through advanced levels in classical ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement and modern, and hip hop. The Dance Technique for Boys and Men’s Class is a special tuition-free boys program.
Semester II also provides programming specifically for beginning teens and adults by offering classes in partnership with Winona County Community Education including: Clogging I, Clogging II, Dance Fitness, Power Piyo, and Teen and Adult Ballet. Academic credit is available through Cotter High School and Saint Mary’s University for a variety of MCA dance classes.
The official youth choir of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, WAYS offers students in grades 3 through 6 additional educational and choral performance opportunities. Semester II WAYS members will participate in a spring concert, a special mentorship program with Saint Mary's University choirs, and in community outreach by performing at nursing homes and for other charitable events. Placement for new members will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at Valéncia Arts Center. WAYS is dedicated to providing quality, artistic, and educational programs for all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances.
WAYS and semester II dance classes provide 10 to 14 weeks of instruction, depending on the specific course/activity registered for. Dance classes conclude with a demonstration week, April 13-18. WAYS will conclude the semester with the presentation of a spring concert, May 3. Tuition for MCA classes varies depending on course length and level. Discounts and scholarships are available.
In addition to participation in classes, dance students ages 13 to 25 are invited to audition for MCA’s performing troupe, The Dance Repertory Company. Auditions will be held in late January (specific audition date to be announced). The DRC will present an annual spring concert, May 14-16 at Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre.
For more information about MCA’s open house, dance classes, WAYS, or future performances, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University.
