Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts offers tuition-free youth choir
Kate Dulak and Alexa Akre participated last year in WAYS (the Winona Area Youth Singers) — a tuition-free youth choir for students in grades four through eight, offered by the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts.
WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is beginning its 2009-2010 season of WAYS (Winona Area Youth Singers), a new youth choir for students in grades four through eight.
In response to the current economic climate, MCA is waiving WAYS tuition for any and all students who desire to participate this year. This tuition waiver is made possible by a grant from the Saint Mary’s University Friends of the School of the Arts.
Now in its second year, WAYS provides quality, artistic, and educational programs for all young people. WAYS seeks to nurture the talent of students who have been introduced to choir/music in their elementary, middle, or junior high schools and who seek additional educational and performance opportunities in vocal music. The repertoire and focus of WAYS will be more intensive by nature, as it is meant to complement a student’s training in their school choirs. WAYS members will participate in two concerts per year, a winter concert on Dec. 6 and a spring concert yet to be announced. Additionally, WAYS members will also participate in a special mentorship program with SMU choirs, and will perform at nursing homes, malls, and charitable events, as well as go holiday caroling.
WAYS is directed by Lindsy O’Shea, who holds a Masters of Arts in Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Performance from Saint Mary’s University. She has been involved with choral music — as a singer or director — for more than 15 years. O’Shea previously taught choral and general music in the Rochester and Faribault Public Schools. She is currently adjunct faculty with SMU, where she directs the women’s choir and teaches private voice lessons. She also sings with the La Crosse Chamber Chorale.
“After 36 years of offering quality dance education and performance opportunities to Winona area youth, we are thrilled to be moving forward with our music curriculum through the WAYS program,” said Christine Martin, MCA managing director. “Integrating various performing arts genres has always been a goal for MCA. Now with our summer theatre camps, year-long dance programming, and the Winona Area Youth Singers, we are excited about the full spectrum of the performing arts at MCA.”
Registration for WAYS will be accepted at the MCA registration open house, Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St. WAYS will meet weekly on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. throughout the MCA first semester (Sept. 14 – Dec. 7). Placement auditions will be held on the first Monday session on Sept. 14.
For more information about WAYS or MCA’s other performing arts programming, visit: www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, or call (507) 453-5500.
