WINONA, Minn. — Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is offering two unique and intensive opportunities for young dancers this summer.
Junior Training Program for Dancers
The Junior Training Program for Dancers invites participants to experience two weeks of daily dance training. Each day, dancers will warm up in a ballet class; build foot and ankle strength in pre-pointe; dabble in different theory classes such as dance history, composition (choreography), and theatre; and then round out their experience with a “genre of the day” class, including exploration of jazz, modern, musical theatre, and hip hop. Each day will end with a rehearsal for a final showcase for friends and family. Back for the second year, special guest artist Natasha Posey, faculty member at Milwaukee Ballet, will be joining MCA instructors.
Dancers ages 9-18 are invited to attend. Auditions are not required, but it is recommended that dancers have at least three years of training. The program will run Monday through Friday, June 17-28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will conclude with a performance on Friday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m. The camp costs $375, which includes more than 60 hours of instruction and a camp T-shirt. Registration information can be found at mca.smumn.edu.
Young Dancer Intensive
New this year, MCA is also offering a one-week Young Dancer Intensive. Each day will start with ballet to build a strong dance foundation and then move into a “genre of the day” class, including exploration of jazz, modern, musical theatre, and hip hop. Each day will end with a creative class, such as costume design or acting, to ignite imagination and performance skills in campers. The young dancers will get to work with a variety of instructors including guest artist from Milwaukee, Natasha Posey.
Dancers ages 6-9 are invited to attend. No dance experience necessary to register. The camp will run Monday through Friday, June 24-28, from 1 to 4 p.m. The camp costs $119 and includes a camp T-shirt. Registration information can be found at mca.smumn.edu.
About MCA
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA), an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, is a nonprofit community arts school offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theater. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for students of all ages from birth through older adults at the Valéncia Arts Center. For more information about MCA or Galleria Valéncia visit mca.smumn.edu, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.
Photo caption: Enjoying the 2018 Junior Training Program for Dancers are, from left: (front) Abigail Ellenburg, Deja Foster, Hannah Reischl, Lilia Civettini, Ruthie Civettini; (back) Carmelle Meyer, Erin Walters, Marakarh Olcott, and Aza Theresa Williams-Carpenter.