Classes & Programs
Adult ProgramsWhether you’re exploring music for the first time, renewing your passion for dance, or continuing to develop your skills, you’ll find just what you’re looking for.
With a variety of programs, parent discounts, and college credit options Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts has something for everyone. Register Now for a Free Trial of any of our Adult Fitness Classes!
Let MCA help you stay fit and enrich your life through the arts. Want to try out a dance class for free? Join us for our annual Free-4-All event in Jan. or visit our event listings to see where we might be offering programs throughout the community. Also don’t forget to take advantage of our parent discounts and university student discounts.
Adult Fitness
Creative Aging Workshops
Adult Fitness & Dance Classes
Open Ballet
Experience the artistry of ballet while gaining flexibility, placement, strength, and fluidity in this ballet technique and conditioning class. All levels are welcome, no experience necessary.
Day/Dates: Mondays, Aug. 30-Nov. 1 (No Sept. 6)
Age: Ages 14 & up
Location: In-person at the Valencia Arts Center (online option may be available upon request)
Instructor: A. Honecker-Sherman
Fee: $90
Progressing Ballet Technique
This class utilizes exercise balls and bands to develop muscle memory for increasing strength, stability, flexibility and range of motion for all dance genres, but is specifically designed for the demands of ballet technique. A small class size ensures that each dancer has the benefit of personal corrections from the instructor.
Students joining in-person will need to familiarize themselves with MCA's COVID Code of Conduct.
Day/Dates: Mondays, Aug. 30-Nov. 1 (no class Sept. 6)
Time: 4:15-5:00 p.m.
Age: 12 years+
Instructor: T. Schmidt, Licensed and Certified PBT Instructor
Fee: $104
Adult Art Classes
Colored Pencil Techniques
Did you know that there are a multitude of special techniques that can be applied using colored pencils? Creating highlights, shading, blending, shapes, and more. Each week will explore a new topic, techniques and artist(s). Participants who are interested will be invited to exchange postcards with classmates featuring their artwork.
Suggested class supplies: set of colored pencils (24 colors or more is ideal), sketch book, pencil (an ebony pencil is ideal), eraser, black felt-tip or fine liner pen, & straight edge (such as a 12 in. ruler). Optional extra supplies: colorless bending pencil, blending stump (tortillon), & gel pens. For postcard mailing: you will need card stock, recycled materials or premade postcards, (3"x5" or 4"x6") and postcard stamps which are .36 per stamp.
Doodle Club
Join Miss. Lisa and other MCA community members virtually for a live and interactive art session. Each week students will have a chance to unwind from their day as they explore using shapes, lines and patterns to create new doodle designs. Come create and even relax the mind with us.
Students will just need a device enabled with Wi-Fi, white 8 1/2 x 11 typing paper, pencil, eraser and fine line felt tip black pen. Additionally, colored pencils or markers can be used to enhance creations, but are not required. Please make sure to enroll in this class at least 4 hours prior to class start time to ensure you get the Zoom link in time.
This class is free, however if you are find value in this program, our MCA Moments and want to help ensure MCA is able to continue to offer engaging programming during these challenging times and beyond, please consider making a donation if you are able.
Intergenerational Playful Postcards
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is excited to offer “Intergenerational Playful Postcards”- a class aimed to bring together older adults and Girl Scouts in the Winona Area. Registration for adults (ages 55+) is now open. Registration for Girl Scouts opens on May 1. Get creative and have a little fun sending and receiving colorful postcards! Color with glittery gel pens, collage with washi tape and more using a postcard to be sent to a local Girl Scout or adult as a canvas. Students will receive a kit of materials including everything needed- all you will be asked to do is explore new art techniques, then create and send a postcard a week.
Adults (55+): $12 (includes kit)
Girl Scouts: $5 (includes kit & fun patch)
Dates: May 30-June 29
- Adults will receive weekly emails with lesson and prompt.
- Girl Scouts will meet weekly on zoom from 9-9:30am on Saturdays June 5, 12, 19 and 26.
- A zoom social will be held for all participants on June 29 at 6:30pm to meet and share experiences.
Kits Include: 6 postcards, 4 stamps, 2 fineliner pens, 2 gel pens, 2 rolls of washi tape, a stencil, and instruction booklet.
Instructors: Brianna Haupt (adults), Catie Deysach (Girl Scouts)
Adult Music Programs
Private Lessons
MCA offers private lessons for all ages and abilities! Our experienced teaching artists prepare students for a lifetime enjoyment of music.
Private lessons are offered year-round. Instruction available in flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, violin, cello, guitar, bass. piano, percussion, and voice. Students will be expected to purchase method books the instructor feels best address the student’s needs. Students have the opportunity to perform during MCA’s annual fall, winter and summer concerts and other performance opportunities based upon instructor recommendations. Some instruments such as the violin, guitar and piano are better suited for young students, if you have a young child who is interested in learning an instrument please contact us at 507-453-5500 for more information or by filling out a registration form indicating an instrument of interest. Virtual and in-person lessons are available.
- 4, 30 minute lessons- $76
- 8, 30 minute lessons- $144
- 12, 30 minute lessons- $204
45 minute and 1 hour lessons may be arranged for more advanced students.
Lesson dates and times: Arranged between MCA instructor and student/family.
Music & Discounts
University Student Dance Connection
If you are currently enrolled in a university or college, present your student I.D. when registering and receive a 50% discount off your total MCA dance tuition. Not applicable for private music or dance lessons.
Adult Arts Wellness Discount
Parents who have a child/children enrolled at MCA may enjoy any of our adult course offerings at a reduced fee of $20. This is limited to one class per parent during the semester in which the student is also registered.
University Credit
A variety of upper level dance credits including Ballet III-VI, Jazz III/IV, Tap III/IV and Modern III/IV may be taken for University credit by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMUMN) students. Students in their junior and senior years of high school who participate in Post Secondary Education option may also take selected MCA classes for Saint Mary’s University credit. Learn more about the SMUMN Theatre & Dance Program.
Family Programs
With busy work and school schedules we know it can be hard to find time to do things as a family so in addition to producing a variety of music, theatre and dance performances for you and your family to enjoy we have four classes that will help families make memories, get creative and learn together. Below are descriptions of our Family Classes, but you may also want to check out our Events listing to find out about #MCAontheGo events & performances out in the community.
Percussive Music
Calling all adults ages 55 and older! Join MCA’s Kayla Jannsen in percussive music, using your hands and feet to feel the beat and exploring the world of drumming and percussion in a fun and relaxed way. Through hand drums and other percussive instruments, this class will give you a chance to experiment with music in a low-stress and new way. This course is designed for students who have never taken percussive instrument lessons or have taken lessons a long time ago. The training in this class intends to create musical experiences that will enhance your rhythm skills and also your life.
Fall Dance Schedule
The Fall 2021 MCA Dance Class schedule is finally here!!! As this is our first year to hold placement auditions, we have decided to wait to open registration for ALL dance classes until around Aug. 23 after placements have been communicated. Class descriptions and dates are being updated on the website.
Join us in the Meadow
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) invites the community to join us for a unique out door theatre experience. For three performances audiences young and old will squeal with delight as they travel to different locations on MCA’s property to hear a fantastic new twist on an old tale titled, “Thirty-Three Little Pigs”. Shows will be July 30 at 7pm and July 31 at 2pm and 7pm.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts
1164 West Howard (10th) Street
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: 507-453-5500
Fax: 507-453-5507
E-Mail: mca@smumn.edu
OFFICE HOURS
Fall 2021 Hours (Aug. 31-Nov. 5)
Monday- Thursday- 8am-6:30pm
Friday- 8am-3pm
Saturday- 8:45am-1pm
Closed Sept. 6, 2021
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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