Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts / Classes & Programs
Early Childhood ProgramsAges 6 and under
MCA is the best place to give your child a great start in the arts.
Because our instructors are so in-tune with the developmental stages and needs of children of this age your child will leave each class with a bounce in their step and eagerly return each week. MCA instructors know just how to strike just the right chord between creating fun, playful learning, and building a solid foundation in the arts. Children as young as 18 months old may start exploring the magical world of dance along with a special grown-up in their life in our “My Grown-up & Me” class.
See the handy chart below to help you decide which class is right for your child or click on the division below to explore offerings that are specifically designed for students ages 6 and under.
Art | Dance | Music | Theatre | Family Programs
Mindful Moves and Artful Journaling Camp
Kids will love this camp that infuses creative journaling, movement, yoga, and mindfulness. Campers will explore their senses as they create, listen to music, build their sensory awareness, while they enjoy the sunshine during this outdoor program. Parents will also breathe a little easier knowing that their kids are learning new tricks to regulate their emotions, build positive self-image and ways to explore with new art materials. Campers will be required to follow MCA’s COVID Code of Conduct.
Day/ Dates: Monday-Friday, Aug. 2-6
Time: 9am-12pm
Ages: 6-12 years (separated in groups)
Instructors: Megan Peterson & Brianna Haupt
Location: Outside Valencia Arts Center (moved inside if inclement weather)
Fee: $109 (early bird), $129 (after May 1, 2021)*
* Campers will need to bring a towel or yoga mat, water bottle, and snack daily.
Everything Art Kit
This inclusive kit has everything you need to get started creating on your own. If you want a want to dive a little deeper you can access previously recorded MCA art lessons to learn about blending and creating with oil pastels, perspective drawing, colored pencil techniques, doodling word art and more. This kit is perfect for all ages, but is a perfect addition to a homeschooling curriculum.
What's included (colors or brands may vary): 24 oil pastels, 12 colored pencils, masking tape, washi tape, pencil sharpener, ebony pencil, tortillion (blending stub), eraser, black fineliner pen, 2 gel pens, 12 piece watercolor pan, paint brush, 10 pieces of paper of different textured and colored paper (including a blank postcard and bookmarks), tip sheets and link for access to pre-recorded MCA classes
Instructors: access to recordings of previously recorded MCA Art Classes
Fees: $29 (at-home art kit with pick-up or delivery in Winona or for an additional $12per order, kits can be mailed anywhere in the US)
Mystery Art Kit
Sick of hearing “I’m Bored”? We have just the cure… our MCA Mystery Art Kits will inspire and provide hours of unplugged entertainment. No two kits are the same and they are designed with the student’s age in mind. Order yours today and let the adventure begin! Each unique kit will contain:
- One set of coloring supplies such as oil pastels, colored pencils, paint, watercolor pencils, crayons or markers
- One binding material such as elmer’s glue, mod podge, glue stick, or masking tape
- A variety of surfaces to create on such as a postcard, book mark, artist paper, exclusive coloring pages created by MCA staff, and or construction paper.
- An art challenge guide created by MCA art faculty to help spark the artist within
- Other surprise items such as model magic, stickers, DIY masks, or props
- Links to previously recorded MCA visual art classes (if you have purchased a kit, here is the link to the password protected special access site.)
- Invitation to share photos of your creations to be featured on MCA’s social media
Dates: Available Aug. 1- Dec. 15 (self-paced)
Instructors: Self-paced booklet with 8 creative challenges created by Brianna Haupt and access to recordings of previously recorded MCA Art Classes.
Fees: In-person $24 (at-home art kit with pick-up or delivery in Winona or for an additional $12 kits can be mailed anywhere in the US)
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. Many instruments are also being offered online during the COVID-19 Outbreak.
- 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.
Dance Adventures
Do you have a little one who loves to twist and spin and dance around the room? If so, they will love this sampler class, which is a blend of creative movement, ballet technique and games. Students will love expressing themselves through movement, gaining knowledge of different dance forms, and benefiting from moving in space with others.
Students joining in-person will need to familiarize themselves with MCA's COVID Code of Conduct.
Day/Dates: Mondays, May 17-June 14 (no class 5/31)
Time: 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Age: 4-6 years (by May 1)
Location: Outside Valencia Arts Center
Fee: $32 (includes dancer prop kit)
Instructor: Rachael Ryan
Dance Me a Story
Are you ready to step on stage? Then you will love this camp. During this one week experience you will work with classmates to tell a story using ballet, creative movement, and theatre. Participants will even have the opportunity to craft their own costumes and design scenery in preparations for an informal outdoor performance on the last day of camp for friends and family. Campers (and friends and family on the last day) will be required to follow MCA’s COVID Code of Conduct.
Day/ Dates: Monday-Friday, June 21-25
Time: 1-4pm
Ages: 6-9
Location: Outside Valencia Arts Center (moved inside if inclement weather)
Instructors: Rachael Ryan & Caitilin McCoy
Fee: $109 (early bird) $129 (after May 1, 2021)*
* Campers will need to bring a towel or sit-upon, water bottle, and snack daily.
Tap Camp
Join us for an exciting week of rhythm! TAP CAMP will include classes in tap technique, repertory, improvisation, body percussion, music theory, and concepts for the tap dancer, tap history, and tap in films. TAP CAMP will hold new challenges for beginning, intermediate, and advanced tappers. An informal demonstration for family and friends will be held on Friday. Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, come on dancers, it's TAP CAMP time! Campers (and friends and family on the last day) will be required to follow MCA's COVID Code of Conduct.
Dates: August 9-13, 2021 M-F
Time & Ages: Tap for Kids and Tap I: 10-Noon p.m. (ages 6+, no experience- two years experience)
Tap II-V: 9-12 p.m. (Intermediate & advanced Tap Dancers ages 11+ or MCA Tap levels II-V. Tappers will participate in a placement class on day one.)
Fee: Tap for Kids and Tap I: $85 (Early Bird Special), $99 (after May 1)
Tap II-V: $135 (Early Bird Special) $149 (after May 1)
*Dancers should bring a water bottle and snack each day.
**Please don't let the lack of tap shoes be a barrier, we have a tap shoes that can be borrowed in most sizes, just contact our office at mca@smumn.edu.
Dance Me a Story
Are you ready to step on stage? Then you will love this camp. During this one week experience you will work with classmates to tell a story using ballet, creative movement, and theatre. Participants will even have the opportunity to craft their own costumes and design scenery in preparations for an informal outdoor performance on the last day of camp for friends and family. Campers (and friends and family on the last day) will be required to follow MCA’s COVID Code of Conduct.
Day/ Dates: Monday-Friday, June 21-25
Time: 1-4pm
Ages: 6-9
Location: Outside Valencia Arts Center (moved inside if inclement weather)
Instructors: Rachael Ryan & Caitilin McCoy
Fee: $109 (early bird) $129 (after May 1, 2021)*
* Campers will need to bring a towel or sit-upon, water bottle, and snack daily.
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 4 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.
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
HOURS
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, our office hours are limited to the following but subject to change:
Mondays: 4:15-7:15 pm
Tuesdays: 4:00-6:30 pm
Wednesdays: 4:15-6:45 pm
Thursdays: 4:15-6:45 pm
Fridays: 4:15-6:45 pm
Saturdays: 9:30am- 1:15 pm
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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