Classes & Programs

Music

MCA’s music division offers classes, workshops, master classes, ensembles, private lesson instruction, informal and formal concerts, community outreach performances and summer camps.

Programs include:

Private lesson instruction in cello, flute, violin, piano, voice, clarinet and all brass instruments.
Jazz Combos- featuring 3 combos for students in grades 6-12.
Master Classes with local and visiting artists.
New Community Choir beginning in Fall 2019
Multi-arts Summer camps.
Teacher and parent workshops.

See our current catalog for more details.

Let MCA provide you and your child with fun and enriching music education!

Each year the MCA Music Division holds a variety of concerts open to the public. Performances include three private lesson concerts and Jazz Combos performances. Additionally, MCA students often have other performance opportunities that come up at community events, nursing homes and more. Please visit our Events Page for a full list of Music Division Concerts & other MCA events.

To inquire about instrumental private lessons, fill out a registration form that may be reached by clicking on the “inquire now” button or Register tab, including the questions about music background and interest and we will be in contact shortly. You may skip over the the credit card information and class enrollment sections.

Inquire Now!

Music Division Classes

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.

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.

Instructor and instrument

Beginner Class Piano for Adults: Keyboard Musicianship I & II

Have you always wanted to learn to play the piano? Here’s your chance to enjoy a low-stress introduction to the keyboard! This course is designed for students who have never taken piano lessons or have taken lessons a long time ago. The training in this class intends to create musical experiences that will enhance your keyboard playing skills and also your life. Group piano encourages us to support one another as we create music together. Textbooks will need to be purchased before class begins. The only prerequisites are that you wish to learn to play and want to have fun in our new, state-of-the-art piano lab! Level II is a continuation of Level I.

Date: Sept. 10- Oct. 29, 8 weeks

Day and Time: Keyboard Musicianship I: Tuesdays, 1-2 pm

Keyboard Musicianship II: Tuesdays, Noon-1 pm

Ages: 18-Adult

Fee: $152

Instructor: Lauren Mechell

Textbook needed: Keyboard Fundamentals, 7th edition by James Lyke, Denise Edwards, Geoffrey Haydon, Ronald Chioldi, and Lee Evans 2017. ISBN: 978-1-60904-503-6, published by Stripes

Valéncia Chorale

The Valéncia Chorale is a community mixed choir open to singers in the Winona area. Under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, the Valéncia Chorale explores music of a wide range of periods and genres, presenting two season concerts per year in the beautiful Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels or other area venues. Singers are expected to complete a placement audition, which may be done following registration. Prior choral experience and music reading ability are helpful, but not required. The ensemble rehearses once weekly on Thursdays, 7:15 to 8:45 inside the recital hall inside the Valéncia Arts Center (MCA's home).

Dates: Begins Sept. 12, 2019, Rehearsals

Rehearsal Days/Times: Thursdays, 7:15-8:45pm

Performance Day: Thursday, Nov. 21

Under the Direction of: Dr. Patrick O'Shea

Ages: Adults (and ages 14-17 with consent of Director)

Cost: $40 for fall participation

Learn More about the Chorale

Jazz Combos

Jazz combos help students learn the art of jazz in a small ensemble setting. The Jazz Combo session will provide basic instruction in jazz-related rhythm, tone, style, concept, listening skills, and improvisation. The ultimate goal of these ensembles is to give interested students the opportunity to study and perform jazz ensemble literature. The combos will pay at a variety community performances, TBA All musicians and instruments are welcome, but space is limited.

Day/Time: Tues. 6:30-7:30pm, Wed. 6:15-7:15pm, Wed. 7:15-8:15pm

Dates: Fall Semester: Sept. 3- Nov. 13

Age: Grades 6-12

Instructor: D. Gudmastad

Price: $109 Combo practice times are flexible and dependent on the needs of the members. Contact director with questions.

Click here to see MCA Jazz Combos in Action.

College Music Audition Workshop

High School Juniors and Seniors who are preparing for college instrumental or vocal auditions or those interested in learning more about the process won’t want to miss this opportunity. This workshop will cover topics including how to choose repertoire, audition requirements, and distance and on-site auditions. The final portion of the class will be mock-auditions which will allow a handful of students the opportunity
to perform an audition piece and receive feedback.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 12

Time: Tuesdays, 1-2 pm 11am-12:30 pm

Ages: High School Juniors & Seniors

Fee: $20 to perform, $5 to observe

Instructor: Lindsy O'Shea (an accompanist and additional MCA Faculty may join on performing participants musical interests).

2019 Summer Camp Overview

Junior Training Program for Dancers- June 17- 28, 9am-4pm, Monday- Friday, ages 9+ (with approx. 3 years dance experience/ MCA Ballet Level II) Q & A about our Junior Training Program.

NEW! Young Dancer Intensive– June 24-28, Monday-Friday, 1-4 pm, ages 6-9 years

17th Annual Boarding Summer Dance Intensive (SDI)- July 7-27, ages 11-22, acceptance by in-person or video audition required. Q & A about our SDI.

Tap Camp- July 29-Aug. 2, 1pm-5pm (Int./Adv. dancers), 3pm-5pm (beg-2 years tap experience), Monday- Friday, ages 6+ .

Winona Arts Camp 2019- August 5-9, Monday- Friday, 9am-3:30pm, 1st-8th grade

NEW! Island Style- August, 12-16 Monday- Friday, 9:30-11:30am, ages 3-5 years & K-1st grade

All of these camps will take place at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts home, The Valencia Arts Center. Please check back soon for more details on these camps, 2019 National Tap Dance Day Celebration workshops, stay strong classes, summer private lessons, spring dance classes, and Arts Camps at the YMCA by MCA staff.

Full camp descriptions

After Jazz Combo rehearsals and performances my son feels fabulous! He is on cloud 9 after an evening of making music with his peers.

Parent of Jazz Combo Student

The MCA combos help me step out of my comfort zone and be with people outside my school. And I got to play a new instrument. There is no pressure to be awesome, just do the best you can.

Hannah

Jazz Combo Student

While attending the Winona Arts Camp I learned that I wasn’t shy after all!

Lucy

8 Year-old Student

National Reflections Program at MCA

Since 1969, the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Reflections program has encouraged students across the nation to explore their artistic talents. The PTA Reflections program is designed to promote cultural arts in schools, encouraging students to create works of art in visual arts, photography, literature, music, dance, film and special artist categories. Every March since 2016 the walls of Galleria Valéncia have been adorned with all of the Minnesota state winners visual arts division of the Minnesota State PTA Reflections program. For the second consecutive year MCA is now a registered Northstar Minnesota PTA unit in good standing and any area youth in Preschool-Twelfth Grade is able to submit a work into the Reflections program now- Jan. 15, 2020 through MCA. The program is open to any area youth that has been an MCA student within the past year, as long as the student’s school does not have a PTA unit regardless if they attend a public, private, charter school or are home educated.

Valéncia Chorale Debut Concert

The Valéncia Chorale is a mixed community choir comprised of singers from the Winona area. Under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, the Valéncia Chorale explores music of a wide range of periods and genres. The very first concert will be in the beautiful Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels (1155 W. Wabasha, Winona, MN) on Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 7 pm.

MCA Jazz Performances

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) jazz combos are busy rehearsing for two upcoming community concerts that are free and open to the public. MCA is home to three jazz combos: the Duke, Dizzy, and Basie Combos. These combos are comprised of students ages 11-17 from the Winona area. The public is invited to hear these talented young musicians on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Academy Theatre in MN Conservatory for the Arts’ home, the Valencia Arts Center and on Sunday, November, 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Wellington’s Pub & Grill, 1429 W. Service Dr.

LOCATION

Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts
1164 West Howard (10th) Street
Winona, MN 55987

Phone: 507-453-5500
Fax: 507-453-5507

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Wednesday
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Thursday
10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Friday
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Building and Galleria open during programming

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.