Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is affiliate program of Saint Mary's University of MN offering intermediate and advanced dancers aged 9-22 the opportunity to spend 2- 3 weeks dancing in the beautiful river town of Winona, MN. Find out more!
The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is a non-profit 501(c) 3 full service arts conservatory offering classes, camps, workshops, private lessons and performance opportunities in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. MCA was founded as a Ballet School in 1973 and offers programs for ages 18 mo.- adults. MCA is also the home of the pre-professional dance company, the Dance Repertory Company.
The acclaimed boarding summer dance intensive (SDI) that started in 2002. MCA's SDI provides a nurturing and intimate atmosphere where dancer's technique will soar to new heights while dancing 7-9 hours a day. This Midwest camp is the only ballet based boarding camp in Minnesota, that also exposes dancers to other dance generes including jazz, musical theatre, modern, hip hop and ethnic dancing.
MCA is housed inside the Valencia Arts Center (VAC) on the former St. Theresa College Campus. The facilities include: Three state-of-the-art dance studios, The Academy Black Box Theatre, Recital Hall, Visual Arts Room, lockers, four music practice rooms, costume shop, offices and public lounge equipped with Wi-Fi. As an affiliate program of Saint Mary's University (SMUMN), MCA is also lucky enough to hold performances in The beautiful Page Theatre and Figulio Recital Hall on the SMUMN Campus. Boarding students during the Summer Dance Intensive reside across the courtyard from the VAC in the historic Alverna Center. The Alverna Center features 24-hour security, free Wi-Fi, catered meal service, and a solarium for group activities. Students are assigned one or two other roommates. All dorm rooms have private bathrooms and each floor has a community refrigerator, microwave, extra towels, sheets and more.
In 2017 MCA added a Junior Training Program for Dancers aged 9-18. This program does not require auditions, but it is highly recommended that dancers have at least three years of ballet experience.
MCA’s programs are designed to encourage artistic expression, develop heighted self-respect, discipline, and confidence. Students and alumni have studied at or performed with: American Ballet Theatre, Ananya Dance Theatre, Ballet Chicago, Butler University, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Colorado Ballet, Columbia College, Continental Ballet, Eastman School of Music- Rochester University, Joffery Ballet, Julliard, Milwaukee Ballet School, Minnesota Ballet School, Minnesota Dance Theatre’s The Dance Institute, Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Saint Olaf College, St. Paul City Ballet, Texas Christian University, The Laban institute, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Missouri Kansas City, and Wichita State University among others.
MCA is a proud member of the National Guild for Community Arts Schools, National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), National Dance Education Organization, River Arts Alliance and affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
.jpg)
