Instrumental Music:
Private instruction, performance classes, group lessons, improvisation workshops, and ensembles all help students become fluent on their instruments.
Emphasis is placed on sight-reading, efficient practice habits, critical listening, expression, memorization, developing performance skills, and building a solid technique.
Private Instruction:
Private instruction is offered on musical instruments and voice. Students enrolled in private instruction receive a one-on-one weekly 45 minute lesson. All students must have an appropriate instrument for regular practice. Instruments may be rented for a nominal fee from a local vendor. Piano students without a piano must make arrangements to practice at CCAC a minimum of two days a week, (practice studios are scheduled with the registrar). All music students eight years old and older are required to attend music theory and ear training classes. An appropriate instructional level is assigned by the instructor.
Private/Group Classes: Early Childhood Music, General Music, African Percussion, Trap Drums, Brass, Guitar, Piano, Group Piano, Strings, Woodwinds, Fruits of the Spirit Chorale, and Voice.
Early Childhood Music: (for children 24 months to 5 years old) Early Childhood Music gives children experiences and guidance in music that supports their natural musical development. Children use their singing voices and move rhythmically to a wide variety of live and recorded music. Parents or an adult must enroll and participate with enrolled child (children).
Voice: The voice faculty offers training for the younger singer (age 10 & up) and the professional in a weekly 45-minute private lesson. Musicianship, breath support, diction, development of poise and self assurance are the goals of this course.
Theater Arts:
Courses: Early Childhood Drama, Children’s Acting I and II, Teen/Adult Acting I and II, Acting for the Performing Artist, All That Drama-Drama Ensemble.
Courses are offered for children ages 5-12, teens and adults in acting. The overall goals of the curriculum are to develop basic acting techniques, dramatic interpretation, creative improvisation, scene and character study. Students who need coaching for auditions are advised to inform the instructor of dates and times of auditions as early as possible to allow for optimal preparation. All acting students are required to read and attend plays during the year. A minimum of two plays are produced each year. Theater Arts students are encouraged to participate in these productions as either cast or stage crew. The courses utilize the Stanislavski Morris and improvisation methods.
Each year, CCAC presents a fully staged theatrical work. Participation in these performances is by audition only. Audition notices are posted 10 weeks prior to a production. Shows include students representing all departments and artistic disciplines.
Visual Arts:
Classes offered in visual arts give students an awareness of the structure of visual communication and related sources of form in the environment. Studio experiences in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture introduce these art forms to children and adults. Students are required to maintain basic art supplies including a sketch pad, HB to 4H lead pencils, and a watercolor set and brushes.
Photography & Creative Design, (Jewelry & Silk Design) are also offered as special workshops.
Welcome to the World of Dance:
The Dance Program has a wide offering of developmentally appropriate classes designed to prepare students to make an artistic statement through movement. Dance demands physical, mental and spiritual endurance. Students are taught to prevent injury through warm-up exercises and acquire an understanding of anatomy. Any student who has had a physical injury must present a physician’s authorization before enrollment is accepted. Students who are committed to learning dance fundamentals and technique in preparation for a dance concentration are required to complete Ballet I & II after Early Childhood Movement. Students may combine the study of ballet with another dance form such as tap, modern, African, or jazz. Ballet, however, is an essential beginning.
Classes Include:
Early Childhood Movement I & II, Beginning Ballet, Ballet I, II, & III, Adult Ballet, Children’s Modern, Teen/Adult Modern, Children’s and Teen Jazz, Adult Jazz, African Dance, Beginning Tap, Tap I, II, III, Adult Tap, Acrobatics, Dance Fundamentals for Males, Hip Hop, and Dance Ensemble (by audition only).
Performing Ensembles:
Music Ensembles: Group playing provides the stimulus to refine individual skills, encourages cooperation and most importantly, offers the joy of creating music with others Ensemble playing is a major part of the curriculum, and every student is encouraged to participate in one of the school’s music groups.
Dance Ensemble:
A collective of intergenerational dancers, the ensemble performs primarily modern & jazz dance. The ensemble is widely known, and travels the city, and region for performances. Many CCAC dancers have auditioned and danced with professional companies.
Drama Ensemble – “All That Drama”
The ensemble is workshop-based and performance-focused. Students must enroll in an acting class in addition to the drama ensemble or have extensive training and performance experience.
Performance Classes:
All students are encouraged to attend monthly performance classes held in the Spring that are conducted by members of the faculty. In addition to performing for each other, students critique each performance on elements of style, and stage presence. Students should sign up for performance classes with their instructor or the Registrar by the Friday prior to the class. The schedule is posted in the area outside the Registrar’s office.
Recitals:
Annual student/faculty recital series are held Sundays April through June. This is an opportunity for students to acquire performance experience and for family members to enjoy the fruits of the student’s labor. Faculty work with students to select pieces to be performed. Students may participate in multiple recitals.
