Winona Area Youth Singers’ inaugural concert is Nov. 23

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS) in “Musical Menagerie,” an inaugural concert, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Valéncia Arts Center.

WAYS members are students in grades three through six from the Winona area. The youth choir started in September of this year and has been rehearsing a variety of choral material. The program features music about animals, including German and American folk songs; a familiar hymn text; and modern compositions, both serious and humorous.

Lindsy O’Shea serves as the WAYS director. WAYS members include: Alexa Akre, Shea Alcamo, Philippa Armstrong, Andrew Behling, Taylor Cada, Libby Crigler, Kate Dulak, Korto Greene, Trinity Hougin, Justine Meinke and Lucy Wilfahrt. The WAYS assistant conductor is Jeff David, and Anthony Freeman serves as accompanist.

Reserved tickets are not necessary. Admission is $5 (cash or check only) at the door.

In addition to its inaugural concert, WAYS will be featured in the snow scene with MCA’s Dance Repertory Company in “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 4-7), will perform a spring concert second semester, and will participate in community outreach by performing at nursing homes and for other charitable events.

WAYS is the official youth choir of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. WAYS is dedicated to providing quality, artistic and educational programs for all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances.

For more information about WAYS or MCA’s other performing arts programming, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call Ext. 5501.