Conservatory offers tuition-free youth choir

Kate Dulak and Alexa Akre participated last year in WAYS (the Winona Area Youth Singers) — a tuition-free youth choir for students in grades four through eight, offered by the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is beginning its 2009-2010 season of WAYS (Winona Area Youth Singers), a new youth choir for students in grades four through eight.

In response to the current economic climate, MCA is waiving WAYS tuition for any and all students who desire to participate this year. This tuition waiver is made possible by a grant from the Friends of the School of the Arts.

WAYS seeks to nurture the talent of students who have been introduced to choir/music in their elementary, middle, or junior high schools and who seek additional educational and performance opportunities in vocal music.

WAYS members will participate in two concerts per year, a winter concert on Dec. 6 and a spring concert yet to be announced. Additionally, WAYS members will also participate in a special mentorship program with SMU choirs, and will perform at nursing homes, malls, and charitable events, as well as go holiday caroling.

WAYS is directed by Lindsy O’Shea, music adjunct lecturer.

Registration for WAYS will be accepted at the MCA registration open house, Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St. WAYS will meet weekly on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. throughout the MCA first semester (Sept. 14 – Dec. 7). Placement auditions will be held on the first Monday session on Sept. 14.

For more information about WAYS or MCA’s other performing arts programming, visit: www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, or call Ext. 5500.