Registration for TAMIU’s Young Arts Program Sept. 1

As summer comes to an end and with the new school year just around the corner, registration begins for the Texas A&M International University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ (CFPA) Young Arts Programs. Class offerings for the 2011-2012 school year include Ballet Folklorico, Dance, Laredo Youth Choir, Piano and Voice.

All classes meet weekly throughout the entire year with performance opportunities occurring at the end of each session. All classes are held at the TAMIU CFPA Building. Details for online payment will be available on registration day.

Registration for all classes is Thursday, Sept. 1 from 4 – 7 p.m. in the following locations:

Ballet Folklorico and Dance: TAMIU CFPA, room 122

Choir: TAMIU CFPA, room 210

Piano and Voice: TAMIU CFPA, room 233D

Ballet Folklorico Juvenil classes for ages 5 – 10 will begin Monday, Sept. 5 and will continue through Dec. 15. A Christmas program will be held on Dec. 9. All students must wear shoes with a heel. Boys may wear casual clothing. Girls may wear casual clothing; however a black leotard and white tights are preferred. A solid color Mexican Ballet Folklorico practice skirt is also required for the girls. Any student wishing to participate in public performances will be required to purchase their own costume. The Ballet Folklorico Juvenil class will run from 5 – 6 p.m., Fridays for ages 5 – 10. Cost is $45 a month or $170 a semester.

Dance classes will begin Monday, Sept 5 and continue through Dec. 15, with a Christmas Program on Dec. 9. Combination classes include ballet, tap, flamenco for children age 2-10 and ballet, flamenco (beginner and intermediate/advanced), hip-hop, jazz, pointe and yoga for teens and adults.

Class schedule for Dance combination classes in Ballet, Tap and Flamenco for ages 2 – 12 is as follows:

Monday from 4 – 5:30 p.m., ages 8 -10.
Tuesday from 4 – 5:30 p.m., ages 6-8.
Wednesday from 4 – 5:30 p.m., ages 2-4
Thursday from 4 – 5:30 p.m., ages 4-6.

Teen/Adult Technique class schedule is as follows:

Monday: Ballet from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Pointe from 6:30 -7:30 p.m.
Tuesday: Flamenco (Beginner) from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and Flamenco (Intermediate/Advanced) from 6:30 –
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Yoga and Belly Dance from 7 – 8 p.m.
Thursday: Jazz from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and Hip-Hop from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuition schedule ranges per class per week, depending on the number of classes. For example: one class per week, $40 a month
eight classes per week, $110 a month.

Laredo Youth Choir is open to children ages 6-13 who enjoy singing. Auditions and registration will be held Thursday, Sept. 1 from 4 – 6 p.m. with a Parent Meeting following at 6:30 p.m. Rehearsals begin Saturday, Sept. 3 and will continue through Dec. 10, Saturdays from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Cost is $45 a month or $170 for semester. Information on uniform purchase will be provided during the parent meeting.

Piano classes begin Monday, Sept. 5 and continue through Dec. 15.Classes will be held Monday from 4 – 5 p.m. for ages 6 – 8 and 5 – 6 p.m., for ages 8-10 and Wednesday from 4 – 5 p.m. for ages 11 – 15.Cost is $45 a month or $170 for semester. Private lessons are also available.

Voice classes begin Monday, Sept. 5 will continue through Dec. 15. Individual voice lessons for students ages 13 – adult will be offered by audition only on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons. Weekly 30-minute lessons for ages 13 – 15 are $120 per month. Weekly 1-hour lessons for ages 13 – adult are $240 per month.

For more information, please contact Bede Leyendecker, chair, Department of Fine and Performing Arts and assistant professor, Dance, at 326.2649 or by e-mail at bleyendecker@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu