Pursue your lifelong passion with our courses at the Center for Performing Arts.

Read below about our courses in dance, mass communication, music, public relations and journalism, and theater.

 

Dance

Learn and practice the fundamental principles of dance across various styles. Delve also into advanced ballet techniques and explore the intricacies of dance production.

Course Code
Course Title
Course Description
DAN-1010 Introduction to Dance Get an overview of dance as an art form, covering its history, styles, and cultural significance across genres.
DAN-1020 Introduction to African American Dance Examine African American dance styles' origins, evolution, and cultural significance, exploring their impact on American and global dance forms.
DAN-1021 Introduction to African American Dance Get introduced to traditional African dance techniques, exploring their cultural context and expressive significance.
DAN-1024 Jazz Dance I Learn the fundamentals of jazz dance, focusing on technique, style, and performance skills.
DAN-1050 Musical Concepts for Dance Explore the relationship between music and dance, focusing on rhythm, phrasing, and musicality.
DAN-1100 Beginning Modern Dance I Be introduced to fundamental modern dance techniques, emphasizing body alignment, movement quality, and expressive performance.
DAN-1120 Beginning Modern Dance II Build upon foundational modern dance techniques with complex movements, improvisational skills, and performance elements.
DAN-1200 Beginning Ballet I Learn fundamental ballet techniques, focusing on basic positions, movement, and terminology.
DAN-1220 Beginning Ballet II Enhance your technical ballet skills and learn more complex combinations.
DAN-1400 Dance Composition I Explores the principles of choreography, emphasizing creativity and the development of original dance pieces.
DAN-2021 African World Dance II Continue studying African dance forms, delving deeper into traditional techniques and cultural contexts.
DAN-2024 Jazz Dance II Advance your jazz dance skills with complex routines, focusing on performance quality and stylistic nuances.
DAN-2100 Intermediate Modern Dance I Enhance your modern dance techniques with intermediate-level movements and expressive performances.
DAN-2120 Intermediate Modern Dance II Further develop modern dance proficiency, emphasizing complex choreography and artistic expression.
DAN-2200 Intermediate Ballet I Focus on refining ballet techniques and introducing intermediate-level exercises and combinations.
DAN-2220 Intermediate Ballet II Continue learning ballet lessons, emphasizing technical precision and performance artistry.
DAN-2300 High Intermediate Ballet I Learn advanced ballet techniques, focusing on strength, flexibility, and complex choreography.
DAN-2320 High Intermediate Ballet II Build upon advanced ballet techniques, enhancing technical skills and artistic interpretation.
DAN-2330 High Intermediate Ballet III Advance your ballet proficiency with intricate movements and performance excellence.
DAN-2340 High Intermediate Ballet IV Learn high intermediate ballet training and prepare for advanced-level performance and choreography.
DAN-2400 Dance Composition II Focus on advanced choreographic techniques and how to create complex dance works.
DAN-2500 Dance Production Get practical experience in dance production shows, including staging, lighting, costuming, and performance.

 

 

Music

Start with learning the basic elements of music theory and progress into learning about the songwriting craft, how to perform musical instruments, the full spectrum of music production, and how to navigate the music business.

Course Code
Course Title
Course Description
MUS-1005 Fundamentals of Music Theory Review the basic elements of music theory, including notation, scales, and harmony.
MUS-1010 Music Appreciation Conduct an overview of music across various genres and periods.
MUS-1015 Guitar Class Learn beginner guitar skills, focusing on basic techniques, chord progressions, and reading music.
MUS-1030 Concert Choir Perform a diverse range of choral music in a concert choir setting.
MUS-1110 Jazz Ensemble Explore various jazz forms and styles through rehearsal and performance in the large instrumental ensemble format. 
MUS-1120 Survey of American Popular Music Examine the history and influence of American popular music from early roots to contemporary styles.
MUS-1130 Small Chamber Ensemble Explore the various forms and styles of music through rehearsal and performance in the small chamber ensemble format.
MUS-1145 Music Theory I Study the fundamentals of music theory, including harmony and voice leading.
MUS-1165 Music Theory II Continue exploring music theory with more advanced harmonic concepts.
MUS-1210 Class Piano  Learn basic piano techniques and repertoire in a group setting.
MUS-1230 Class Voice Learn the rudiments of singing techniques and the process of learning new pieces.
MUS-1250 Sight Singing and Ear Training Learn the ability to sight-sing melodies and accurately transcribe rhythms and pitches by ear.
MUS-1260 Songwriting I Develop your songwriting skills—learn many basics and techniques of modern popular music.
MUS-1500 Introduction to Music Technology Learn music technology fundamentals, including digital audio workstations, musical instrument digital interfaces (MIDI), and music production techniques.
MUS-1530 Pro Tools Fundamentals 101 & 110 Learn the process of recording and editing digital audio, MIDI data, plugin instruments, mixing, and exporting.
MUS-1550 Digital Music Production Techniques  Utilize MIDI and digital audio to create an original composition using Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software.
MUS-1560 Recording Technology I Learn the fundamentals of audio recording, including microphone techniques, signal flow, and how to use recording equipment.
MUS-1570 Recording Technology II Dive into advanced recording techniques, including microphone placement, console operations, and complex multitrack recording sessions.
MUS-1710 Applied Music - Level I Receive beginner-level instruction for voice, piano, guitar, and orchestral instruments.
MUS-1720 Musicianship I Learn sight-singing and dictation for diatonic melodies, focusing on 4-measure dictation, basic harmonic progressions, rhythm, pitch, and solfege in major and minor modes.
MUS-1740 Musicianship II This course builds on Musicianship I, advancing sight-singing and dictation with more complex diatonic melodies.
MUS-1810 Applied Music - Level II Receive intermediate-level instruction focusing on scales, sight-reading, and repertoire, culminating in a performance jury exam.
MUS-2000 Music Business Learn key aspects of the music industry, including topics like music rights, management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
MUS-2070 Applied Music - Level III Receive advanced-level instruction focusing on proficiency in scales, complex sight-reading, and performance pieces, coinciding with a jury exam.
MUS-2080 Applied Music - Level IV Prepare and perform repertoire from different periods, including the Common Practice Era (1600-present), adhering to appropriate artistic techniques for the respective periods.
MUS-2110 Musicianship III Focus on chromaticism, 8-measure phrases, increased syncopation, and harmonic dictation with modal mixture and inner voices in SATB settings.
MUS-2120 Musicianship IV Practice 8-measure dictations with chromaticism and syncopation, and learn harmonic dictation with modal mixture and chromatic chords.
MUS-2150 Music Theory III Receive individual instruction focusing on performance skill refinement, advanced repertoire, and preparing for professional-level evaluations.
MUS-2160 Music Theory IV Dive into advanced music theory focusing on chromatic harmony, complex forms, and analytical techniques.
MUS-2510 Digital Notation Get introduced to digital music notation software for creating, editing, and printing scores.
MUS-2520 Digital Audio Get introduced to the fundamentals of digital audio technology, including recording, editing, and production techniques.
MUS-2560 Recording Technology III Learn advanced recording skills that cover recording and mixing techniques. Students independently manage a recording project from start to finish, including mixing and mastering for distribution.
MUS-2570 Live Sound Reinforcement Learn the principles and techniques of live sound production.
MUS-2600 MIDI Sequencing Focus on the principles of MIDI sequencing, covering techniques for creating, editing, and arranging digital music compositions using sequencing software.
MUS-2930 Audio Engineering Internship Get hands-on industry experience in audio engineering and apply your knowledge in a professional setting.

 

 

Mass Communication

Immerse yourself in the world of digital storytelling—master broadcast news, social media content creation, television and film production, and gain hands-on experience through an internship to sharpen your skills.

Course Code
Course Title
Course Description
TRF-1310 Introduction to Mass Communication Explore the fundamentals of mass communication and examine media's role in society.
TRF-1330 Television Production I Learn foundational skills in television production, including camera operation, lighting, audio, and basic directing techniques.
TRF-1410 Introduction to Audio Production Learn essential audio production techniques, covering equipment setup, audio recording, editing, and mixing.
TRF-1510 Introduction to Emerging Media Explore new digital media technologies, focusing on how they shape communication, social interaction, and cultural trends.
TRF-2040 Introduction to Broadcast News Cover the fundamentals of broadcast journalism, focusing on news gathering, writing, editing, and presenting news stories for television and radio.
TRF-2240 Writing for Film and Video Learn the scriptwriting essentials for film and video, focusing on story development, formatting, and dialogue techniques for visual storytelling.
TRF-2330 Television Production II Learn advanced television production skills, focusing on multi-camera setups, live directing, and complex editing techniques for professional broadcast projects.
TRF-2340 Digital Video Editing Learn about digital video editing essentials, focusing on software techniques for cutting, organizing, and polishing video content for various media platforms.
TRF-2410 Advanced Audio Production Receive in-depth training in advanced audio production techniques, focusing on sound design, mixing, and audio post-production for professional media projects.
TRF-2510 Social Media Production Learn how to create and manage social media content for effective audience engagement and digital storytelling.
TRF-2910 TV Radio Film Internship I Get hands-on experience in the television, radio, or film industries and apply your skills in a professional setting.
TRF-2920 TV Radio Film Internship II Undergo intermediate practical experience at an entry-level position in television, radio, or film.
TRF-2930 TV Radio Film Internship III Enhance your professional skills and apply learned course content in a television, radio, or film setting.

 

 

Public Relations and Journalism

Build a strong public relations (PR) foundation—master the art of crafting compelling news stories, dive into critical theories behind effective human interaction, and learn essential skills to create strategic PR campaigns.

Course Code
Course Title
Course Description
PRJ-1210 Public Relations Techniques Learn essential public relations techniques to develop, implement, and evaluate effective communication strategies.
PRJ-2000 News Writing for Public Relations Learn how to craft impactful news stories for effective communication techniques.
PRJ-2210 Communication Theory Explore foundational communication theories and their roles in understanding human interaction.

 

 

Theater

Study the history of theater and explore areas of theatrical production and design. Examine the personnel, occupations, and duties required for stage production, along with script analysis, acting, and audio and media technologies.

Course Code
Course Title
Course Description
THE-1301 Design Methods Learn the fundamentals of design for theater productions.
THE-1401 Production Methods Explore key production techniques used in professional theater.
THE-1501 Acting I An introduction to the basics of acting and stage presence.
THE-2070 Voice and Diction Learn how accents, dialects, and precise delivery impact vocal performance and refinement.
THE-2301 Drafting Technology An introduction to the foundation of drafting techniques and applications used in performing arts and entertainment technology.
THE-2401 Stage Management A comprehensive overview of the stage management position's responsibilities and skills.
THE-2501 Acting II A continued review of acting with an emphasis on body and voice techniques, self-awareness, and creativity.
THE-2502 Movement for Actors An introduction to the essential movement techniques required of actors.
THE-2503 Stage Costumes and Makeup Dive into the foundations of stage costumes, stage makeup techniques, and their technical application.
THE-2504 Script Analysis Learn the foundations of script analysis and its relevance to modern theater performances.
THE-2505 Theatre History Examine the foundations of theatre history from its origins in classical antiquity to the present day.
THE-2601 Stage Craft and Event Fabrication Technology Explore the foundations of stagecraft and event fabrication technology.
THE-2602 Lighting and Projection Technology Understand the foundations of event lighting and projection, including installation, operation, and electrical safety principles.
THE-2603 Audio and Media Technology Learn the foundations of current and emerging audio and media tools, apparatus, and concepts.
THE-2801 Special Topics Discuss special topics in the field of performing arts and entertainment technology.
THE-2803 Crew Experience Explore the roles and functions of production operation personnel in supporting live events at performance venues.
THE-2805 Capstone Apply your skills in a collaborative performance through a cornerstone role in a performing arts or entertainment technology event.
THE-2890H Honors Colloquium in Theatre Examine special topics in the theater field. Designed for students in the Honors program.
THE-2901 Entertainment Technology Internship Work backstage in a performing arts production safely utilizing tools and apparatus.

 

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