AA in Performance

The Associate of Arts in Performance program is musically oriented and develops a foundation of contemporary performance skills in the genres of voice, acting and dance. The overall program provides students with technical proficiency, live performance experiences, and core academic classes foundational to becoming well-rounded artists and individuals.

Upon completion of the Associate of Arts in Performance program the student will:

  • Demonstrate technical proficiency and a well-rounded skill set in vocal, acting and dance performance.
  • Demonstrate artistic integrity and authenticity in performance.
  • Develop confidence and professionalism while building a working repertoire.
  • Demonstrate an ability to apply concepts learned in one performance genre to other disciplines.
  • Demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply an analytical process to performance.
  • Demonstrate clarity of communication in written, verbal, and nonverbal communication methods.
  • Demonstrate an ability to approach situations with an understanding of cultural diversity and equality.

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Requirements

All courses outlined are required for the student to be awarded the Associate of Arts in Performance. In addition, students will participate in pre-production, rehearsals, performance observation and public performances in conjunction with the appearance calendar of The Young Americans.

The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts reserves the right to alter curriculum as needed.

Performance Core Courses • 28 Credits

All Courses Required

MU 101 – Chorale I or Chorale II – 2 credits
MU 111 – Semi-Private Voice – 1 credit
MU 112 – Private Voice Instruction A – 1 credit
MU 121 – Piano I or II – 1 credit
MU 128 – Vocal Techniques I – 1 credit
MU 129 – Vocal Techniques II – 1 credit
MU 130 – Music Theory I – 3 credits
MU 131 – Music Theory II – 3 credits
MU 290 – Performance Teaching Practicum – 2 credits
DAN 120 – Classical Ballet I or II – 1 credit
DAN 123 – Tap Dance – 1 credit
THF 100 – Intro to Acting – 1 credit
THF 110 – Scene & Character Development – 1 credit
THF 115 – Improvisation – 1 credit
THF 150 – Intro to Stagecraft – 1 credit
THF 210 – Musical Theatre – 2 credits
THF 270 – Stagecraft Crew – 2 credits
THF 290 – Performance Practicum – 2 credits
THF 299 – Advanced Performance – 1 credit

Breadth of Knowledge Courses • 30 Credits

All Courses Required

English Comprehension – 9 credits required
ENG 111 English Composition I – 3 credits
ENG 112 English Composition II – 3 credits
COM 170 Interpersonal Communications – 3 credits

Natural Science – 4 credits required
BIO 133 Human Biology with Lab – 4 credits

Quantitative Reasoning – 3 credits required
B 104 Business Math – 3 credits

Social Science – 6 credits required
PSY 161 Intro to Psychology – 3 credits
ED 150 Teaching Methods by Age and Development – 3 credits

Humanities – 4 credits required
MU 120 History of Music – 3 credits
THF 101 Survey of Theatre – 3 credits
LS 101 Life Skills for Student Success – 1 credit

Cultural Understanding – 3 credits required
SOC 171 Intro to Sociology – 3 credits

Physical Education – 1 credit required
DAN 121 Jazz Dance I – 1 credit
DAN 221 Jazz Dance II – 1 credit

Vocal Emphasis • 4 Credits (optional)

Vocal Emphasis – 4 credits
Performance Core + General Education, plus the following:
MU 112 Private Voice Instruction B – 1 credit
MU 102 Chorale II – 1 credit
MU 205 Vocal Techniques III – 1 credit
THF 230 Auditioning Techniques – 1 credit

Acting Emphasis • 4 Credits (optional)

Acting Emphasis – 4 credits
Performance Core + General Education, plus the following:
THF 102 Acting I – 3 credits
THF 230 Auditioning Techniques – 1 credit

Dance Emphasis • 4 Credits (optional)

Dance Emphasis – 4 units
Performance Core + General Education, plus the following:
DAN 220 Classical Ballet II or DAN 250 Classical Ballet III – 1 credit
DAN 221 Jazz Dance II or DAN 251 Jazz Dance III – 1 credit
DAN 260 Choreography – 1 credit
THF 230 Auditioning Techniques – 1 credit

Electives • 2 Credits

Only required if no emphasis is selected
Electives – 2 credits from any department.

REQUIREMENTS

The following placement score requirements are necessary to place into certain courses that are a part of the AA program:

  • ACT or SAT Scores
    • ACT minimums: Reading: 21, English 18
      • Minimum Reading and English scores of 13 are acceptable, but will require an additional class
    • SAT Minimums
      • For new SAT launched in 2016: Writing/Language: 25, Reading: 25
        • Minimum scores of Writing/Language: 19, Reading: 14 are acceptable, but will require an additional class
      • For old SAT (prior to May 2016): English/Writing: 430, Reading: 450
        • Minimum scores of English/Writing: 340, Reading: 250 are acceptable, but will require an additional class