Course Descriptions

Here’s a brief description of each course we offer throughout our programs.

MUS 101: MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS – (3 Units)
Students engage with the basic elements of music theory: staff notation, clefs, key signatures, scales, chords, time signatures, meter, and rhythm. Application of basic keyboard harmony and musicianship skills (ear-training, sight-singing) are included.
Pre-requisite to Music Theory I.

Required reading & supplies: Basics of Keyboard Theory, Level 5 by Julie Johnson. ISBN- 13: 9781891757051 ($10.95); pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), manuscript paper ($4.99)

MUS 102: MUSIC THEORY I – (3 Units)
Students apply the basic elements of music theory to counterpoint, 4-part composition, and analysis. Application of keyboard harmony and musicianship skills (ear-training, sight-singing) are included.
Pre-requisite: MUS 101 or placement evaluation

Required reading & supplies: Basics of Keyboard Theory, Level 8 by Julie Johnson. ISBN-13: 9781891757082 ($12.50); pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), manuscript paper ($4.99)

MUS 103: MUSIC THEORY II – (3 Units)
Students continue their music theory studies with a focus on the importance of comprehending musical notation and the advantages of sight-reading over memory retention and rote learning. Pre-requisite: MUS 102

Required reading & supplies: Pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), manuscript paper ($4.99)

MUS 111: SEMI-PRIVATE VOICE – (1 Unit)
Students study the process of vocal production and develop individual vocal techniques and stylistic choices through direct instruction and peer observation in a semi-private setting. Meets weekly in groups of a maximum of 5 students for instruction and a weekly peer performance setting.

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), 7 ½” x 9 ¾” Journal ($3.50), recording device (recommended)($19.99)

MUS 112: PRIVATE VOCAL INSTRUCTION – (1 Unit)
Students advance their mastery of vocal production and individual vocal techniques through personalized, individual instruction. Pre-requisite: MUS 111

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), 7 ½” x 9 ¾” Journal ($3.50), recording device ($19.99)

MUS 121: GROUP PIANO I – (1 Unit, .5 in the fall & .5 in the spring)
Students engage in a comprehensive introduction to keyboard musicianship and proficiency which includes learning: the fundamental skills of identifying notes, major and minor scales, playing chords, reading notated sheet music, and playing from lead sheets.

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Accelerated Piano Adventures: Lesson Book Level 2 by Faber Nancy and Randall. Publisher: Faber Piano Adventures (January 1, 1998) ISBN-10: 1616772107 ($9.99), Standard 5-line 8.5” x 11” music staff paper ($6.99)

MUS 131: CHORAL – (1 Unit)
Students participate in a mixed ensemble, developing choral musicianship and performance practices through rehearsal and performance of a comprehensive selection of musical styles.

MUS 141: VOCAL TECHNIQUES I – (1 Unit)
Students become self-sufficient singers through the development of skills such as vocal anatomy and health, microphone technique, improvisation, and song interpretation.

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Notebook ($3.79), Pencil ($1.39), recording device ($19.99)

MUS 142: VOCAL TECHNIQUES II – (1 Unit)
Students develop duet and ensemble vocal techniques, production, and performance practices, and are introduced to vocal pedagogy including the diagnosis and correction of vocal faults. Pre-requisite: MUS 141

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Notebook ($3.79), Pencil ($1.39), recording device ($19.99)

MUS 212: PRIVATE VOCAL INSTRUCTION – (1 Unit)
Students advance their mastery of vocal production and individual vocal techniques through personalized, individual instruction. Pre-requisite: MUS 112

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), 7 ½” x 9 ¾” Journal ($3.50), recording device ($19.99)

MUS 220: HISTORY OF MUSIC – (3 Units)
Students expand their musical intellect through an exploration of historical periods and related technical elements of music.

Required reading & supplies: The Enjoyment of Music (9th Edition, chronological version) by Joseph Machlis and Kristine Forney, ISBN-13: 9780393978780 ($9.50), Notebook ($3.79)

MUS 221: GROUP PIANO II – (1 Unit)
Students continue to practice the fundamentals of piano playing and study the application of music theory to the piano. Students strengthen their sight-reading ability by playing standard keyboard repertoire and continue to develop the skill of keyboard harmonization through the study of lead-sheet arranging and accompanying. Pre-requisite: Placement evaluation

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, The Big Book of Classical Music. ISBN-13: 9780634006814 ($17.99), Standard 5-line 8.5” x 11” music staff paper ($6.99)

MUS 231: MASTER CHORALE – (1 Unit)
Students participate in a mixed ensemble developing choral musicianship and performance practices through rehearsal and performance of a comprehensive selection of musical styles. Pre-requisite: MUS 131 or Placement evaluation

MUS 241: VOCAL TECHNIQUES III – (1 Unit)
Students continue building skills in vocal pedagogy, teaching new music, harmonizing, group and solo singing, and providing tools for teaching safe vocal techniques to students of all ages from elementary school through high school. Pre-requisite: MUS 142

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Notebook ($3.79), Pencil ($1.39), recording device ($19.99)

MUS 260: MUSIC PRODUCTION – (1 Unit)
Students are immersed in the processes of songwriting and audio recording. This includes building upon their existing compositional skills, including sense of form, melody, harmony, bass line development, rhythm, lyric considerations, and appropriate stylistic practices. Students also learn and apply the basic principles, aesthetics, and techniques required in the production of audio programs including digital recording, selection and use of microphones, tracking, addition of audio effects, and mixing. Pre-requisite: MUS 142; MUS 102; MUS 103 (or taken concurrently)

MUS 290: THE YOUNG AMERICANS PERFORMANCE PRACTICUM – (2-3 Units)
Students apply the performance skills they have developed to real-world situations as they participate as YA cast members. Students are assessed on the refinement of their performance techniques based on varying performance venues and audiences and learning how to produce a quality performance consistently throughout a run. Pre-Requisites – Completed Music Outreach Training Certificate Program

Required reading & supplies: Recording device ($19.99). It is highly recommended that students bring a laptop or tablet for access to online course content.

DAN 101: DANCE TECHNIQUE & CONDITIONING – (0.5 Units)
Students explore various fitness activities (dance, yoga, pilates and other exercises) that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle by improving cardio, core strength, flexibility, balance, and body awareness.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Form-fitting solid-colored clothes required such as tights, leotards, leggings, jazz/yoga pants, jazz/yoga shorts, gym shorts, bike shorts, fitted t-shirts, and fitted tanks. Ballet shoes highly suggested. Black or white socks also acceptable.

DAN 120: CLASSICAL BALLET I A/B – (1 Unit, Multi-term)
Students engage in the most traditional and disciplined form of dance at the beginner level with a focus on strength, conditioning, technique development, and vocabulary.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Form-fitting solid-colored clothes required such as tights, leotards, leggings, jazz/yoga pants, jazz/yoga shorts, gym shorts, bike shorts, fitted t-shirts, and fitted tanks. Ballet shoes highly suggested. Black or white socks also acceptable.

DAN 121: JAZZ DANCE I A/B – (1 Unit, Multi-term)
Students are introduced to the principles and skills on fundamentals of jazz dance, emphasizing and developing correct body alignment, coordination, strength, flexibility, and rhythm and movement awareness. Includes jazz dance vocabulary, simple jazz dance combinations, and a study of the history of various styles of jazz dance.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, nothing too baggy, leotard/tights not required. Jazz shoes or sneakers.

DAN 123: TAP DANCE I – (0.5 Units)
Students engage in the fundamentals of basic tap steps with a focus on technique and terminology, as well as an introduction to the history of this dance form.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, nothing too baggy, no jeans, flat black tap shoes.

DAN 220: CLASSICAL BALLET II A/B – (1 Unit, Multi-term)
Students continue building strength, conditioning, technique development, and vocabulary as they engage in the most traditional and disciplined form of dance at the intermediate/advanced levels. Pre-requisite: DAN 120 or instructor approval.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Solid-colored leotard, footed or footless tights, ballet shoes required.

DAN 221: JAZZ DANCE II A/B – (1 Unit, Multi-term)
Students continue increasing their coordination, strength, control, flexibility, stamina, musicality, and jazz dance vocabulary in more challenging intermediate/ advanced combinations. Pre-requisite: DAN 121 or instructor approval.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, nothing too baggy, leotard/tights not required. Jazz shoes or sneakers.

DAN 223: TAP DANCE II – (0.5 Units)
Students learn and refine basic technique while building intermediate/advanced tap step skills, including a sense of rhythm, musicality, and tap sounds. Students are also introduced to beginning-intermediate improvisational tools and take a deeper look into tap history. Pre-requisite: DAN 123 or instructor approval.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, nothing too baggy, no jeans, flat black tap shoes.

DAN 250: CLASSICAL BALLET III – (1 Unit)
Students add creativity and artistry repertoire as they continue building strength, conditioning, technique development, and vocabulary in the most traditional and disciplined form of dance at the advanced level. Pre-requisite: DAN 220 or instructor approval.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Solid-colored leotard, footed or footless tights, ballet shoes required.

DAN 251: JAZZ DANCE III – (1 Unit)
Students continue building increased coordination, strength, control, flexibility, stamina, musicality, transitions, direction changes, and jazz dance vocabulary in more challenging combinations at the advanced level. Students will also study the steps involved in making dance a career. Pre-requisite: DAN 221 or instructor approval.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, nothing too baggy, leotard/tights not required. Jazz shoes or sneakers.

DAN 260: DANCE COMPOSITION – (1 Unit)
Students explore movement, and analytically study the art of making dances. This dance-making focuses on physical discovery, musicality, and storytelling through the use of improvisation and the choreographic tools of body, action, time, space, and energy. Pre-requisite: Instructor approval

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Comfortable clothing that is easy to move in, nothing too baggy, leotard/tights not required. Jazz shoes or sneakers.

THE 101: IMPROV – (1 Unit)
Students engage in improvisation as a foundational performance tool and use improv to explore listening and reacting interpretation of movement, and critical thinking. Exercises include short- and long-form improvisation, improvised scenes, character exploration, and opportunities to discuss issues affecting their cohort in an open and collaborative environment.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79)

THE 105: ACTING I: INTRO TO ACTING – (1 Unit)
Students engage in Stanislavski-based technique and terminology, theatre exercises, improvisation, script and character analysis, and performance. Students rehearse and perform monologues and scenes from modern plays for analysis and evaluation. This class is the first part of a one-year series on basic acting techniques and discipline.

Required reading & supplies: Acting is Believing, 12th edition, by McGraw, Stilson and Clark, ISBN-13: 9781285465050 ($58), Notebook ($3.79)

THE 110: ACTING II: SCENE & CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT – (1 Unit)
Students apply the tools acquired in Acting I to the continued development of technique and artistry through scene work in modern American drama. We study plays in their entirety, paying attention to historical, political, and cultural contexts. Performance effort in this course focuses on scene analysis and the importance of making text-based choices to inform character development and interpretation. Students’ scene work further advances a sense of truthfulness, humanity, and relatability, as well as developing the body, voice, and spirit for performance. Pre-requisite: THE 105

Required reading & supplies: Acting is Believing, 12th edition, by McGraw, Stilson and Clark, ISBN-13: 9781285465050 ($58), The Last Night at Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry, ISBN-13: 9781559361408 ($14), Proof by David Auburn, ISBN-13: 9780571199976 ($7.93), and The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde, ISBN-13: 9780199535972 ($9.56), Notebook ($3.79)

THE 175: INTRO TO STAGECRAFT – (1 Unit)
Through classroom and on-set experience, students examine, demonstrate, and apply various aspects of production including stage management, lighting, sound, set development, and costume design.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), binder for handouts ($4.79)

THE 205: ACTING III: Advanced Acting – (3 Units)
Through continued development of rehearsal technique and artistry via studio performances of monologues and scene work, students modify their acting technique to “make the adjustment” to a variety of acting styles from modern American drama to Shakespeare, television (sitcom, single-camera comedy, television drama, and subgenres), and finally, film. Pre-requisite: THE 110

Required reading & supplies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (No Fear Shakespeare), ISBN-13: 9781586638481 ($5.06), Notebook ($3.79), 7 ½” x 9 ¾” Journal ($3.50)

THE 210: MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP – (1 Unit)
Students prepare, rehearse, and apply acting, vocal, and movement techniques to various styles of period and contemporary theatre musical theatre production vignettes. Pre-requisite: THE 110

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $20, Notebook ($3.79)

THE 220: SURVEY OF THEATRE – (3 Units)
Students expand their theater knowledge base through an exploration of theatre history, genres, production and organizational structure, terminology, acting, improvisation, directing, set, sound, lighting, costume design, and literature of the theatre. Students complete individual and group projects as a means to demonstrate their intellectual growth.

Required reading & supplies: The Theatre Experience (13th Edition) by Edwin Wilson, ISBN-13: 9780073514277 ($84.75), Notebook ($3.79)

THE 230: AUDITION TECHNIQUES – (1 Unit)
Students learn how best to present themselves in seeking a job as an artist. Includes repertoire development, audition etiquette, how to dress, attitude and posture, developing a portfolio and emphasizing a natural approach to meeting people and presenting the strongest and best attributes in each person. Pre-requisite: THE 110

Required reading & supplies: Pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), 7 ½” x 9 ¾” Journal ($3.50) or notebook ($3.79), recording device ($19.99), yellow highlighter ($1.99), clear tape ($1.79), stapler ($2.99), hair ties to keep hair out of your face ($2.76)

THE 275: THE YOUNG AMERICANS PRODUCTION PRACTICUM – (2-3 Units)
Students apply the skills learned in THE 175 and YA productions through the fulfillment of a crew position in a major production or touring company with The Young Americans. Pre-requisite: Completed Music Outreach Training Certificate Program

Required reading & supplies: Recording device ($19.99). It is highly recommended that students bring a laptop or tablet for access to online course content.

THE 290: THE YOUNG AMERICANS PERFORMING ARTS LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM – (2-3 Units)
Students apply the teaching, leadership, communications, and interpersonal skills they have developed to real-world situations as they participate as a YA cast member. Students are assessed on their preparation techniques and effectiveness in communicating with workshop students, as well as on their own reflective self-assessment of how their strengths and weaknesses impact the learning experience of the young students. Pre-requisite: Completed Music Outreach Training Certificate Program

Required reading & supplies: Recording device ($19.99). It is highly recommended that students bring a laptop or tablet for access to online course content.

THE 299: ADVANCED PERFORMANCE – (1 Unit)
In this capstone course, students collaborate to create, develop, and produce every aspect of a live-audience show composed of original works combining acting, vocal, and dance elements. Students are guided to explore their own sense of artistry within their individual primary performance mode(s), to work as a creative team to realize their collective vision, and to stretch beyond perceived limitations and obstacles to bring it to fruition. Pre-requisite: DAN 120 or 220, MUS 112 and THE 110

Required reading & supplies: Pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), 7 ½” x 9 ¾” Journal ($3.50) or notebook ($3.79)

BIO 133: HUMAN BIOLOGY with LAB – (4 Units)
Students engage in a lab science course that covers selected structures and functions with application to current health issues. The lab emphasis is the identification of both gross and microscopic anatomy.

Required reading & supplies: Human Biology (15th Edition) by Sylvia Mader, ISBN-13: 9781259689796 ($102.99), Notebook ($3.79)

COM 170: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION – (3 Units)
Students explore and develop their communication skills within the contexts of interpersonal relationships, small groups, and society as a whole. Writing, speaking, collaborative and independent learning, role playing, independent research, and written reports are among the communication modes and learning strategies applied within this course.

Required reading & supplies: Interpersonal Communications (15th Edition) by Joseph Devito, ISBN-13: 9781292261843 ($50.05), Notebook ($3.79)

EDU 150: CHILD & ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT IN LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS – (3 units)
Students engage in an exploration of child and adolescent growth and development and the application of this knowledge to working with children of differing ages, abilities, cultures, and interests in learning environments.

ENG 101: ENGLISH COMPOSITION I – (3 Units, Multi-term)
Students cultivate their individual voice as a writer with the intent to meet the demands of varying audiences and communication goals. Students develop critical thinking skills involving analysis and synthesis, and sharpen research skills through a variety of writing assignments with different rhetorical and disciplinary purposes.

Required reading & supplies: Notebook ($3.79), Pencil ($1.39), binder for handouts ($4.79), College-ruled composition paper ($3.58)

ENG 102: ENGLISH COMPOSITION II – (3 Units)
Students build upon writing skills developed in ENG 101, particularly emphasizing research techniques and the necessity of logical support, structure, style, and documentation. Pre-requisite: ENG 101

HUM 101: SUCCESS SKILLS FOR COLLEGE AND BEYOND – (1 Unit)
Students explore theories related to success and wellbeing as they build a portfolio of understandings, practical tools, activities, and resources to apply in coping with the academic, emotional, social, performance, and personal pressures of college life and beyond.

Required reading & supplies: Course Materials Fee – $5, Notebook ($3.79), 7 ½” x 9 ¾” Journal ($3.50)

MTH 101: MATH IN SOCIETY – (3 Units)
Students engage in quantitative reasoning and problem-solving activities involving the application of mathematics to real-world situations that impact their daily lives. Among the topics explored are graph theory & networks, voting theory & elections, financing & money management, and statistical data & critical thinking.

PSY 101: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY – (3 Units)
Students explore the scientific study of human thought, behavior, and emotion, including topics such as personality, learning, memory, intelligence, gender and sexuality, social interaction, group processes, motivation, emotion, and sociocultural factors in both current and historical perspective.

Required reading & supplies: Psychology (12th edition), Myers, D., and DeWall, N. (2018). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Launchpad Edition 12e. ISBN-13: 9781319067991 ($95.99 subscription), Notebook ($3.79)

SOC 101: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY – (3 Units)
Students explore diverse topics of sociological inquiry. Subject matter ranges from crime to education, religion to the state, divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture and its concomitant subcultures, and from social stability to radical upheavals in society. Unifying these diverse subject areas is sociology’s purpose, particularly toward understanding how human action and consciousness both shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures.

Required reading & supplies: The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 5th edition, by Ferris, K., and Stein, J., ISBN-13: 9780393251036 ($67.40), Notebook ($3.79)