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The Preparatory Division classes for ages 7–19 are suitable for students who have talents they wish to develop through sequential study to prepare for college-level training and/or a career in the arts. Students are required to audition before a panel of arts advisors for placement in our structured curriculum.

Enrollment for Winter/Spring begins December 7, 2009
Classes begin January 19, 2010

QUESTIONS?
Call the Education Registrars: Phone: (727) 712-2706 Fax: (727) 791-7449

PREP GUILD INFO. Click here!

Students are expected to attend class each week. Fellow students’ development is affected when a classmate is absent because the majority of the work done in class is ensemble in nature. School conflicts for concerts, performances, etc. may be excused when advance written notice is given. Illness may be excused with advance notice by phone or email. In case of a family emergency, a call within 24 hours of the absence is requested. Should a student miss multiple classes for unacceptable reasons, the status of the student will change to class participation only and the student will not take part in the final performance or presentation.

The Art of Music, Drama and Dance. A “Triple Threat” is a musical theater performer equally skilled in voice, dance and drama. Be a Triple Threat!!

Click here for Fall 2009/Winter 2010 Vocal class offerings and descriptions.

Drama is about a performer’s ability to risk, imitate, act, react, observe, analyze and interpret, as well as communicate character and action through his or her voice and/or body. The Drama Track focuses on developing these skills and the performer’s ability to engage the audience in a “moment of truth.” The Drama/Movement Track includes four level blocks that build the essential skills and tools needed for the actor to succeed in performance. Understanding of the creative arts used in theater production is also broadened.  Students will be placed in a level block based on age and level of proficiency in movement, voice control, character development and script knowledge.

Click here for Fall 2009/Winter 2010 Drama Track class offerings and descriptions.

Dance

With a strong emphasis on technique, the Dance Track provides a course of study that prepares the dancer for a future career or collegiate study.  Jazz and Tap technique classes are the foundation for the Tap Ensemble. Tap repertoire will include cutting edge choreography in everything from classical jazz to musical theater, hip-hop and funk.

Students will be placed in our multi-level jazz program based on their knowledge of music theory, instrument proficiency and jazz improvisation. The Jazz Track will include participation in a musicianship/improvisation course (Jazz Rudiments, Basic Improvisation or Advanced Improvisation), placement in either the Lab Band or The Ruth Eckerd Hall/Clearwater Jazz Holiday Band, and jazz combo jam sessions. These groups will perform an eclectic mix of jazz repertoire from the works of Ellington to the present, with performance opportunities on the Ruth Eckerd Hall Main Stage and in the Clearwater Jazz Holiday. The Jazz Track is sponsored in part by Clearwater Jazz Holiday.

Click here for Fall 2009/Winter 2010 Jazz Track class offerings and descriptions.

Click here for more information on The Hoffman Institute's resident instrumental classical program, Pinellas Youth Symphony.

With a strong emphasis on technique, the Dance Track provides a course of study that prepares the dancer for a future career or collegiate study.  Jazz and tap technique classes are the foundation for the Tap Ensemble.  Tap repertoire will include cutting-edge choreography in everything from classical jazz to musical theater, hip-hop and funk.

Beginner/Advanced Beginner Tap Technique
Ages: 7–11, Tuesdays, 6:15–7:15 pm
Tuition: $150.00
Instructor: Beth Caprio
For the beginner/advanced beginner studying the basic fundamentals of tap technique. All styles of tap are taught, from traditional rhythm tap to a broad range of tap such as Broadway theater, Fred Astaire and rhythmic styles of today. Tap shoes required.

 Beginner/Advanced Beginner Jazz Technique
Ages: 7–11, Tuesdays, 5:15–6:15 pm
Tuition: $150.00
Instructor: Amy Phillips
Children are taught the fundamentals and language of jazz in an atmosphere of encouragement, discipline and warmth. Emphasis is on correct placement and development of rhythm and isolation, which allow more freedom of expression and movement.

Intermediate Theater Rhythm Tap
Ages: 11–18, Tuesdays, 5:15–6:15 pm
Tuition: $150.00
Instructor: Beth Caprio
For the intermediate tap dancer who has mastered basic tap fundamentals such as shuffles, time steps, Irishes, Maxi Fords and cramp rolls. Students develop a personal style and musicality by creating their own rhythms and sounds. Intermediate rhythmic tap choreography is taught and dancers explore improvisation. This class enables dancers to excel in tap dance. Tap shoes required.

Advanced Tap Technique
Prerequisite: tap and jazz experience
Ages: 12–18, Tuesdays, 8:15–9:15 pm
Tuition: $150.00
Instructor: Beth Caprio
Building on a strong foundation in tap and jazz, this advanced class is part of the required curriculum for the Rhythm and Sole Tap Ensemble.  Enrollment is by audition only. Tap shoes required.

Intermediate Jazz Technique
Ages: 11–18, Tuesdays, 6:15–7:15 pm
Tuition: $150.00
Instructor: Meagan Barrows
Technique is the foundation for all dance movement. A strong technical foundation in jazz enables a dancer to focus on the stylistic and performance aspects of dance.

Advanced Jazz Technique and Conditioning
Prerequisite: jazz and ballet experience
Ages: 12–18, Tuesdays, 7:15–8:15 pm
Tuition: $150.00
Instructor: Meagan Barrows
A background in ballet technique supports a jazz dancer’s strong and sharp movements. This advanced technique class emphasizes the concept of isolation technique, a feature common to all the different and personal characteristics of jazz dance. The essential skills of focus, projection, interpretation and style, linked to the ability to absorb and memorize choreography, are also developed.

Hoffman Institute Rhythm & Sole Tap Ensemble
Ages: 12–18, Tuesdays, 7:15–8:15 pm Advanced Jazz
8:15–9:15 pm Advanced Tap
Thursdays, 6:30–8:30 pm Ensemble
Tuition: $300.00
Director: Beth Caprio
Under the direction of Beth Caprio, the Hoffman Institute’s own resident tap ensemble meets twice a week to study and to rehearse for performance opportunities. Past appearances by the ensemble have included Walt Disney World, ABC News tailgate party, the Hoffman Institute’s Spring Concert on the Main Stage and many others.  The youth tap repertoire includes cutting-edge choreography in everything from classical jazz to musical theater, hip-hop and funk. Through education, performing, presenting tap events, collaborating with other artists, and by investing in talented youth, this Ensemble strives to promote, expand and preserve the American art form of tap dance. Enrollment is by audition only.

Click here for enrollment procedures.

The Drama Track includes four levels that build the essential skills and tools needed for the actor to succeed in performance and to prepare for further study.

Level I: Drama
Ages: 7–9, Saturdays, 11:30 am–1:30 pm
Tuition: $175.00, script fee: $25.99, including tax
Instructor: Barry Hamilton
Level I focus is on developing the skill sets, theater vocabulary, and knowledge a young theater performer needs to sustain a performance, risk as a performer, develop in an ensemble art form, engage an audience, and grow as an artist through creative play, mime, pantomime, reading, and acting out familiar stories and characters. As the class and individual students progress, work begins on developing the actors’ physical abilities, character connection, emotional comprehension, and listening and focusing skills. Course work will be showcased at the end of each semester.

Level II: Drama
Ages: 10–12, Saturdays, 11:30 am–1:30 pm
Tuition: $175.00, script fee: $25.99, including tax
Instructor: Margaret Branscombe
Level II continues the refinement of skills covered in Level I while beginning the development of the student’s primary resources (the actor’s tool kit): the body, the mind, the voice and the imagination. Students explore the role that each of these tools plays in character creation, connection to setting, and listening and focusing skills. Further expansion of work in a collaborative ensemble will be linked with monologue reading and writing, and scene work. Course work will be showcased at the end of the semester.

The Hoffman Players     
Comprised of Levels III and IV: Drama  These two levels work separately on skill building, then come together for rehearsals to create a presentation in April.

Level III: Drama
Ages: 13–18, Saturdays, 9:00–10:00 am drama class
10:00–11:30 am performance building
Tuition: $200.00, script fee: $25.99, including tax
Instructor: Ian Beck
Level III further develops the actor’s physical skills through various techniques from the Alexander, Meyerhold, and commedia dell’arte mask and body work. These techniques will be applied to the vocal and physical work of the singer/actor to assist in the creation of stronger and more truthful moments. With the incorporation of music and storytelling, the application of these skills culminates in the writing of original performance pieces.

Level IV: Drama
Ages: 13–18, Saturdays, 9:00–10:00 am drama class
10:00–11:30 am performance building
Tuition: $200.00, script fee: $25.99, including tax
Instructor: TBA
Level IV continues to develop the actors’ vocal and physical skills of expression while encouraging students to delve more deeply into understanding the role of the actor in professional theater. Students focus on the world of the playwright, learning to create truthful moments from a published play. Class work focuses on the growth and skill development of each individual student through monologues and duets from both original written works and classic dramatic repertoire.

Click here for enrollment procedures.

Students are placed in a musicianship class of an appropriate level through an audition process which determines current knowledge of music literacy, sight-reading, ear training and vocal technique. The Vocal Track provides the necessary tools for vocal performance and/or further study.

The Ruth Eckerd Hall Children’s Choir
Levels I & II
Ages: 7–12, Saturdays, 9:00–9:45 am musicianship class
9:45–11:00 am performance building
Tuition: $187.50, includes musicianship class and Choir
Instructors: Kathy Bawel; Bill Cusick
The Ruth Eckerd Hall Children’s Choir prides itself both in entertaining its audiences and in achieving music literacy for all its members. Students are trained in sight-reading, vocal technique, and two- and three-part harmony. Performances reflect the diversity of choral repertoire, offering a variety of concerts both at Ruth Eckerd Hall and off site. The Children’s Choir will audition to be part of Disney Magic Music Days for a performance at Disney and a day in the park. Auditions are held by Disney. If selected, additional fees will be required. Parents will be also be required to provide transportation to Disney. Come audition to be a part of this fun and high-level performance choir!

Level I: The Language of Music
Ages: 7–9
Instructor: Bill Cusick
Just as every language has an alphabet, grammar and structural rules, so does the language of music. This course teaches musical notation of rhythm and melody. Students reach mastery levels in sight-reading in the key of C, rhythmic dictations, beginning ear training, and melodic notation, using a fun approach which reinforces long-term retention of concepts.

Level II: The Language of Music for Growing Singers
Ages: 10–12
Instructor: Kathy Bawel
This course builds on the theory foundation provided in The Language of Music. Students begin to explore key signatures beyond C, study ear training and rhythmic and melodic dictations in further depth, and develop vocal literacy and keyboard skills. Students are prepared for the Florida Vocal Association All-State auditions and college placement tests.

Ruth Eckerd Hall Teen Choir
Levels III, IV & V
Prerequisite: Must be a high school student or have approval of the Director of Education
Ages: 13–18, Saturdays, 11:30 am–12:30 pm musicianship class
12:30–3:00 pm performance building
Tuition: $275.00, includes musicianship class, Choir, and performance fees
Instructors: Rosemary Collins; Kathy Bawel; Bill Cusick
This high-level, professional training prepares students for life experiences in the arts by providing a foundation of skills in music literacy, vocal development and group dynamics. Students showcase their talents individually and collectively through a diverse repertoire of musical genres and styles. Students will have opportunities to perform both on and off the Ruth Eckerd Hall campus.

Level III: The Foundations of Music Theory
Instructor: Bill Cusick
This course focuses on building a solid foundation of music theory and understanding of the musical language through an in-depth study of music literacy, music vocabulary, ear training, sight-reading and keyboard skills. Students are prepared for the Florida Vocal Association All-State auditions and college placement tests.

Level IV: Music Theory
Instructor: Rosemary Collins
This theory class is designed to prepare students for the Florida Vocal Association All-State auditions and college placement tests. Students use knowledge from prior level music classes to build even stronger theory skills, including an understanding of chord progressions, transposition, two-part ear training, sight-reading and piano skills.

Level V: Advanced Music Theory
Instructor: Kathy Bawel
This college-prep course gives students the edge necessary to compete at a higher level for All-State placements, college auditions and scholarships. Students work toward mastery of college entrance proficiency levels in music theory and ear training, including notation, intervals, key signatures, major, minor, augmented and diminished chords, music vocabulary, and beginning analysis of form and chord structure.

Vocal Track Teen Troupe: A Vocal Track perk!
Preparatory Division vocal students from 14 to 18 years of age may apply to become part of this elite ensemble that performs at hospitals, senior centers, and events for charities, Ruth Eckerd Hall and the City of Clearwater. This experience can serve to broaden awareness of alternative career opportunities and the role of the arts in medicine, while developing a deeper understanding of the connection between students of the Hoffman Institute and the community.  Participants are eligible to use the Teen Troupe as their community service project for Bright Futures Scholarships. In partnership with Morton Plant Mease Hospitals, this ensemble brings an atmosphere of healing to members of our community through the joy of music with songs which are selected, rehearsed and choreographed by the students and are performed at hospitals as part of the Arts in Medicine program. The Troupe is limited to 12 members and four swings that are currently enrolled in the Vocal Track. Audition required. Application forms are available from the Education Registrars.

Click here for enrollment procedures.

Musical Theater: An American Art Form
Become a triple threat!!
These courses offer a unique opportunity to develop the “triple threat” – a performer equally skilled in voice, dance and drama. Musical theater classes bridge the Vocal, Drama and Dance Tracks. Ongoing training in these disciplines is essential to becoming a triple threat. This can be achieved through class instruction and/or private lessons.

Broadway Song Showcase
Ages: 14–18, Wednesdays, 4:45–6:15 pm
Tuition: $135.00, text fee: $67.57, including tax
Lead Instructor: Ross Kimura; Associate Instructor: Jared O’Roark
Vocal studies with Mr. Kimura incorporate a wide range of comic and dramatic offerings from a repertoire of classic and contemporary Broadway theater.  Instruction includes dramatic coaching to connect the text (lyrics) to the emotional needs of the performance.  Presentations combine collaborative coursework from this class and Broadway Dance For The Stage.

DOUBLE DEAL !
Take both Broadway Song Showcase and Broadway Dance for the Stage for $216 and save 20%!

Broadway Dance for the Stage
Ages: 14–18 years, Wednesdays, 3:00–4:30 pm
Tuition: $135.00
Lead Instructor: Amy Phillips; Associate Instructor: Jared O’Roark
Taught by a world-class dancer who has performed and instructed at every level of the dance arts, this class offers a fun and historic perspective on the classical styles of Broadway dance from Gower Champion to Jerome Robbins to Bob Fosse. These dance styles are expertly detailed, becoming the “text” as this course explores the language of contemporary stage choreography from many past and current Broadway musicals.  Presentations combine collaborative coursework from this class and Broadway Song Showcase.

Click here for enrollment procedures.

Pinellas Youth Symphony
PYS Requirements and Registration: Admission to all PYS ensembles
(except Beginning Strings and String Consort) is by audition.
Audition requirements and registration information are available
at www.pysmusic.org or by calling the PYS voicemail (727) 438-3149.
The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts Institute is proud to have the Pinellas Youth Symphony as a resident Preparatory Division program. Founded in 1958, the Symphony’s goal is to provide music students with an orchestral experience. In addition to student orchestras, the Pinellas Youth Symphony offers senior-level chamber ensembles coached by musicians from the area’s professional orchestras, as well as a thorough program of string instruction. PYS is the only organization offering this type of program in Pinellas County.
Students are strongly encouraged to participate in school music programs if available and are encouraged to seek private instruction when possible. Study and practice of assigned music outside of rehearsal ensures the advancement of the orchestra as a whole during rehearsal time.
Orchestra rehearsals and string classes are held on Sunday afternoons/early evenings. The rehearsal/concert season begins in September and ends in early May.
A reasonable tuition is charged to partially defray expenses. There are a limited number of need-based scholarships avail­able to students of all instrumentation.
The PYS strings program is funded in part by the Pinellas County Commission through the Cultural Development Grants Program of the Cultural Affairs Department. Funding for the Serenade Strings program is provided in part by employees of the St. Petersburg Times through the Employee Giving Program, matched from the St. Petersburg Times Fund, Inc. and the Pinellas County Cultural Council. All PYS events and programs in St. Petersburg are funded in part by the City of St. Petersburg.
FOR INFORMATION, VISIT:  pysmusic.org

Students are placed in our multi-level Jazz Track based on their knowledge of music theory, instrument proficiency, and jazz improvisation skills. The Jazz Track includes participation in a musicianship/improvisation class and group and combo performance. Performance opportunities include the Ruth Eckerd Hall Main Stage, the and the Lakeside Jazz Festival.* The Jazz Track is sponsored in part by the Clearwater Jazz Holiday.
* Participation fees for the Festival are not included in tuition.

Jazz: Level I
Ages: 12–19, Mondays, 5:30–6:30 pm theory and improvisation
6:30–8:00 pm ensemble
Tuition: $242.50, includes jazz class, performance group and combo
Text fee: $13.92, including tax
Lead Instructor: Frank Williams; Associate Instructor: Bob Barfield

The Ruth Eckerd Hall Lab Band
The Lab Band is designed to give the traditional band student an opportunity to learn jazz style. Rehearsing and performing big band charts of moderate difficulty, the Lab Band offers students an opportunity to apply the concepts from jazz musicianship classes to the performance of various forms of jazz including the blues, etc. Theory classes provide students with the foundations of music, including reading, writing and listening activities as well as mastery of elements essential for improvisation. Students in this group may audition for placement in the higher-level Ruth Eckerd Hall/Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Big Band when positions become available. 

Basic Improvisation
Building on the fundamentals of jazz literacy in which the student has demonstrated proficiency, he/she will add the elements of minor scales and arpeggios, major, minor and modal scales and arpeggios, basic chord construction including major, minor, diminished and augmented, and symbols and vocabulary specific to jazz music. In addition, participants continue development of aural skills in recognizing melodic and harmonic intervals. Students begin applying this knowledge to their instruments.

Jazz: Level II
Ages: 14–19, Mondays, 6:30–8:00 pm ensemble
8:00–9:00 pm improvisation and combo
Tuition: $262.50, includes jazz class, performance group and combo
Lead Instructor: Frank Williams; Associate Instructor: Bob Barfield

Ruth Eckerd Hall/Clearwater Jazz Holiday Youth Big Band
This ensemble is comprised of the most accomplished and talented students in the Jazz Track. Participants are challenged and rewarded by studying and performing literature of the highest quality. The history and development of jazz music is explored. Performances are on the Ruth Eckerd Hall Main Stage and at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday in Coachman Park.

Advanced Improvisation
Advanced Improvisation is a hands-on theory experience which provides students an opportunity to use the theoretical knowledge they have mastered and apply it to their instruments. Building on the concepts previously studied (described above), participants add collegiate-level material including modal scales, chord extensions and alterations. Students learn to transcribe and play a solo performed by a jazz recording artist.

Click here for enrollment procedures.

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