cotterschools.org/mca

Email: mca@cotterschools.org
Call: 507-453-5500

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is a full service arts conservatory, we aim to inspire, educate and nurture students of all ages through dance classes, music lessons, visual art workshops, theatre programming and more in Winona, MN.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded as a ballet school in 1973 by Stefannié Valéncia Kierlin. In 2003 MCA became an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In 2023 MCA became an affiliate of Cotter Schools.

The Dance Division at MCA offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, Irish, hip hop, choreography, pointe, dance conditioning, and barre sculpt. We are also home to the pre-professional troupe, the Dance Repertory Company that produces two concerts a year including a biennial production of The Nutcracker, a two-week boarding Summer Dance Intensive that welcomes students from all over the country and a Boys Dance Program that was featured in Dance Teacher Magazine in Fall of 2013.

MCA’s Music Division provides private music lessons to students of all ages in a variety of instruments by nurturing and qualified instructors. Participation in 1 of the 3 Jazz Combos groups under the direction of the legendary Dave Gudmastad teaches young musicians in middle and high school how to improvise, learn basic jazz-related rhythm and how to perform in a small ensemble.

The developing Visual Art Division exposes students to visual art concepts and materials through classes and workshops. Galleria Valéncia, MCA’s gallery features art of local students and professional artists.

The youngest division, but also the fastest growing is our Theatre Division. In addition to musical theatre camps, theatre classes designed for homeschoolers and theatre workshops at Kid’s First Community Center, MCA will be bringing Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre’s “Pinocchio” a week-long theatre production experience to Winona in April of 2016.

MCA strives to make the arts accessible through scholarships, free performances and by working with local organizations and events such as; the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Local public and private schools, Winona Area Homeschoolers, Kids First, Great River Shakespeare, Earth Day Winona, Winona’s Winter Carnival, and Flippin’ for Books.

MCA is located at 1164 W. 10th (Howard) St. in Winona, inside the Valéncia Arts Center (VAC) across from the Cotter Schools Recreation Center.  The main entrance is located on Vila Street and parking is available on Vila Street and in the Cotter REC parking lot.  The VAC features 3 dance studios, 150 seat Academy Theatre, Galleria Valéncia, Recital Hall, 4 practice rooms, lobby and changing areas.

Come and experience the magic of the arts!