MoCo Arts: helping kids regain confidence and a love of learning through the arts

MoCo Arts invites students of all ages and abilities to register for fall classes taught at its best-in-class downtown Keene performing arts facility. Providing family-centered arts education since 1991, MoCo Arts offers extensive learning opportunities in dance and theatre for children ages 18 months to 18-plus years, year-round multi-arts camps and select classes for adults. Students ages 3 to 12th grade are also given the opportunity to participate in a fully produced performance as part of a supportive, educational process where every student is encouraged, but never required to perform. At MoCo Arts, it is our mission to transform lives through movement and creative expression. We believe in the transformative power of the arts. We see it first-hand each day. That's why Tuition Assistance is available for all MoCo Arts programming, including school vacation and summer camps. MoCo believes that every child should experience the benefits of the arts, regardless of a family's ability to pay. The pandemic has been hard on everyone. Especially children. But they're regaining confidence, communication skills and a renewed sense of self through MoCo Arts' high quality, arts education opportunities. MoCo's Young Arts program offers age-appropriate instruction in theater and dance for little ones. Creative Dance introduces children as young as 18 months to the fundamentals of dance, while embracing their own creative way of moving. Parents who wish to participate with their child can sign up for MoCo's Toddler and Adult classes. Storytime Theatre is a unique musical theatre class for children ages 4 through grade 2. The class consists of learning and producing a short theatrical presentation featuring acting, singing, dancing, costumes and sets. Our fall class will present The North Pole Gingerbread Man and develop skills like listening, teamwork and awareness of self along the way. The popular dance program at MoCo Arts offers instruction for students of all abilities across many different genres including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and modern dance in our bright, open, well-ventilated studios. Students are placed in the class that best suits their own personal level of experience, with beginner to advanced classes available to all. Many opt to take more than one class. All fall dance students will have the opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker from December 17-19, 2021. This treasured holiday tradition returns to the stage at the RedFern Arts Center at Keene State College. MoCo's celebrated theater program includes musical theater and straight theater for kids in grades 2-12, as well as improvisation workshops taught in The Founder's Theatre, our 2500 sq. ft., climate controlled black box with tiered seating for up to 200. Musical and straight theater are divided into three age groups — Elementary for grades 2 through 5, Middle School for grades 6 through 8, and High School for grades 9 through 12. Each class works together to produce a show, and every student in the class will be cast in a role. Planned Fall semester performances include "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (Elementary Musical), "Peter Pan and Wendy" (Middle/High School Play), "Disney's Descendants" (Middle School Musical) and "Freaky Friday" (High School Musical). Classes begin August 30. For more information about tuition assistance or to register for classes please visit www.moco.org, call 357-2100 or send an email to info@moco.org. MoCo Arts does not charge fees for costumes, performance participation or leverage any type of hidden fee; the $25 registration fee is credited towards the class. MoCo offers easy monthly payments and discounts, including the unlimited package for students taking more than five dance classes per semester. Tuition Assistance is available. MoCo Arts has a partnership with the Keene Housing Kids Collaborative and offers free tuition to anyone living in Keene Housing. MoCo Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit multi-arts educational organization and sponsored in part by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. MoCo Arts is actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and well-being of students, families, volunteers and staff is always our highest priority. MoCo Arts has implemented numerous safety protocols and will adjust them as needed. All applicable guidelines comply with the CDC and the state of New Hampshire. Please visit our website for more information on the protective measures in place or contact us if you have questions or concerns.