Within the dance department, students are assigned to major in ballet, jass or modern dance. Everyone recieves at least two intermediate level classes in each of the other non-major dance areas each week. Emphasis is placed on the theory and practice of refining and enhancing dance technique, understanding and applying corrections and stumulating creativity within each student. Workshops include improvisation, choreography, dance history, dance theories and career-related alternatives. All instrumental, vocal and compositional areas can be accommodated at PGSA except organ, harp and unusual instruments such as bagpipes or hammered dulcimers.
Students develop their own schedules for study.
They recieve one intensive private lesson in their applied area each week and divide other time among small ensemble experiences, individual practice and courses in music fundamentals, improvisation, ear training, theory, music history, music criticism, conducting, contemporary music and many other optional classes. Vocal music studies emphasize calssical and operatic experiences. Percussion emphasizes non-mallet performance. Actors study acting technique and text analysis, improvisation, movement and voice. Design students study play analysis, research, drafting, rendering, painting, carpentry and state management.