Dance Instruction

Dance Instruction ( Mexican Community )

Provider: PLAZA DE LA RAZA INC

The center offers fine and performing arts programs on the Latino culture for individuals in Los Angeles County. Services include an ethnic oriented multipurpose center; special events; and arts and crafts, dance, music and mariachi instruction. There are no geographic restrictions.

This is a cultural center which was established to preserve the contributions and heritage of Latino culture, to educate people from all backgrounds about Latino culture and art and to ensure future contributions through training in major disciplines of the arts.

The center's School of Performing and Visual Arts, its primary program, offers free classes in the arts for low-income residents of Los Angeles City Council District #1 and also accepts people who live in other parts of Los Angeles County for a fee. Classes are generally offered for people age five and older and include dance, theater, music and visual arts. The school registers people for classes four times per year; the summer session has afternoon sections (occasional mornings) and sessions during the year meet in the afternoon. An introductory class is usually offered for very young children to familiarize them with each art form. Older youth choose classes according to their level of skill in a particular area and advance through the different levels by teacher evaluation. Classes usually last one to one and one half hours per day and meet once per week. Four times yearly recitals and exhibits are offered for the general public to display the works and achievements of its students.

The school offers classes in ballet, jazz, folklorico, modern dance, tap and dance exercises for children and adults. In addition, the school sponsors workshops presented by dance companies for students who have mastered a certain dance form and has a student repertory dance group which performs throughout the year. Theater classes include an introduction to acting class for youth age 8 to 17. The center's music classes include a music exploration class for various musical instruments. Older students can apply for piano or guitar classes. A full curriculum in "Mariachi" instruction is available to people 5 years to adult.

The school also offers classes in the visual arts, media, and Mexican crafts. Classes in the visual arts include an arts exploration class, drawing, painting and ceramics. The academy also offers special Mexican craft classes for people age 15 and older which include paper cutting and dough sculptures.

The center also hosts a variety of special events during the year which promote Latino culture and may include public exhibits of Latino art; special projects to help the community experience different facets of art; and special holiday celebrations.

Memberships are available for anyone who wants to support the efforts of the center. Members are advised about and invited to participate in upcoming special events and exhibits at the center. The center's quarterly newsletter, Plaza News, is available for anyone by request and includes articles about events and information about the school program. LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH Although most staff are bilingual and bi-cultural, classes are conducted in English only. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Call for information about current events at the center and in the community; for registration schedules for conservatory classes; or to request a copy of the newsletter. People who want to register for classes must come in person to the center two weeks before the session begins, registration usually occurs in June, September, January and March. People who apply for free classes must bring in proof of residency and income; staff determine if the person proof of residency and if the person qualifies. Small children must be accompanied by a parent to register. There may be a waiting list for some classes. FEES/PAYMENT SOURCE Fees vary, call for information.
Application Procedure
Languages
English Only
Service Condition Fee

Address

3540 N. Mission Rd.

Los Angeles , CA 90031 (Physical)

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Service hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 8:00pm; Saturday, 10:00am to 2:00pm.

Service/Intake and Administration

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