Performing Arts A.A.S. Degree

Division: Arts, Humanities and Learning Resources
Academic Dept:
Arts
Curriculum Chairs: Jo Robbins
Tel: 914-606-6828

Program Description:
Westchester Community College’s active Performing Arts Program, outstanding facilities, and proximity to the performing arts centers of New York City, offer students a wide and varied educational experience. The college is attractive as well because the metropolitan area and culturally rich Westchester County provide many career opportunities in the creative arts.

The course of study leading to the Associate in Applied Science degree in the Performing Arts provides a suitable program for students who are interested in transferring into BS, BA, and BFA degree programs at four-year colleges and universities. To enrich the classroom program, we also offer many extracurricular activities which train the performing arts major in areas needed to pursue a career in one of the many arts-related professions.

Students may select an emphasis in Dance, Drama (including Acting, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre), or Music (including Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Music Technology) to meet the requirements of the Performing Arts degree. Students should consult with the Curriculum Chair to plan their degree program.

Many of our graduates who concentrate in the arts find employment in the film and theatre industries as well as in numerous other performing arts-related professions. Still more graduates successfully transfer their credits to continue their studies at four-year institutions and earn degrees in drama, music, or dance.



Recommended Full-Time
Semester Plan
The curriculum chairperson for this program recommends taking the courses for this degree in a particular order. Click the button above for recommended semester-by-semester layout of the classes needed to complete this program.

Program Descriptions Table of Contents

Core Requirements

Credit Hours

  ENG 101, 102 Comp & Lit I & II 6  
  Mathematics 3-4  
  Science 3-4  
  Math/Science Elective 3-4  
  Social Science 3  
  Behavioral Science 3  
  Phys. Ed. (1 health/fitness, 1 sport) 2  
  Elective* 3  
  Total 26-29  
       
  * Choose from communications, English, film, French, Italian, Spanish or philosophy.  
       
 

Degree Requirements

Credit Hours

 
  Courses within the Performing
   Arts area
 
18
 
 
 

Dance: DANCE 101, 102 Elementary Modern Dance I & II, DANCE 107 Elementary Ballet, Dance 121 Elementary Jazz Dance, Dance 131 Jazz Dance Workshop, DANCE 120 Jazz/Music Theatre Dance, DANCE 205 Choreography and Performance, PEH 146 Jazz Aerobics, DANCE 105 Dance and Movement Education, DANCE 207 Independent Study.

Students wishing an emphasis in Dance should contact the Curriculum Chair for Performing Arts to plan their degree program. (Suggested first semester courses: Elementary Modern Dance, Elementary Jazz Dance, and/or Elementary Ballet.)

Drama: THEAT 101 Introduction to Theatre, THEAT 103 Western Drama, THEAT 111, 113, 201 Acting I, II, III, THEAT 117A Drama Improvisation, THEAT 108 Stagecraft Workshop I, THEAT 110 Stagecraft Workshop II.

Students wishing an emphasis in Drama should contact the Curriculum Chair for Performing Arts to plan their degree program. (Suggested first semester courses: Introduction to Theatre, Acting I.)

Music: Music Theory I & II, Piano, Piano Class I, II, III, IV, Vocal Ensemble I, II, III, IV, Guitar Ensemble I, II, III, IV, Applied Music, Music Appreciation, Musical Masterpieces, History of Jazz, Honors option in Theory I.

Music in Peekskill only: Introduction to MIDI Technology I & II, Intro to Audio, Electronic Music Composition, Songwriting on the Computer, Recording Engineering I & II, History of Electronic Music.

Students wishing an emphasis in Music should contact the Curriculum Chair for Performing Arts to plan their degree program. (Suggested first semester courses: MUSIC 129 Music Theory I, MUSIC 190 Music Appreciation, & MUSIC 101 Piano I.)

 
  Electives ** 17-20  
  Total 35-38  
  Minimum Total Credits 64  
       
 

** Students may use these electives to increase their emphasis in their chosen Performing Arts area.

 

 

75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, NY, 10595 • 914-606-6600
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