Literary & Performing Arts   

Over the course of the class, you will be introduced to the basic elements of acting.  Drawing from published plays, you will work on monologues, scenes, and improvisations, learning how to develop a character, understand subtext, explore improvisation, and practice basic acting exercises. The goal of this multifaceted class is to discover new things about yourself in a relaxed environment and have a seriously good time. No experience is necessary.

In this beginner-level guitar course, students will learn fundamental guitar techniques in an engaging and social environment. The course covers essential musical elements such as rhythm, melody, and notation. Students will be taught proper posture and basic techniques for both the right and left hands. The curriculum includes learning to play simple songs using notes and chords in their open positions, as well as right-hand finger-picking patterns to play simple chord progressions.

A drum circle is a group of people who gather together to make music with percussion instruments. Percussion and drumming are all about rhythm and are effective tools for making significant changes in physical, emotional, and mental health and wellness! When we drum together, it feels like a breath of fresh air in this world! No experience is required. 

Take a look at some pictures from past Drumming Circle classes at Concordia Conservatory here.

Now that you’ve mastered the basics, learn picking techniques, strumming patterns, and barre chords. Learn to play a simple solo piece and with others in an ensemble setting. Learn basic music theory, such as scales, arpeggios, and common chord progressions to jam out. Learn to transpose using a capo.

Get started with the ukulele by learning basic chords and strums at a pace designed for first-time players. The uke is a popular choice for students who have never picked up an instrument before. You'll be surprised by how soon you're playing songs while picking up core musical skills through a variety of musical genres, from traditional Hawaiian music to post-war jazz, the folk revival, to current folk, pop, and rock favorites. This class is recommended for students who have never played an instrument before and want a gradual introduction to the ukulele.

Have you always wanted to sit down at a piano and play your favorite songs? What if you could accompany yourself singing a Joni Mitchell, or Beatles, or Cole Porter song? You could be the hit of the party – even if you are the only one there! Even if you’ve never touched a piano or read a note of music, Dr. Regina Zona will teach you everything you need to know to be able to play simple and complex chords, read a lead sheet, and create simple accompaniments so you can sing and play almost any song. This will be a small class so you will get lots of personal attention to support your learning. The only requirement is that you have a keyboard or piano at home so you can practice and play to your heart’s content!

This class covers the basics of playing the harmonica, including how to hold it and proper breathing and embouchure techniques. Students will learn essential skills like playing single notes, basic chords, bends, simple blues improvisation, and songs, fostering a solid foundation for further musical exploration and fun playing music.

You think about writing, but every time you face the blank page, anxiety takes over, and you can't let yourself go. Maybe you have an idea for a novel, journal, or essay but feel confused and don't know how to start. This is the class for you! Each week, we will have lessons on craft, where you will learn basic techniques, like structuring your plot or creating a convincing dialogue. You will also learn how to better organize thoughts, call the muses, and acquire discipline to write regularly. The craft lessons are followed by a prompt where we apply the techniques and practice skills that will help you improve your writing and move forward with your project.

Calling all gumshoes, crooks, and femme fatales: join us to screen film noir masterpiece Laura with Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. We will begin with the film's historical context and legacy, and after viewing, Picture House Education Manager Spencer Sapienza will lead a guided discussion through the cinematic language of the film and the intersection of plot, theme, and filmmaking techniques. Come prepared to share your thoughts, feelings, hidden identity, or tragic backstory! And remember, "suspect everybody and nobody."

Using examples mostly from the Beatles but also from Billy Joel, Nine Inch Nails, and classical composers, this course will explore the building blocks of music (scales, chords, keys, meter, and rhythm) and how composers use these elements to create music that is meaningful, expressive and dramatic. Whether you are a beginner or have some musical background, this class will enhance your understanding and appreciation of music.

Teenagers in the 1950s loved the new sound of rock and roll which was really an old sound: rhythm and blues. The older generation and the establishment thought rock and roll music led teenagers to become juvenile delinquents. Bill Haley & His Comets had the first rock and roll hit, “Rock Around the Clock.” Elvis Presley’s gyrating hips and provocative dance moves were seen as dangerous by the establishment, and Little Richard and Chuck Berry’s sensuous beats also challenged conventional norms as well as racial barriers. One group in Alabama went after businesses that had jukeboxes with the music and radio stations that played the music. This lecture will look at the early days of rock and roll, 1954-58, which left a lasting impact on the music industry and American popular culture.

Learn the basics of TV and motion picture screenwriting through sharing original work with an intimate group and offering/receiving constructive feedback. The class begins with the screening of several short film clips and a discussion of what makes a scene work or not. Students will deepen their media literacy and analysis skills while workshopping their own ideas for feature scripts or TV pilots. After establishing the importance of setting, character, and conflict, the class will get to the really exciting stuff: three-act structure and professional screenplay formatting! Having crossed Joseph Campbell’s proverbial threshold, the class will workshop outlines and key scenes and return changed with the makings of a perfect script.

To round out this fall’s film noir offerings with The Picture House, join us for a screening of Blood Simple, a sweaty, Southern neo-noir starring Frances McDormand and M. Emmett Walsh. Discussion topics will include filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen's pulp influences and noir's lasting legacy on Hollywood and beyond. And don’t forget, "the world is full of complainers and nothing comes with a guarantee."

If you have always wanted to learn to sing but have never had the opportunity to do so, this is the class for you. Join people who have the same love for singing that you do. You'll learn the essential tools of vocal technique (breathing, support, focus) in a supportive group setting so you can understand how to sing your favorite songs with ease. Singing both in a group setting and with some individualized instruction, we will also spend several weeks exploring the singing styles of the repertoire of Classic Broadway, the Great American Songbook, and Pop/Rock from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Why does the audience stand during the Hallelujah chorus in Handel's Messiah? What are the origins of this iconic Baroque work that is still played yearly at Christmastime? What impact has Messiah had on choral music and Western classical music? Join us to dive into the captivating melodies, powerful choruses, and intricate orchestration that make Messiah an enduring classic, and impress your friends with your knowledge of its roots and historical significance and the genius of Handel himself next time you go see it.

Looking to brush up on your high school or college Spanish in an enjoyable way? Is your Spanish advanced beginner to intermediate level? Join us for a screening and discussion of Valentín, an Argentinean film that will win your heart. We will watch the film with English subtitles, and you will discover why critic Roger Ebert praised the 8-year-old protagonist Valentín ("brave" in Spanish) for living up to his name. Then, we’ll have a guided discussion in Spanish about the characters, themes, and favorite scenes. Don’t worry about making mistakes—our instructor will be there to help. Come for a fun evening of film, conversation, and palomitas (popcorn)!