Spring Saturday Program
Spend your Saturday mornings at The Academy.
DANCE
Session 1
March 7 - March 28, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dance
Fundamentals of Technique
The perfect program balance for comprehensive dance training. We will give your child the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, and modern dance, all while inspiring their creative voice. This is the perfect introduction to dance training at The Academy. Technical Artistry will offer codified techniques and also allow your child to learn to express themselves through the language of dance. Participants will be building not only on the required technical elements of the dance field but also beginning to understand and speak with their artistic voices. Faculty includes current Academy instructors as well as alumni that are working professionals in the dance arts. This session will end with a presentation of what was learned during the intensive.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
Session 2
April 11 - May 2, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dance
Technical Artistry
The perfect program balance for comprehensive dance training. We will give your child the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, and modern dance, all while inspiring their creative voice. This is the perfect introduction to dance training at The Academy. Technical Artistry will offer codified techniques and also allow your child to learn to express themselves through the language of dance. Participants will be building not only on the required technical elements of the dance field but also beginning to understand and speak with their artistic voices. Faculty includes current Academy instructors as well as alumni that are working professionals in the dance arts. This session will end with a presentation of what was learned during the intensive.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
Media arts
Session 1
March 7 - March 28, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Animation I
Intro to Animation
Students will survey the ten principles of animation through a variety of technical projects. They will learn classic 2D animation techniques through storyboarding, illustration, and character design. They will use various software as well as hand drawn techniques.
On the last day of the program, students, friends, and family will come together for a screening of their projects.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
Session 2
April 11 - May 2, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Animation II
Intermediate animation
The perfect program balance for comprehensive dance training. We will give your child the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, and modern dance, all while inspiring their creative voice. This is the perfect introduction to dance training at The Academy. Technical Artistry will offer codified techniques and also allow your child to learn to express themselves through the language of dance. Participants will be building not only on the required technical elements of the dance field but also beginning to understand and speak with their artistic voices. Faculty includes current Academy instructors as well as alumni that are working professionals in the dance arts. This session will end with a presentation of what was learned during the intensive.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
Musical Theatre & Theatre
Session 1
March 7 - March 28, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Theatrical Movements
Musical Theater Choreography
A core part of theatrical training is movement. This theatrical movement course focuses on beginning - intermediate musical theater choreography. Students spend four classes learning and exploring fundamental movement techniques that result in a fully choreographed number from a musical.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
Session 2
April 11 - May 2, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Scene Study
Into the Woods
A great primer class for students interested in Theater/Musical Theater and the Academy’s summer program. Students spend four classes learning and exploring scene work from the Tony award winning musical Into the Woods. The script is an excellent tool for understanding character development and ensemble made storytelling.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
visual arts
Session 1
March 7 - March 28, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sketch to Study
Painting and Sculpture
Aligned with The Academy’s Visual Arts Department’s curriculum, The Visual Arts Saturday Program focuses on teaching foundational technical skills along with contemporary art-making practices.
In Sketch to Study, students will explore working at various speeds from gesture and improvisational methods of drawing to more planned and intentional methods of image making. Students will learn a variety of drawing techniques and will use their “quick” ideas as a resource to create more involved painting and sculpture projects. Weekly exercises will include drawing from both observation and imagination. Our program’s instruction is highly individualized, and projects will be tailored to and accessible for students at all levels, from beginners to those with advanced arts training and experience.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
Session 2
April 11 - May 2, 2026
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Abstract and Narrative Art
Exploring Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture
Students will learn two and three-dimensional painting, printmaking, and sculptural processes to develop and build a series of narrative images. Working from observation and imagination, students will explore abstraction and the various ways images can convey information and tell stories sequentially through composition and framing. Our program’s instruction is highly individualized, and projects will be tailored to and accessible for students at all levels, from beginners to those with advanced arts training and experience. Though recommended, Sketch to Study: Painting and Sculpture is not a prerequisite for this session.
For students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
Cost: $250 for one session or $475 for both.
Life Changing experiences
Students in the Middle School Programs have the unique opportunity to study with working professional faculty who are leaders in their fields.
Our educators include performers from the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, dancers from The Joffrey Ballet, award-winning filmmakers, and more.
With guidance from these accomplished artists, students receive hands-on training that offers a deep, real-world understanding of the arts.
Professional Arts Instructors
In The Academy’s Middle School Programs, students don’t just learn about technique— they apply it.
Whether they are producing an EP in our Music Program or preparing an audition-ready monologue in the Theatre/Musical Theatre Program, application is at the heart of each department’s curriculum.
Hands-on
Art-Making
Community is a key part of The Academy Method.
Through project collaboration and shared experiences, students in the Middle School Programs start building their artistic networks earlier than other young artists— many leaving with lifelong friends.
Peer Collaboration
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS FAQ
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The Saturday Program is for students currently in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade regardless of age.
The Summer Program is for students heading into 7th, 8th, or 9th grade, also regardless of age.
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The Saturday Program is $475 for both sessions or $250 for one session.
The Summer Program is $995.
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Yes. Please email Program Coordinator Sarah Grant to pay your registration fee in installments.