DECATUR, Ill. – Enrollment is open for the for Fall 2024 events. MCAA offers classes, group and private lessons for children from pre-school through 12th grade and private and group lessons for children from six through adult in the performing arts and music.
The fall programming offers a unique selection of quality instruction for beginners through advanced learners. Interested participants can enroll at
More information about individual programming — including requirements and fees — is offered below.
Fall 2024 programs
Decatur Youth Chorale with Director Melissa Miller
The Decatur Youth Chorale is more than just singing! We believe music and the arts empower and transform lives positively. Our choirs are open to all experience levels and build musicianship and long-lasting friendships in a joyful and creative atmosphere. The program teaches skills and techniques of singing, provides a fun learning experience, and will incorporate other musical elements with our singing, such as drumming, dancing, and acting!
Rehearsals will culminate in a performance for family and friends on the last day of class at 5:00 pm.
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. -- 5:30 p.m.
DATES: Tuesdays, September 10 - November 12
WHERE: Perkinson Music Center
FINAL CONCERT: November 12
AGE: 4-14
FEE: $100.00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Community Jazz Ensemble with Director Dr. Emma Taylor
MCJE welcomes area musicians from high school and older of all performance levels with at least one year of playing experience. Members can rehearse and perform with other musicians as they develop their improvisational skills and perform music from the Great American Songbook. Questions: contact etaylor@millikin.edu
Fall 2024 Session:
When: Tuesday, from 6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Dates: September 10 - November 5.
Where: Kirkland 136
Final Concert: November 10, UC Ballroom, on Â鶹ԼÅÄ campus
AGES: Grade 9 and older with a minimum of 1 year of playing experience are welcome.
FEE: $165.00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Community Percussion Ensemble with Director Brant Roberts
The Â鶹ԼÅÄ Percussion Ensemble, MCPE, is an ensemble open to all 5th grade and older percussionists interested in a group musical experience with at least one year of playing experience. MCPE will rehearse and perform pieces written and arranged for percussionist ensembles in a variety of styles. This group allows percussionists to play together, develop ensemble skills, and advance their individual playing levels in a fun and relaxed environment. This session culminates with an informal presentation on Wednesday, November 20th.
When: Wednesdays, 6:45 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dates: September 18th – November 20th
Where: Percussion House, Â鶹ԼÅÄ University
Performance: November 20th, location TBA
Age: Ages 10 and older with a minimum of 1 year of playing experience. Space is limited
Fee: $165.00
Beginner Guitar Courses with Instructor Luis Guerrero
Join our Group Guitar course and enjoy the learning process with others! This is a great way to learn to play the guitar! Students will learn ensemble pieces together, gain improvisational skills, and jam to their favorite songs! Each session ends with a group performance.
When: Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Session I: September 4 - October 16
Session II: October 23 - November 20
Where: Perkinson Music Center Room TBD
Ages: 10 – adult
Fee: $60.00
Sketching with Soul with Director Hannah Roberts
Do you like to draw? Would you like to improve but need some help? This drawing class is for you. Â鶹ԼÅÄ Art Therapy students will explore what you like to draw and offer practical skills to improve. Topics will include techniques for sighting and measuring, contouring and gestural lines, and using dark and light values to create form.
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Dates: September 11 - November 13, 2024
Where: Decatur Arts Council, 2nd Floor, 125 N Water St
Ages: 10-16
Fee: $100
Community Group Piano Classes with Director Dr. Pei-I Wang
This is a wonderful opportunity for beginning-level piano students seeking to develop music reading and piano skills while advancing their individual playing levels in a fun, relaxed environment. The last day of class will be an informal presentation open to guests.
Required textbook: Keyboard Fundamentals for Adult Beginners, 7th edition by James Lyke, Denise Edwards, Geoffrey Haydon, and others - 2017, ISBN 978-1-60904-503-6 (Available on Amazon.com)
When: Tuesdays, 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Dates: September 10 - November 19 (no class Oct 29)
Where: Perkinson Music Center, Room 213
Age: 16+
Fee: $165.00
Beginning Ukulele Courses with Instructor Luis Guerrero
In this fun 6-week session, students will learn basic techniques to play the ukulele and be challenged to develop their own styles. Students are encouraged to sign up for both sessions but there are no pre-requisites. Each session ends with a mini-performance for family and friends. Limited instruments are available to borrow for class but not to take off campus.
When: Wednesdays; 5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. for ages 8–11, 6:15 p.m. – 7 p.m. for ages 12 – adult
Session I: September 4 - October 16
Session II: October 23 - November 20
Where: Perkinson Music Center, Room 218
Ages: 10 and older
Fee: $60.00
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Community Cello Choir with Director Isadora Nojkovic
This group allows cellists to play together, develop ensemble skills, and advance their individual playing levels in a fun and relaxed environment.
When: Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Dates: September 3 - November 5
Where: Perkinson Music Center, Room 110
Performance: November 5
Age: All ages are welcome with a minimum of 1 year of playing experience
Fee: $125
Music and Movement with Director Melissa Miller
Music and Movement classes are designed for pre-kindergarten and younger children and their caretakers. The classes consist of playful and enjoyable traditional folk songs and rhymes, easily learned by caretakers and children and shared at home. This 6-week session is limited to 8 students and their caretakers to encourage participation and ensure a comfortable atmosphere.
When: Saturdays
Session I: Sept 7 - Oct 12
Session II: Oct 19 - Nov 23Ages: Infant - 4
Ages infants – 24 months: 9 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.
Ages 25 months to 4: 9:50 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Where: Perkinson Music Center Room 218
Fee: $40 for a 6-week class. Space is limited
Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra with Directors Dr. Neal Smith and Brianna Webb
- •Diana Eynon, string ensemble coach
- •Aaron Villarreal, percussion ensemble coach
The DYSO Program is a comprehensive musical training program for middle and high school instrumental students who play orchestral instruments and is focused on building musical excellence at all stages of musical development. The program includes performance opportunities.
Rehearsals: Mondays, 5:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Age: Middle School – High School
Fee: $52.00
Where: Kirkland Fine Arts Center 136
- •Monday, Nov 25, 7 p.m., Winter Concert
- •Sunday, Apr 27, 2 p.m., Spring Concert
Kirkland Fine Arts Center, Â鶹ԼÅÄ - •Friday, May 30 - June 1, Heart of Illinois Youth Symphony Festival
Eastern Illinois University
For more information, contact Dr. Neal Smith: nsmith@millikin.edu
About MCAA
The mission of MCAA is to foster a lifelong love and appreciation of the Arts by providing performance learning opportunities for students of all ages in music, theatre, dance, media, and visual arts and cultivating a companionable link between the university and the community. 
MCAA seeks to provide equitable community access to arts education opportunities in support of: 
- •artistic literacy and wellness;
- •innovative activities that promote creating, performing, and responding;
- •the pursuit and integration of meaning across cultural contexts;
- •excellence in pre-professional training.
