The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts is established as a conservatory style program of study for students who wish to combine intensive performing arts training with experiences that broaden understanding of the global community. The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts exists to provide members of The Young Americans with a learning environment that reinforces the YA experience of innovative and creative learning with academic rigor that advances artistry and leadership to establish each student as a lifelong learner.

Formed as a specialty school, The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts blends the concepts of theoretical learning with practical application. It is our belief that an education with an emphasis on the performing arts enables the student to develop diversity in their thought process, communication skills and approach to problem solving – skills vital to success in today’s global community.

To provide members of The Young Americans with a performance-based education emphasizing artistry, leadership, communication and collaboration, so that they can become better performers, teachers and human beings.

The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts offers each student a unique learning experience. The emphasis is upon training performers and arts educators, however, these components also contain fundamental lessons that can be applied to any career path the student may choose.

MUSIC OUTREACH TOUR TRAINING PROGRAM The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts runs a training program designed to prepare new members of The Young Americans for participation as a performer and teacher with The Young Americans’ International Music Outreach Tour. The training program is completed in the student’s first year and works on developing performance techniques, teaching techniques and artistic growth. New members of The Young Americans must complete this program prior to auditioning for a place on a Music Outreach Tour. Students interested in this program, please read information regarding Enrollment Option C. PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE The Performance Certificate program is a two-year program of study that emphasizes the development of artistic growth coupled with the development of leadership, cultural literacy and a commitment to continued personal growth. The Performance Certificate program is musically oriented and develops a foundation of contemporary performance skills in the genres of voice, acting, and dance. The overall program provides students with technical proficiency, live performance experiences, and core academic classes so they may become well rounded artists. Check out our Alumni page to see a partial listing of former Young Americans and what they have accomplished. PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES The integration between the college program and the productions of The Young Americans organization provides students the opportunity to continue to work towards completing their education with The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts while participating in domestic and international tours, dinner theatres, album recordings and large venue live concert performances.

Download the 2011-2012 Academic Catalog by clicking here.

Download the 2013-2014 College Prospectus by clicking here.

Through the NCMC affiliation, students enrolled in The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts’ Performance Certificate can opt to concurrently enroll through NCMC and work toward earning an Associate Degree in General Studies. Students will not duplicate courses; courses will be taught in our California classrooms or completed online.

BENEFITS

• In the course of two years students can earn up to 48 credits of YA course work taken through NCMC. These credits will appear on a NCMC transcript and be eligible for transfer to other educational institutions.
• Access to federal financial aid (grants and student loans) as a full?time NCMC student. Financial aid is available to qualified students enrolled in 6 or more North Central credit hours.
• By taking an additional 12 credits of General Education courses directly through NCMC, students may earn an Associate Degree in General Studies. These credits can be taken online at any time or in person after leaving the YA program.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN GENERAL STUDIES

The AGS is the most flexible degree option through NCMC and is earned by many students who wish to transfer to a college or university to complete a Bachelor’s Degree. To earn an AGS, a minimum of 60 college-level credits is required. In addition to the 48 credits students earn while participating in the Young Americans’ Performance Certificate program of study, an additional 12 credits must be taken directly through NCMC or another accredited college or university at any time before, during, or after your time with The Young Americans. Many courses are offered online throughout the fall, winter and summer NCMC sessions. Potential elective courses include: Art History, Intro to Marketing, Basic Photography, Intro to American Government, Intro to Sociology, Principles of Management, and Children’s Literature. (Pre-requisites may be required.)

Students should confer with an NCMC Advisor to create a personalized educational plan. Please contact Julieanne Tobin at 231.439.6511 or jtobin@ncmich.edu.

REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements are necessary to participate in the NCMC affiliation:

1. ACT (min. score Reading 21, English 18) or SAT (min. score Reading 450, Writing/English 430)
2. U.S. Citizenship (dual citizenship is acceptable – TOEFL required [min. score Paper 550, Computer-based 213, Internet-based 79])
3. Completion of NCMC enrollment steps and acceptance into NCMC.