McDonogh Community Arts

Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Maya Richard
Cost: $175

Step into the magical world of dance with our Intro to Dance class designed specifically for energetic and creative minds! In this engaging program, students will embark on a journey of self-expression and movement exploration and will be led through the basics of dance, fostering coordination, rhythm, and a love for creative expression. Through imaginative play and age-appropriate choreography, your child will develop confidence and grace in a supportive and fun-filled environment. Join us as we twirl, leap, and dance our way into a world of creativity and joy!

Day of the Week: Wednesday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Beth Pacione (Common Tone)
Cost: $180

Story Makers brings early elementary students together to experience a story through movement, song, and crafts. Each week, students explore a different children's book through the lens of fine arts. They will sing, play music, dance, and create a craft or prop that pairs with the weekly tale. By the end of the session, children will have learned different ways to tell a story, how to create a narrative through music, and how to express their imagination in different ways with the help of their Story Maker community. Come and help breathe life and creativity into beloved children's literature and let your imagination run wild!

Day of the Week: Thursday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Kit Benz (Common Tone)
Cost: $180

Let your child shine like the rock star they've always dreamed of becoming! Tone Tours is a unique group lesson class for older Lower School students, providing them with an exciting opportunity to delve deeply into the captivating world of music through hands-on learning of one instrument. Students will embark on an inspiring musical adventure, where they will learn beginner techniques on the ukulele. This isn't just about individual practice; it's about embracing the joy of playing music together in an ensemble setting.

Tone Tours is more than just a music class—it's a nurturing environment where collaboration is key. Children are encouraged to inspire one another, work through challenges collectively, and provide mutual support as they navigate their musical journey. Children will build strong foundational musical skills, and also friendships and teamwork abilities. Watch as your child grows in confidence and creativity, all while having fun and making memories that will inspire creativity!

Day of the Week: Thursday
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Dan Wagner
Cost: $175

Students will participate in fun theater activities and games that teach skills for the stage that include improvisation, character development, script reading, scene work, and unarmed stage combat. Students will gain confidence and self-esteem as they learn and improve their skills in a supportive, ensemble-building, and teamwork-focused environment.

Ages: 5+
Day: Varies
Session: 6-, or 12-week sessions offered; lessons begin the week of 9/15/25
Instructor: MCA Dance Faculty
Cost: $732 (12 weeks, $61/lesson), $366 (6 weeks, $61/lesson)

McDonogh proudly offers individual dance lessons for students of all ages, experience levels, and dance interests. MCA Dance Lessons emphasize the development of skills in creating and performing dance in various genres. The lessons are 30 minutes. If lessons are missed due to sickness or other school-imposed conflicts, efforts will be made to make up the lesson at a separate time; one make-up lesson is built into the fall session to accommodate these conflicts. Please note: 24-hour advance notice is required for missed lessons, and no credits are given due to unexcused student absences. If you choose to withdraw your child from the program, no credit will be given for any remaining lessons. 

REGISTER HERE

Ages: 5+
Day: Varies
Session: 6-, or 12-week sessions offered; lessons begin the week of 9/15/25
Instructor: MCA Visual Art Faculty
Cost: $732 (12 weeks, $61/lesson), $366 (6 weeks, $61/lesson)

McDonogh proudly offers individual art lessons for students of all ages, experience levels, and art interests. MCA Art Lessons emphasize developing skills in creating visual art in various mediums. The lessons are 30 minutes. If lessons are missed due to sickness or other school-imposed conflicts, efforts will be made to make up the lesson at a separate time; one make-up lesson is built into the fall session to accommodate for these conflicts. Please note: 24-hour advance notice is required for missed lessons and no credits are given due to unexcused student absence. If you choose to withdraw your child from the program, no credit will be given for any remaining lessons. 

REGISTER HERE

Ages: Five and up
Day/Time: Lesson times to be determined by teacher and student availability
Session: 6-, 12-, or 30-week sessions offered, lessons begin the week of September 15
Instructor: MCA Music Faculty
Cost: $63/lesson for 6- and 12-week sessions ($378 total) and $61/lesson for 30-week session ($1830 total)

McDonogh proudly offers individual music lessons for students of all ages, experience levels, and musical interests. MCA Music Lessons emphasize the development of skills in creating and performing music on a specific instrument. Middle and Upper School lessons are 30 minutes and Lower School lessons are 25 minutes. Lessons are offered after school and in the evening. Lessons are also offered to McDonogh students during the school day; lessons scheduled during the day do not interfere with academic programs.

This year, lessons will be offered in 30-, 12-, or 6-week blocks of time. Students who sign up for the full 30-week block will receive a discounted lesson rate and will be given priority for daytime lessons. Daytime lessons cannot be guaranteed for those students who sign up for 12 or 6 weeks of lessons.

Music instruction is offered on the following instruments:

• Drums and Percussion: Ages 5 and up
• Brass (trumpet, trombone, and tuba): Ages 8 and up
• Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, saxophone, and oboe): Ages 8 and up
• Guitar: Ages 6 and up
• Piano: Ages 5 and up
• Strings (violin, viola, and cello): Ages 5 and up
• Voice: Ages 10 and up
• Ukulele: Ages 6 and up

If lessons are missed due to sickness or other school-mandated conflicts, efforts will be made to make up the lesson at a separate time; three make-up lessons are built into the 30-week session to accommodate for these conflicts. One make-up lesson is built into the 6- and 12-week lessons for this same reason.

Please note: 24-hour advance notice is required for missed lessons and no credits are given due to unexcused student absence. If you choose to withdraw your child from the program, no credit will be given for any remaining lessons.

REGISTER HERE