Merce Cunningham Dance Company | Professional Training Program

All candidates for the Professional Training Program must have completed at least ten classes in the Open Program and have demonstrated the ability to take daily class at Elementary level or higher. Students must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Students currently attending high school, or who have not received their diploma or equivalent, may attend classes in the Professional Training Program but they are not eligible to receive credits toward a certificate. Students who subsequently complete high school or who pass the GED may apply for advanced standing in the program. Also view the class schedule.

Accreditation
The Merce Cunningham Studio is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance. The National Association of Schools of Dance was established in 1981 to develop a closer relationship among schools and programs of dance for the purpose of examining and improving practices and professional standards in dance education and training. The National Association of Schools of Dance has been designated by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education as the agency responsible for the accreditation of all dance curricula.

Enrollment
Enrollment is based on the academic quarter system, corresponding to the four seasons, with terms beginning in early July (Summer), October (Fall), January (Winter), and April (Spring). Students arriving mid-quarter attend class in the Open Program until the start of a new quarter. A student may elect to enroll full-time (8-9 classes per week), three-quarter time (6-7 classes per week), or half-time (4-5 classes per week). Students new to the Professional Training Program must enroll in a minimum of five classes per week. Merit scholarship recipients must agree to attend class daily, and fulfill a minimum of six classes per week. Merce Cunningham Studio Professional Training Program Application Form.

Academic Credits
Credits are determined on the basis of the student's attendance record and are recorded at the conclusion of each quarter. Additional credits are awarded by the Studio for participation in workshops and performances under faculty supervision. Credits earned in the Professional Training Program may be accepted at other institutions at the discretion of the school to which the student transfers.

Credits/Year (4 Quarters)	Enrollment	Credits/Quarter
0-36 cred. = 1st year status	1/2 time (4 classes/week)	= 6.0 cred.
37-72 cred. = 2nd year status	1/2 time (5 classes/week)	= 7.5 cred.
73-108 cred. = 3rd year status	3/4 time (6 classes/week)	= 9.0 cred.
109-144 cred. = 4th year status	3/4 time (7 classes/week)	= 10.5 cred.
	full-time (8 classes/week)	= 12.0 cred.
	full-time (9 classes/week)	= 13.5 cred.
Additional Credits:	Workshops	= 1-4 cred.
	Performances	= 1-4 cred.

MARY LISA BURNS, Director of Education, has taught at the Merce Cunningham Studio since 1988, and has worked at the Studio as Studio Director, and then as Director of Education, since September, 2000. She holds a B.A. from Barnard College, an M.F.A. from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a Certificate from the Merce Cunningham Studio. She also holds a certificate of completion from the Harkness Center for Dance’s Dance Education Lab program. She has also taught at Barnard College since 1996, and has been a guest teacher at other colleges as well. A member of Kenneth King & Dancers five years, Ms. Burns performed with numerous other downtown choreographers and companies and her own work has been presented at the Merce Cunningham Studio, Columbia University’s Miller Theater, and Barnard College’s Minor Latham Playhouse, among others. In addition, she has both studied and taught pilates-based body work in New York City.

212.255.8240 x32
marylisa@merce.org

Financial Aid
The Studio is committed to assisting as many qualified candidates as its funds will allow and seeks to aid those students whose personal resources are insufficient for the cost of the program. Aid is awarded on the basis of need and/or merit through a program of scholarships, federal grants, and work-study opportunities. Applications for financial aid are accepted at all times throughout the academic year.

Merit scholarships are awarded through auditions that are conducted quarterly. Scholarship students receive tuition credit for one-half the cost of enrollment at six classes per week. United States citizens or permanent residents may also qualify for federally funded student financial aid, based solely on need and awarded without reference to age, gender, marital status, sexual preference, race, religion, or national or ethnic origin.

The application for financial assistance through the Professional Training Program is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All merit scholarship students are required to file a copy of the FAFSA with the Administrator.

Professional Training Program Rates

Registration (lifetime)	$50
4 classes per week	$600 a quarter
5 classes per week	$700 a quarter
6 classes per week	$800 a quarter
7 classes per week	$900 a quarter
8 classes per week	$1000 a quarter

Professional Training Program Academic Calendar

Fall Quarter 2009: September 8 – November 29

Holiday (Studio Closed): Thursday, November 26th (Thanksgiving)

Winter Scholarship Audition: Tuesday, November 17th*

Winter Quarter 2009/2010: November 30 – March 7

Winter Workshop: Monday, Dec. 14 - Friday, Dec. 18

Winter Break: December 21st – January 3rdWinter Quarter Resumes: Monday, January 4th Holiday (Studio Closed): Monday, January 18th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

Spring Scholarship Audition: Tuesday, March 2nd*

Spring Quarter 2010: March 8 – May 30

Spring Workshop: To be announced

Summer Scholarship Audition: Tuesday, May 18th*

Summer Quarter 2010: May 31 – August 22

Summer Workshop: Monday, July 12 - Friday, July 16

Holiday (Studio Closed): Monday, May 31st (Memorial Day), Sunday, July 4th (Independence Day)

Summer Break: August 23rd – September 6th

Holiday (Studio Closed): Monday, September 6th (Labor Day)

Fall Scholarship Audition: Thursday, September 2nd*

*dates subject to change

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