Westchester Community College, State University of New York

Welcome to the Performing Arts curriculum,

The A.S. degree in Performing Arts includes Music, Dance and Theater. You can concentrate in one area, or can combine courses from two or three different areas to complete the degree.

If you’re interested in studying Music, we offer a wide range of courses that cover all areas of music. Our Music History courses cover topics from ancient history to cutting edge electronic music. We also offer Music theory, Ear Training and Composition. Our performance classes include private lessons on every instrument as well as voice and composition. We also offer group classes in piano and guitar, and our ensemble groups include the Chorus, and the Instrumental and Vocal Ensemble. Westchester Community College boasts of a musical technology program that rivals many 4-year schools. We offer classes in our MIDI lab, as well as recording classes in the TV studio. Our technology courses include a range of classes covering music software, working with MIDI, electronic music, and recording engineering. The Music program produces several concerts at the end of the semester. Students also direct their own music groups and concerts through the Music Club.

For more information about the Music program or the Music Club, contact Professor Rosemarie Serrano at rosemarie.serrano@sunywcc.edu. If you’re interested in music technology, contact Professor Carlos Delgado at carlos.delgado@sunywcc.edu.

Our Dance program offers basic classes in ballet and modern dance, as well as specialty classes such as Latin Dance, Hip Hop and Jazz. More advanced dance students can take Choreography. Every class in the Dance program performs in a recital at the end of the semester. Students may also participate in the Dance Club and DanceWorks. DanceWorks is Westchester Community College’s dance company. It provides a professional experience for students interested in studying dance. If you’re interested in Dance, contact Professor Alexis del Sol at alexis.delsol@sunywcc.edu.

The Theater program offers three levels of Acting classes. The Drama Club and Viking Theatrics produce several plays throughout the academic year. If you’re interested in the Theater program contact Professor Steven Riedel at steven.riedel@sunywcc.edu.

The Westchester Community College campus has several performance venues. Our main theater in the Hankin Academic Arts building seats an audience of over 390. The Davis Auditorium in the Gateway Center provides a recital hall for music students, and the amphitheater provides an outdoor venue for concerts and theater productions.

In addition to our program offerings, we pride ourselves in providing opportunities for students to develop their own creations and encourage students to compose and direct. Our students can boast of performing opportunities that are not available to them at other schools.

Welcome to Westchester Community College. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about our degree and our activities in the Performing Arts.  

Contact Information

Phone: 914-606-7707
Office location: HAAB 115
Email: rosemarie.serrano@sunywcc.edu
Title: Curriculum Chair for Performing Arts
Department/Division: School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Degree Information:

• BFA in Art/Illustration from Syracuse University
• Bachelor of Music Degree from California State University at Los Angeles
• MA in Music from California State University at Los Angeles

Courses Taught:

• Chorus
• Music Theory
• Music History
• Ear Training
• Private Voice Lessons

Honors and Awards:

• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Viking Award from SGA

Publications and Presentations:

• Presentation on Psychology of Music for the Faculty Resource Network

Institution Service or Academic Service:

• Co-Chair of the Faculty Senate Diversity Committee
• Co-Chair of the WCCFT Political Action Committee
• Senator on the Faculty Senate
• Faculty Advisor to the Music Club
• Member of the WCCFT E-board

Financial Aid

Nearly 33% of Westchester Community College students receive some form of financial aid. Financial Aid is available to students who qualify. In addition, the Westchester Community College Foundation offers $1.6 million in scholarships annually.

Sports

The Westchester Community College Athletic Department sponsors thirteen different intercollegiate athletic teams in various sports. The roster of sports offered includes Men’s Baseball, Women's Softball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Bowling, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's and Women's Track and Field, Men’s Soccer, and Women’s Volleyball. Visit the Vikings Athletics website for schedules, reports, and more.

Locations

We’re accessible: Public transit-friendly main campus and extension locations. Online classes for wherever you are. Valhalla (main campus); extension sites in New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, Shrub Oak, Mahopac, Ossining, Port Chester and Peekskill (Center for the Digital Arts) and White Plains (Center for the Arts).