FAQ
Your questions answered!
When can I start?
Enrollment/ onboarding for Fall—- —--September 1-15th For 1st trimester
Enrollment/ onboarding for Winter— December 1-15th For 2nd trimester
Enrollment/ onboarding for Spring —-March 1-15th For 3rd trimester
NO ENROLLMENT June 15th- July 15th is reserved for students with UCMD for 2 trimesters or more
Enrollment for Summer————————- June1st- July 15 Camp runs July 15th- August 15th
August 15th- September 15th closed for festival season, and live in house events + admin work only
I found UCMD in between enrollment periods, can I still join?
Yes, however only for our “one class pass program.” We believe that cycles are important to the culture and nature of creative work. Once we set off on a project, song, choreography, performance, we like to see it all the way through.
Whats the difference between your Explore programs and Expansion programs?
Our explore programs are for beginner while our expand and elevate programs focus more on depth of exploration through the arts. Ideally all our students start in our explore program and move from explore once they have figured out what they are really looking to focus on. A student should not be in explore for more than a trimester.
What makes UCMD an impactful experience?
UCMD excessively employs professionals in the field. UCMD teachers have all had successful careers and 1st hand experiences as professional artists. This puts us in a unique position to not only guide students in the arts but connect them with industry leaders, and support their entrepreneurial and professional growth. Students also get to see and be inspired by talented individuals that are thriving in their zones of genius outside of the classroom!
WhO Runs the homework help program?
UCMD is super excited to announce our partnership with ACE Academic learning center. ACE is a leader in the academic space, and will be leading, training, and providing guidance to support our homework help program. This includes but not limited to accountability for school assignments, completion of homework, development of organizational and time management skills.
Why UCMD and not private lessons?
Our community. Our network. “If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go with others”. Life is all about collaborations and connections, what better way to learn than in a space where you can fail without major repercussions where we can collectively learn that everything truly is “figureoutable”.
Are classes bilingual?
YES! All UCMD teachers and staff speak 2 languages or more! We cannot talk music without discussing different cultures and honoring different parts of the world. Programs are lead in mostly English and Spanish.
ARE PARENTS ALLOWED IN THE CLASS?
Part of the work UCMD is doing is helping your child develop their own sense of independence. We welcome parents into the classroom for the 1st couple of classes if the student is young however afterwards we do ask that the parent either wait outside or drop off. We do offer the opportunity to download our app that allows you to watch a live stream of our classes.
What are the benefits of arts ed?
The benefits of children participating in the performing arts is numerous. They build upon their social, emotional, physical and even academic skills, resulting into enhanced cognitive ,motor and social skills. Being involved in music and dance results in working together and building a strong relationship with teachers and students which reinforces their identity in school. Further, researches in mental health have stated that one in every ten children are being diagnosed with mental health disorders, engaging in performing arts greatly reduces this risk.
Let’s now understand how each element of performing art practiced in school impacts the social wellbeing of the child:
Music: Music has great healing power and relieves students of any anxiety and stress. It soothes the mind and helps them gain mental and emotional clarity. Playing an instrument drastically improves overall the learning and concentration skills. Overall students learn patience ,coordination, and cooperation while practicing music.
Dance : Dance is a physical stress buster, it improves strength, flexibility and keeps them healthy. Dance builds positive body image, and self confidence that students then radiate towards the world. A dancer develops a very intimate relationship with self and understands more abstract concepts such as the importance of body awareness, breath work, spacial creativity and ho two care and respect their bodies.
Art and Design: Art and design help improve imagination skills, creative skills. Children and teens learn to be patient and express their thoughts more creatively. They understand the mindfulness and flow needed to create. Diligently being sucked into a creative skill sharpens the mind, and exposing your creation builds self identity and strengthens communication and self advocacy.
Theatre: Theatre helps in improving the communication skills ,acting skills , articulation skills along with the presentation skills. Theatre develops empathy and collaboration.
The arts are an incredibly powerful tool to support lessons of the self and how we can be positive members of society. Art across all disciplines hones in on life and human skills needed in any industry and areas of life.