Any student who has the talent, self-discipline and passion needed to succeed in a rigorous arts training program will feel at home in one of COCA’s student dance companies or theatre ensembles.
From training with professional guest artists, to unforgettable performance opportunities, to individualized career guidance, we offer a nurturing path for every student based on their own aspirations, ideas and perspectives.
Our Student Companies
Vocal Performance
Request more information about Vocal Company and COCA’s Theatre Artist Program:
Jennifer Wintzer
Artistic Director of Theatre
314.561.4857
jwintzer@cocastl.org
Vocal Company
COCA’s vocal companies are designed for students to expand their vocal technique, repertoire and dive deeply into acting for musical theatre.
COCA’s vocal companies are placements for students in the Musical Theatre and Design-Tech tracks. There are two ensembles comprised of a Junior Division and Senior Division, based on age, with performance opportunities in each semester including a fully cast and staged concert version of a musical.
Ages: 10 to 18
Theatre
Improv Troupe
Students in the Improv Troupe will practice long-form and short-form improvisation, sketch comedy, and activities that involve audience participation – vital skills for every versatile screen actor, director and writer.
The Troupe is a placement for students in both Stage and Screen and Design-Tech; it is an ensemble for Junior and Senior Division students. Each semester includes a public performance at COCA as well as offsite as a touring troupe.
Ages: 10 to 18
Request more information about Improv Troupe and COCA’s Theatre Artist Program:
Jennifer Wintzer
Artistic Director of Theatre
314.561.4857
jwintzer@cocastl.org
Request more information about COCAwrites and COCA’s Theatre Artist Program:
Jennifer Wintzer
Artistic Director of Theatre
314.561.4857
jwintzer@cocastl.org
COCAwrites
In this placement students will workshop new plays and musicals written by professional composers and playwrights as well as have the chance to develop their own plays and musicals with the mentorship of leaders in the performance field.
COCAwrites is an open placement available to all three theatre tracks and both Junior and Senior Division students. Each spring, select student works will receive staged readings alongside professional productions and readings in COCA’s New Play Festival. Design-tech students will also have the chance to experiment with theatrical design in support of the new works.
Ages: 10 to 18
Dance
Request more information about our dance companies.
Antonio Douthit-Boyd
Co-Artistic Director of Dance
314.561.4906
adouthit-boyd@cocastl.org
Ballet Eclectica
Ballet Eclectica, pulls from the best of classical and contemporary ballet to build a repertoire fit for our top ballet students. Members of Ballet Eclectica are selected based on their ability to demonstrate clean classical technique, and strong pointe work. Students have the rewarding experience of working in a wide variety of both classical and contemporary styles due to COCA’s commitment to arranging annual residencies with multiple visiting artists. These select guest choreographers are notable dance practitioners and offer their expertise providing our students with a learning experience that mirrors the nature of a professional dance company setting. Selected students are required to take up to six (6) classes a week and must enroll in a ballet class scheduled prior to company rehearsal.
Ballet Eclectica First/Apprentice Company (Ages 13-18) Dues – $475
Requirements: 6 classes per week – 3 Ballet, 1 Modern, 2 Elective
Students placed in Ballet V are required to enroll in at least two (2) pointe classes during the week. Students placed in Ballet VI/VII are required to enroll in at least one (1) pointe class during the week. It is mandatory for company members placed in Ballet VI/VII to take Saturday combined class en pointe.
Rehearsal times: Monday 7:30-9:00; Saturday 3:00-6:00
Ballet Eclectica Second Company (Ages 10+) Dues – $275
Requirements: 4 classes per week – 2 Ballet, 1 Modern, 1 Elective
Students are required to enroll in at least one (1) pointe class per week.
Rehearsal times: Monday 7:30-9:00; Wednesday 7:30-9:00
Ages: 10 to 18
Auditions Annually in May
Artistic Director: Antonio Douthit-Boyd
COCAdance
COCAdance is an advanced student dance company comprised of COCA’s most versatile young artists. Members of COCAdance are selected based upon their technical proficiency across genres, and an eagerness to engage in the creative process. Students have the rewarding experience of working in a wide variety of styles due to COCA’s commitment to arranging annual residencies with multiple visiting artists. These select guest choreographers are notable dance practitioners and offer their expertise providing our students with a learning experience that mirrors the nature of a professional dance company setting. Selected students are required to take up to six (6) classes a week and must enroll in a technique class scheduled prior to company rehearsal.
COCAdance First/Apprentice Company (Ages 13-18) Dues – $475
Requirements: 6 classes per week – 3 Ballet, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern, 1 Elective
Rehearsal times: Wednesday 7:30-9:00; Sunday 1:30-4:30
COCAdance Second Company (Ages 10+) Dues – $275
Requirements: 4 classes per week – 2 Ballet, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern
Rehearsal times: Friday 7:30-9:00
Ages: 10 to 18
Auditions Annually in May
Artistic Director: Kirven Douthit-Boyd
Artistic Director Emerita: Lee Nolting
Request more information about our dance companies.
Kirven Douthit-Boyd
Co-Artistic Director of Dance
314.561.4907
kdouthit-boyd@cocastl.org
Request more information about our dance companies.
Kirven Douthit-Boyd
Co-Artistic Director of Dance
314.561.4907
kdouthit-boyd@cocastl.org
COCA Hip-Hop Crew
The COCA Hip-Hop Crew consists of students ages 10-18, as well as select adult hip-hop performers from the St. Louis region. Founded by Artistic Director Anthony “Redd” Williams, COCA’s Hip-Hop Crew follows a curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in the commercial dance industry. Crew members are selected after demonstrating their ability to pick up choreography, understanding of rhythm, and movement quality. Students have the rewarding experience of working in a wide variety of Hip-Hop styles due to COCA’s commitment to arranging annual residencies with visiting artists. These guest choreographers are some of the most notable dancers and creative producers in the commercial dance industry and expose our students to the rigor of professional experience. In efforts to establish versatility amongst our young artists, Students are required to take up to five (5) classes per week.
Hip-Hop Crew First/Apprentice Company (Ages 13-18) Dues – $475
Requirements: 5 classes per week – 2 Hip-Hop, 1 Jazz, 2 Elective
Rehearsal times: Tuesday 7:30-9:00; Sunday 4:30-6:30
Hip-Hop Crew Second Company (Ages 10+) Dues – $275
Requirements: 4 classes per week – 1 Hip-Hop, 1 Jazz, 2 Electives
Rehearsal times: Sunday 2:00-3:30
Hip-Hop Crew Senior Company (Ages 19+) Dues – $175
Requirements: 2 classes per week – 2 Hip-Hop
Rehearsal times: Tuesday 7:30-9:00; Sunday 4:30-6:30
Ages: 10 to 18
Auditions Annually in May
Artistic Director: Anthony “Redd” Williams
Support Services
All members of COCA’s Student Companies and Ensembles receive support services. Based on your student’s needs, we focus on preparing our High School students for college and provide master class opportunities to our second company members.
All First and Apprentice Dance Companies, Allegro, and CTC students receive:
- ACT Tutoring
- Senior College Audition Prep Class (Fall Semester)
- Summer Intensive Prep: Headshots and resume
- Dancewear**
- Transportation**
- Discounted Master Classes
- Group Tickets
- Artistic Counseling
- Opportunity to apply for NHSDA
- College Support Services
- Year 1: Schools, Resources, Timeline
- Year 2: Financial Aid/Scholarships/FAFSA
- Year 3: College Application/ Essay
- Year 4- What to expect in college
All Second Company and Adagio students receive:
- Master Classes for Second Company Members
- Group Tickets
- Annual workshop for Second company Members
- Transportation**
- Annual workshop for Second company Members
- Topics will range from Summer Intensive Counseling/Prep to Injury Prevention
- Dancewear**
**Dancewear and transportation services are offered to students who qualify based on financial need and scheduling.
Tuition/Financial Assistance
All Pre-Professional Division Students taking 6 classes or below are eligible for COCA’s Multi-Class Discount and are eligible to apply any Financial Assistance to all classes. For Pre-Professional Division Students taking 7–10 classes, a discount of $100 off each class will be applied and students are eligible to apply any Financial Assistance to all classes.
National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA)
The National Honor Society for Dance ArtsTM (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization, created to recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K–12 education, dance studios, cultural/community centers, performing arts organizations, and post-secondary education.
High School Pre-Professional students will have the opportunity to apply to NHSDA at COCA as a student led club with leadership and service opportunities.
Discovery Young Artist Program