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| Mason Gross School of the Arts Extension Division Adult Programs
Click here for a current brochure of classes. Adobe Reader required. Music Indian Music Dance Visual Arts
Facilitate exploration and lifelong experiences in the arts. Courses of study are available for beginners, enthusiastic amateurs, and those with professional training. Fall Semester: September 14-January 16 Spring Semester: January 25-May 15 Music and Dance courses meet in the Mason Gross Performing Arts Center in New Brunswick.
Individual instruction with our faculty of conservatory-trained musicians is available in 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions in voice, piano, violin, viola, cello, string/electric bass, flute, clarinet, oboe/English horn, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, tuba, guitar, drumset, and percussion. All instructors are dedicated professional musicians with advanced degrees in music. Faculty bios are available on the web. Lessons are scheduled by arrangement between 2-9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays. We offer 15-week fall and spring semesters and a flexible 10-week summer semester.
To request placement in our private lesson program, new students may submit a Request for Private Instruction Form or contact the Extension Division office. Each student’s musical and personal needs are taken into consideration during the placement process. Teaching styles and availability vary, so 30-minute trial lessons are recommended and available for $29.
Composition Instruction Private instruction is available to all levels. Students explore various compositional techniques through a variety of exercises, as well as through listening and analysis. Taught by Paul Undreiner, Ph.D. Private Lesson Tuition (per semester) 30-minute weekly lessons: $435 ($29 per lesson) 45-minute weekly lessons: $652.50 ($43.50 per lesson) 1 hour weekly lessons: $870 ($58 per lesson) There is a surcharge for private study with Mason Gross college faculty members.
Payment plans are available. Class Piano for Beginners Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 (continuing students); Tuesdays 7:30-8:30 (new students) Have you always wanted to learn how to play the piano? Here is your chance! This small class meets in the music department’s piano lab, fully equipped with keyboards and headphones. Dr. Sung Tae Park assists class participants in the development of basic keyboard skills and guides them to an understanding of music fundamentals. Tuition: $375 per semester (includes book) Chamber Music Experience the joy of exploring new repertoire and interacting with other musicians in small groups. Chamber Music is open to all instruments and chamber ensembles (duos, trios, quartets, and quintets) rehearse weekly October thru May with coaching from Mason Gross Extension Division faculty. Placement auditions for the program are held on the first two Saturdays of the fall semester. Students are placed into small groups with other musicians of the same level by the director, in consultation with the faculty. Assignments may change mid-year to allow for a change in instrumentation, repertoire, or coach. Chamber ensembles may perform at the end-of-semester recitals and additional public performance opportunities are available. Tuition: $275 per semester
Tuition: $485 per semester
Carnatic Classical Voice Carnatic music is a system of music associated with South India, roughly confined to four modern states: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It emphasizes the rendering of elaborate written compositions. These compositions are deeply meaningful and are written to be sung. The basic elements of Carnatic music are sruti (relative musical pitch), swara (musical sound of a single note), raga (mode or melodic formulae), and tala (rhythmic cycles). Fundamentals are best learned through a systematically designed curriculum under the guidance of a professionally trained teacher. Our distinguished faculty comes with a rich musical background and advanced training that enables them to teach this art form with great ease and finesse. Instructor: Asvin Bhogendra Beginning Group (All Ages): Saturday 9-10 a.m. Advanced Group (All Ages): Saturday 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Instructor: Kalyani Ramani Beginning Group (Ages 14-Adult): Thursday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group (Ages 14-Adult): Thursday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group (Ages 14-Adult): Thursday 8-9 p.m.
Hindustani Classical Voice Hindustani singing, coming from north India, is primarily focused on Khayal singing, a relatively modern style, highly improvisatory in nature. The Bandishes or compositions, mostly in Hindi language with a mixture of Urdu and other regional languages, uses different ragas and Talas in a wide range of tempi. The thematic content varies from pure devotion to romanticism. Training in this style of singing begins with the practice of scales, orientation of vocal technique, the study of Khayal and Tarana Bandishes in different tempi with their embellishments and ornamentations, and some of the semi-classical styles such as Thumri and Dadra. Instructor: Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik Beginner Group: Tuesday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group: Tuesday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group: Tuesday 8-9 p.m.
Popular Voice Instructor: Sanghamitra Chatterjee Beginner Group: Wednesday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group: Wednesday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group: Wednesday 8-9 p.m.
Sitar Sitar, one of the most popular North Indian string instruments, is long-necked and fretted. It is played with a wired plectrum, usually worn on the index finger of the right hand, while the left hand fingers run across the frets or pull the strings. Lessons combine advice on technique and intonation with the study of compositions in different Hindustani ragas and talas and their embellishments and ornamentations. Instructor: Hidayat Khan Beginner Group: Wednesday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group: Wednesday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group: Wednesday 8-9 p.m.
Violin Indian violin is quite different in tuning, technique, and tone from western violin. It is used to imitate the voice, playing compositions from vocal repertoire. Lessons dedicated to Carnatic violin combine advice on technique and intonation with the study of compositions in different ragas and talas and their embellishments and ornamentations. Instructor: Arun Ramamurthy Beginner Group: Monday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group: Monday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group: Monday 8-9 p.m.
Harmonium Harmonium is an acoustic keyboard with a wind chamber and keys. While one hand is engaged in bellowing air into the chamber, the other hand plays the keyboard. It is primarily used in Hindustani classical music and non-classical music. Lessons dedicated to the study Hindustani repertoire combine advice on technique with the study of compositions in different ragas and talas and their embellishments and ornamentations. Instructor: Kedar Naphade Beginner Group: Saturday 9-10 a.m. Intermediate Group: Saturday 10-11 a.m. Advanced Group: Saturday 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Bansuri Flute This Indian bamboo flute comes in different sizes, according to the tonic. Lessons are dedicated to the study Hindustani repertoire and combine advice on technique and intonation with the study of compositions in different ragas and talas and their embellishments and ornamentations. Instructor: Steve Gorn Beginner Group: TBD Intermediate Group: TBD Advanced Group: TBD Tabla This two-piece kettledrum with a high and low represents the North Indian rhythmic system. Tabla are played simultaneously with the fingers and palms of both hands producing a variety of tones and intricate rhythmic patterns. Lessons combine advice on technique and intonation with the study of rhythmic compositions in the context of different Hindustani rhythmic cycles. Instructor: Dibyarka Chatterjee Beginner Group: Wednesday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group: Wednesday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group: Wednesday 8-9 p.m. Private lessons with Samir Chatterjee are also available. Call to inquire.
Mridangam Mridangam is a barrel-shaped drum with a high and a low end and is played simultaneously at both ends with fingers and palms producing a variety of tones and intricate rhythmic patterns. It is the key representative of the Carnatic rhythmic system. Lessons combine advice on technique and intonation with the study of rhythmic compositions in the context of different Carnatic rhythmic cycles. Instructor: Kumar Kanthan Beginner Group: Friday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group: Friday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group: Friday 8-9 p.m. Indian Rhythm Class Study one of the most advanced and sophisticated systems in the world. A unique blend of complexity and beauty, its ancient concepts are kept alive through regular practice, while the integration of new ideas keep it fresh and vibrant. Numerical and other innovative methods are adopted in teaching the principles and compositions from North and South Indian traditions. Participants learn to apply the principles to create their own compositions through harmonic progression. The class is open to all students of music, regardless of instrument. This is a unique opportunity for analytical study of Indian rhythm without having to study an Indian instrument. Instructor: Samir Chatterjee Group class: Tuesday 4-5 p.m. Tuition: $300 semester
Fusion Dance Ages 13-Adult: Thursdays, 7:50-8:45 p.m. Experience African, Modern, Hip Hop, and Creative Dance in an exciting format. Professional dancer and Mason Gross faculty member, Kimani Fowlin, guides her classes in creating dances to polyrhythmic music that inspires and invigorates, with live musicians accompanying on various percussion instruments and African drums. Participants get a complete workout while learning simple movement combinations. Special focus is given to rhythm and bringing out the individuality of each performer. Tuition per semester: $255 for first family member, $50 discount for additional family members!
Indian Classical Dance Tuition: $395 per semester Beginner Group: Wednesday from 6-7 p.m. Study one of the oldest styles of Indian classical dance with Ms. Sudha Devulapalli. Bharathanatyam, originating from the temples, is practiced mostly in the southern part of India and the songs are based on the Carnatic style of music. The elaborate and gorgeous costume is based on Sari, Jewelry, flowers and a light ankle bell. The technical expertise is embalmed in the overall act of expression highlighting ‘Bhakti’ or devotion.
Advanced Class on Abhinaya, the Art of Mime and Expression Saturdays 10-11 a.m. Celebrated dancer from India, Ms. Ramya Ramnarayan offers a unique, specialized class focusing on Abhinaya. Abhinaya is an inseparable component of Natya, the ancient Indian system of dramaturgy. The word Abhinaya means to carry the spectator towards the meaning of a poem or song. Abhinaya can be called as a vehicle of Bharathanatyam through which the onlooker experiences the particular emotions of the dramatic character and in turn leads him/her towards the ultimate bliss. Abhinaya does not imply just acting, miming or facial expressions. The term applies to all related aspects of dramatics which contribute in conveying the poetic content of drama to the viewers. Students are taught new Abinaya repertoire and the four major types of Abhinaya, (Angika, Vacika, Aharya and Sattvika) are introduced in this course. Dancers are chosen by audition. Five years consistent dance training in Bharathanatyam recommended.
Kathak Beginner Group: Monday 6-7 p.m. Intermediate Group: Monday 7-8 p.m. Advanced Group: Monday 8-9 p.m. Kathak is the dance-art of story-telling, originating out of the Mughal courts. It is practiced mostly in the Northern part of India. Its repertoire is from Hindustani music and the costume combines Hindu (long shirt/blouse on top of dhoti or ghagra) and Islamic traditions (long shirt or blouse on top of churidar), jewelry, and heavy ankle bells. The emotional range of the repertoire covers romance to devotion. This is a tremendous opportunity to learn from Ms. Archana Joglekar Muley.
Odissi Intermediate Group: Friday 8-9 p.m. Ms. Bani Ray instructs students in this classical temple dance from the north eastern province of Orissa. Its traditions have been carried through by the Devadasis, the servants of gods. The postures are adopted mostly from the sculptures of the Konark Sun temple. The songs in Oriya language are based on classical ragas using some rhythmic cycles typical of Odissi and some of the movements are spectacular.
Fall Semester: September 14-December 12 Spring Semester: January 25-April 24 Visual Arts courses meet in the Mason Gross visual arts studios located within the Civic Sqaure Building in downtown New Brunswick. Ceramics and sculpture classes meet in the Livingston Art Building in Piscataway. Sculpture: Human Portraiture in Clay (fall only) Thursdays 6:30-9:30 p.m. Create portraits in clay. Working from a live model, learn the fabrication of supporting armatures, two-part waste molds, cold-casting methods, chasing and surface treatment of casts, and methods of display. Study the role of portraiture and figure in historic and contemporary practice through slide presentations, readings, and studio work. No previous experience is needed. Instructor: George Ericson Tuition: $425 per semester Materials Fee: $65
Saturdays 11:50 a.m.-2:50 p.m. Create vessel and sculptural forms while focusing on basic hand building techniques. Participants use glaze techniques and explore a variety of firing processes from Raku to hire fire gas. Students also have the opportunity to use the potters wheel to create thrown vessels. The course includes a survey of both historical and contemporary ceramics. Instructor: Amy Hartmann-Ohlson Tuition: $425 per semester Materials Fee: $50
Introductory Photography Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Explore basic black & white roll-film photography. The course covers basic 35 mm camera handling, black & white film development, and printing black & white negatives. Class sessions include classroom lectures and technique demonstrations, as well dark room work time. Students are expected to provide their own camera and do most of their photography for class assignments outside of the Saturday morning class period. A 35mm single-lens reflex camera with some manual exposure control is recommended. Students are also required to purchase their own supply of black & white film and black & white printing paper. (Average cost for film and paper may approach $100). Instructor: Tony Masso Tuition: $450 per semester Lab fee: $25.00 This fee covers the cost of film and paper processing chemistry, and some miscellaneous materials. All About Color Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Explore the world of color using water based paints and ready-made materials. Discover how the eye synthesizes color, how colors interact with each other, what to expect when they are combined, and how to use a color wheel. Learn how to mix and harmonize colors while creating original paintings, collage, and assemblage. Develop basic color theory vocabulary, including terms such as primary, secondary, tertiary, hue, tint, and saturation. No previous experience is necessary. Instructor: Leticia Luevanos Tuition: $325 per semester Materials fee: $45 Drawing for Beginners Fridays 6:30-9:30 p.m. Learn basic drawing skills, materials, and ideas related to drawing. Students have the opportunity for creative exploration while forming a visual vocabulary through dialogue. Basic materials provided. Instructor: Brian Bulfer Tuition: $325 per semester Materials Fee: $75
Thursdays, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Learn basic painting skills, materials, color theory, and other ideas related to painting. Students have the opportunity for creative exploration while forming a visual vocabulary through dialogue. The course utilizes acrylic, gouache, and watercolor paint. Basic materials are provided. Participants will need to purchase additional brushes and paints from the instructor’s list of recommended materials. Instructor: Brian Bulfer Tuition: $325 per semester Materials Fee: $75
Publication Design Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (spring semester only) Become a more effective communicator. In our information age, the ability to produce newsletters, websites, flyers, posters, or digital presentations is essential. Participants learn how to organize information in clear, attractive, and compelling ways. InDesign is introduced as a means of producing well-organized publications quickly and efficiently. Tuition: $425 per semester Lab fee: $25 Software Essentials for Design Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (fall semester only) Learn the essential tools and procedures that designers use on a day to day basis. The course provides an overview of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign and how these programs interact with each other. The course covers the technical aspects of image manipulation, drawing, type, and layout. Tuition: $425 per semester Lab fee: $25 Papermaking Workshop to be determined. This course is for those who love beautiful paper and are adventurous enough to create it themselves. All levels are welcome to join in the fun and learn how to make and use this deceptively humble material. Professional artists can learn a new technique to enhance or incorporate into their work, and teachers can find a new way to engage their students in hands-on workshops. This course covers the basics of papermaking, both Western and Asian style, and many techniques are taught, including using stencils, painting with paper pulp, embossing designs, and embedding interesting objects and materials into paper. Papermaking involves lots of water so bring your boots! Instructor: Anne McKeown and Lisa Switalski, Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions Tuition: $325 per semester Materials: $45 Large Scale Digital Prints and How to Make Them Workshop to be determined. Large scale digital prints are produced by creating photographic transparencies. Learn how to use Photoshop and other digital programs to create the same kind of large scale digital artworks on our large format archival pigment printers. The class covers production of transparencies for all printing processes including lithography, silk screen, and etching. No software knowledge necessary. Instructor: Kathryn Lyness, Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions Tuition: $325 per semester Materials: $45 Photogravure and Polymer Plates Workshop to be determined. Learn the technique of photogravure, a true continuous tone photographic etching process developed in the 19th century and used by inventors of photography such as Henry Fox Talbot. Subtle and sensuous, it was also used by such giants as Alfred Stieglitz and Paul Strand and more recently Robert Mapplethorpe. The class develops etching plates from traditional photographs, digital-photographs, and hand drawn transparencies. The resultant copper etching plates are then printed in the classic intaglio manner, producing black and white images with a beautiful rich range of tonalities. This class also covers polymer plate etching, a wonderfully versatile and safe, non toxic medium that produces results akin to the finest etchings. Polymer plates are a nylon photosensitive material that can be exposed to a variety of transparent film media from hand drawn mylars that allow a wide range of drawing marks and textures, to photographic transparencies or combination of the two. After exposure, the plates are developed, etched in water, and printed on an etching press. They are often called solar plates because they can be exposed to the sun and then washed out in a kitchen sink at home. Instructor: Randy Hemminghaus, Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions Tuition: $375 per semester Materials: $45 Silkscreen Workshop to be determined. Learn the basics of water-based silkscreen utilizing photosensitive emulsion, monoprint techniques and stencils to create your own unique editions of prints. Students learn the essentials of setting up, color mixing, registration, hand drawn and digital film positives, and printing techniques. All levels of experience welcome. Ink, emulsion, and a selection of paper provided. Instructor: Kristyna Comer, Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions Tuition: $325 per semester Materials: $45
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Private Music Instruction
Indian Music 
Ceramics
Painting (Water Based)