Music and More Performing and Visual Arts Center

Flashback: Our production of The Little Mermaid at Music and More in the 2000s.

Student centered instruction continues to be our mission at Music & More Arts Academy because we understand how important the arts are to every person in our community. We've been working hard since reopening after the Covid lock-down to rebuild our children's theater program and continue to offer parents and young actors a wider selection of fun, quality classes and thoughtful, well-written theater projects that engage young minds in the creative process and challenge them to build an acting “toolbox” that helps them to explore their imagination, curiosity, self-awareness, and compassion for others in the world around them and then use self-discipline, resilience and courage to bring what they've imagined to life. Our theater arts students learn these new insights and skills every week and put them into action on stage in front of supportive audiences.

Our diverse group of teachers, directors and staff are aligned to Music & More’s mission and look for the full potential in every student regardless of race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation, age or disability.

Through the years, I’ve heard I have a different directing style than students are used to. In fact, I intentionally model myself after college professor and former director of CSUC’s opera workshop, soprano, Gwen Curatillo. For seven years, I watched Mrs. Curatillo navigate the challenges of being a female director in a largely male dominated college institution with more grace and charm than I have ever possessed. As a joyful, working artist she understood the importance of encouragement and giving space for co-creation. Because she engaged her college students in the whole process of bringing a show to life in a safe, structured, creative environment where our ideas were respected and discussion between student and teacher was encouraged, almost everyone in my college cohort has gone on to professional careers in the arts including the amazing composer and lyricist Tim McDonald who is a valued member of the MTI Jr series development team, directs iTheatrics in New York City and has written numerous adapted works for young actors. Because of those wonderful experiences in college, I always encourage young artists I work with to feel free to explore ideas and share their unique voice and funds of knowledge without fear of criticism. In that way, we can co-create a safe, equitable and engaging theater arts experience that truly includes and honors every member of our learning community.

I appreciate the artists and activists who continue to stay focused on a collective process of self-expression, truth-telling, healing, and social transformation during the last six, challenging years. Luckily, artists are resourceful and resilient individuals. As a fellow creator, I join my arts community in continuing to strive to bring forth positive and progressive change through my own work.

Historical Flashback: I think the location our theater family remember most fondly was the studio on High Street. With its location near Placer High School many of the teenage students would come over to the school just to hang out. The new location helped the school grow at a tremendous rate until we were offering music, theater and dance lessons to approx. 400 students with a roster of ten or more teachers. We expanded into a dance studio in midtown and soon had two outstanding performance groups, The Rugcutters and The Swinging Sweethearts choreographed by Debbie Goodwin. Because the cost of renting Placer High Auditorium for children’s shows was unrealistic, we built the charming outdoor Starlight Theater behind the school and then rented The DeWitt Center during the winter months. Luckily we were able to take over the lease of the DeWitt Theater.

Unfortunately, after many successful years on High Street, a winter of heavy rain and a flat roof with poor drainage resulted in our ceiling caving in and destroying most of our books, instruments and another grand piano. Luckily, we were able to move the entire school into The DeWitt Center and dance studio. The insurance claim and mold abatement took so long we eventually gave up the High Street house and remained in The DeWitt Center but gave up the dance studio during the later Recession and 911 disaster both of which impacted enrollment.

Our students loved the DeWitt Theater and we enjoyed many years there building our theater program and producing some of our most successful adult and children’s productions. Sadly, the county eventually decided to demolish the old buildings at the DeWitt Center including The DeWitt Theater. We fought to save the historic theater and our students appeared on the News and in government meetings urging the County to save the building. The county agreed to work with us but they required us to vacate the theater. At that point, our students were so upset about the loss of their theater building that we decided to move on for their sakes and find a new location. Efforts are still being made to save the DeWitt Theater.

Luckily, a large warehouse in the the Miyagi Gymnastics Academy building became available. We spent $15,000 rewiring the building to code for theater lights, building additional studios, carpeting and building a stage. We had brought the curtains and seats from the DeWitt Theater and so we began our next chapter on Olympic Way in North Auburn. Here are some photos from some of the productions at the High Street Starlight Theater and DeWitt

Historical Flashback: Music & More Arts Academy’s first location was on the second story of the building housing the Steve Fossum Karate Studio. Kay Coder had started her music classes in a home studio, but her young student list grew quickly and she needed a bigger space. Zoning was less restrictive in the 90s and the school built a stage in the back parking lot of the studio. A collection of fine, local musicians were drawn to the business and soon the school had a roster of music teachers using the space. Several musical programs and recitals were produced in the outdoor theater and at Placer High School Auditorium. Sadly, after several years, a fire burnt the entire building to the ground. The Coders lost their beloved school cat and everything in the building including their grand piano.

With the help of several parents we found a new school building in a commercially zoned home on High Street. Luckily Bootleggers owner and chef Ty Rowe was our neighbor and didn’t mind hearing our musical performances in the charming Starlight Theater we built in the back yard. Here are some archival photos of the first school location. It includes members of the first Auburn Community Jazz Band.

We begin our ocean adventure this coming Monday! Music & More Children's Theater is excited to announce auditions for our Little Folks Theater class production of "The Little Mermaid Kids" for young actors ages 5 - 12. The 12-week class starts Monday, August 3rd, 3:30 - 5:00 pm. Classes in the month of August will be held on Mondays from 3:30 - 5:00 pm. In September and October, classes will meet on Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

The audition process is part of the class experience. For the first two weeks, we will be learning theater basics, playing games, acting out short scenes and learning songs from the show in a fun, positive, low stress learning environment while our director chooses the perfect role for each young actor. Class fee is $380 (Includes Show Fee for materials and costumes). Registration is now open at www.musicandmore.net. For more information call/text 530-305-4627.

I'm excited about the fall semester at Sierra College. I am also accepting new voice and piano students this fall for private lessons at my studio and online. If you are interested contact me at 530-305-4627.

See my biography page linked below.
https://sites.google.com/view/michelle-coder-biography/home