Wildcat Performing Arts Academy
The NMU Wildcat Performing Arts Academy offers comprehensive training, mentorship, and exposure in various arts disciplines such as dance, acting, vocal training, and theatre production. By providing a nurturing environment for artistic development, we aim to equip students with the skills and confidence necessary for success in the performing arts and beyond.
Start Your Story with NMU!
Major for A Day - Fall 2026
Are you a high school student interested in studying music, art, theatre, dance, and more at Northern Michigan University? Join us for our Fall 2026 Major for a Day!
Participating Departments:
- Theatre & Dance
- Art & Design
- Communication & Media Studies
- Languages, Literatures & International Studies
- Health & Human Performance
- Music
Spend the day participating in hands-on workshops, learning from NMU faculty and staff, and hearing directly from current students about their college experience. You’ll also enjoy lunch in the dining hall.
Registration is OPEN NOW!
NORTHBOUND Dance Intensive
NORTHBOUND Dance Intensive
With NMU Department of Theatre and Dance and The Wildcat Performing Arts Academy
Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 8:30 AM-7:45 PM
Registration: $150.00
Take your training NORTHBOUND at the NMU Dance Intensive!
Designed for dedicated dancers in grades 6-12, NORTHBOUND offers an immersive day of technique, choreography, artistry, and professional exploration led by faculty and dance educators from Northern Michigan University.
STEP 1: Fill out the Registration Form
STEP 2: Pay the Registration Fee
STEP 3: Turn in your Required Forms
Participants will select the training level that best matches their experience and take part in six classes spanning ballet, contemporary, and jazz, with multiple approaches to technique and choreography in each discipline. Throughout the day, dancers will be challenged to strengthen their technical foundation, expand their versatility, develop musicality and artistry, and grow as confident, adaptable performers. MORE INFO BELOW!
Eligibility: Dancers entering at least 6th grade who have trained consistently in dance for four or more years.
This level is designed for dancers with an established foundation in ballet, contemporary, and jazz who are ready to deepen their technique and take on more challenging movement.
Participants should demonstrate proficiency in foundational vocabulary, musicality, alignment, coordination, and movement quality, and feel comfortable applying these skills across a variety of classes and choreography.
Eligibility: Dancers entering at least 8th grade who have trained consistently in dance for six or more years.
This track is designed for experienced dancers who are ready to push their training to a higher level and are seriously considering collegiate study in dance or a professional career in the field.
Classes will emphasize technical refinement, musicality, artistry, movement quality, advanced vocabulary, and the ability to learn, retain, and adapt to new choreography quickly.
OVERVIEW
8:30am - Check-In & Welcome Meeting
9:30am-1:15pm - Morning Classes
1:15pm-2:30pm - Lunch & Learn!
2:45pm-6:30pm - Afternoon Classes
6:30pm-7:00pm - Snack Break & Review
7:00pm-7:45pm - Closing Showcase & Awards
For more details, view our Intermediate and Advanced Tracks Schedule!
NORTHBOUND is also an opportunity to explore what comes next.
The intensive will include a Lunch & Learn session featuring insight into the dance industry, followed by a short showcase and faculty Q&A panel. Dancers and their families will have an opportunity to celebrate the day's work, connect with faculty, and learn more about opportunities for collegiate study and careers in dance.
Whether you are continuing to build your foundation or preparing to take the next step toward college-level training, NORTHBOUND is designed to challenge, inspire, and help you discover where your training can take you next!
OVERVIEW
8:30am - Check-In & Welcome Meeting
9:30am-1:15pm - Morning Classes
1:15pm-2:30pm - Lunch & Learn!
2:45pm-6:30pm - Afternoon Classes
6:30pm-7:00pm - Snack Break & Review
7:00pm-7:45pm - Closing Showcase & Awards
For more details, view our Intermediate and Advanced Tracks Schedule!
Jill Grundstrom (Jazz Technique and Progressions, Commericial or Team/Precision Jazz Choreography, Lunch & Learn)
Chris Houston (Commericial Contemporary Choreography, Commericial or Team/Precision Jazz Choreography, Lunch & Learn)
Karina Johnson (Ballet Technique and Centre/Across the Floor, Contemporary or Contemporary Ballet Choreography)
Bobby Pieranunzi (Musical Theatre Jazz Choreography, Lunch & Learn)
- Bobby’s career spans from CA to NY and many places in between, though home will always be the Windy City. MTW audiences may remember seeing him in Mary Poppins (Bert), The Pajama Game (Prez) or Never Gonna Dance (Dice Raymond). Broadway Tours: A Bronx Tale (Frankie Coffeecake), Bright Star (Swing, Dance Captain). Regional: A Transparent Musical (Len), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy), and CATS (various kittens) to name a few. Bobby began working at NMU in 2026.
WPAA Programming offered throughout the year:
- Wildcat Performing Arts Academy Intensive workshops and classes geared toward middle and high school students*
- These opportunities will have varying time commitments, from an hour long class to classes spanning a full day or full weekends as well as week-long intensive experiences.
- NMU TD Kids Pre-performance workshops geared toward youth ages 12 and younger
- An opportunity to engage with the company prior to the show, immersing yourself in the world of theater, dance, and music through interactive activities!
- Education Expeditions (School Outreach/Run-Outs)
- WPAA comes to your community: school, library, community center, theatre, find a space for us to join you!
- Doing a performance of a dance or theatre work with our students
- Providing 2-6 workshops encompassing theatre arts: dance, movement, voice, acting, production and more!
- Workshops can host up to 30 students per classroom/space
- WPAA comes to your community: school, library, community center, theatre, find a space for us to join you!
- Talk-back opportunities after select NMU Theatre and Dance productions
- Enjoy an after performance Q&A with the company and get to know the ins and outs of what went into a production!
Questions?
Email us at wpaa@nmu.edu