The start of the 2007-08 school year marks the 5th Anniversary of the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center’s (Shubert) education program - a series of sessions that are truly one of Minnesota’s ‘best-kept secrets.’ To commemorate this momentous occasion, the Shubert announced the addition of several new educational sessions to its existing program.Using high-quality IP videoconferencing technologies, the Shubert brings artists into classrooms throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, creating two-way interactive, real-time teaching environments. This technology makes it possible for students and artists to see and talk to one another as if they were in the same room. This year, the Shubert is proud to announce the additions of multi-world, and Flamenco dancing to its already rich curriculum. The Shubert continually offers dance courses in ballet, hip hop, swing, modern dance and vocal and instrumental technique and master classes. The Shubert has also kicked off an series of Dance Career offerings where students can learn about the variety of careers available in the dance world by talking directly to these individuals.“The students think it’s great to work with an artist that is so far away and yet feels like he is in the room with us,” said Ann Newell, Music Teacher, Cleveland Elementary School, Fergus Falls. “We hope to take advantage of this opportunity many times in the future.”This year also marks the beginning of something entirely unique to students and teachers alike: Backstage Pass: The Business of a Rock Band. As a part of the Shubert’s ‘Follow the Creative Process’ series, and in conjunction with Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, this month long, online education program followed the Austro-American band Visions of Atlantis and Dutch band Epica on their North American tour and exposed the inner workings of what it takes to bring their music from concept, to album, to the stage. Anyone interested in the music business will be able to access the program, as it is presented through the Shubert’s Web site, completely free of cost. During the four week duration of the program, the program site received 126,064 hits and 7,168 participants from 51 countries.“From the 2005-06 school year to 2006-07, we’ve seen a 246 percent increase in registered sessions,” said Kimberly Motes, Director of the Minnesota Shubert Performing Arts and Education Center, “and we expect that number to continually grow with our additions of unique and creative alternatives for student education in Minnesota and Wisconsin.”