group of students in small music ensemble performing

Performing Arts

Step into the spotlight or hone your behind-the-scenes expertise with a range of programs in Butte College’s Performing Arts department. Whether your passion is performing or production, we offer the tools and training you need to succeed in the fast-paced world of entertainment and media.

Programs

Program Name
Goal
Length
Flexibility
AS-T AS CA

Goal

Career or Transfer

Length

1-2 years

Flexibility

  • Main Campus
  • Online
AS-T

Associate Degree for Transfer in Film, TV and Electronic Media

The Associate in Science in Film, Television, and Electronic Media for Transfer degree creates a clear transfer pathway for students planning to complete a bachelor’s degree in this field at a California State University. Students completing the AS-T are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, though not to a specific campus or major, and will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer.

AS CA

Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement in Radio, TV and Film: Video Production

The Radio-TV-Film program provides hands-on training in media production using a four-camera video studio, digital video editing systems, and an audio production facility. Media and electronic communication are among the fastest growing industries, offering career opportunities in video and audio production, broadcasting, interactive media, and digital content creation. Certificates of Achievement in Radio-TV-Film strengthen job portfolios, support career advancement, and enhance employment opportunities in this dynamic field. With additional GE graduates can attain an Associate Degree in Radio, TV and Film: Video Production.

Flexibility

Plan on completing most of your coursework at Main Campus, since it reliably covers the bulk of what this program requires. Chico Center and Online only reliably offer a small piece of the program, so they can supplement but won't get you through on their own. Dual enrollment courses may help too, but availability varies by high school, so check with a counselor to map out your specific plan.

How this flexibility note was generated

⚠ AI-generated content can be wrong. This note was produced by Claude (Anthropic) by synthesizing the individual program flexibility statements in this cluster. Verify against the per-program reports before relying on it.
You are synthesizing a single cluster-level flexibility statement for a community college academic cluster (a group of related programs that share a department-page accordion).

CLUSTER
  Title: Radio, TV and Film
  Programs in cluster: 1

PER-PROGRAM STATEMENTS
  • Radio-TV-Film: Video Production (Certificate of Achievement):
      For this certificate, plan on being at Main Campus for most of your required coursework, since it reliably covers the bulk of what you need. Chico Center and Online only reliably offer a small piece of the program, so they can fill in a course or two but won't get you through on their own. If a lot of your high school's dual enrollment offerings apply, that can help too, but what's offered at your high school will vary, so check with a counselor to map out your specific plan.

WHAT TO WRITE
  Write 2 to 3 sentences — under 120 words total — that summarize the AVAILABILITY STORY shared by these programs. Most programs in a cluster will have similar availability — name the common pattern. Note distinct outliers ONLY if a program's availability story differs in a way that affects student decisions (e.g., one program is online-only, others are not).

  - Plain, student-facing language.
  - Refer to "the programs in this cluster" or "these programs" — don't list each program by name unless an outlier needs calling out.
  - If all programs share the same flexibility story, write one unified statement.
  - Do NOT list percentages, term codes, or jargon.
  - Lead with the most flexible/strongest availability and follow with caveats.
  - Refer to locations ONLY by official center names (Main Campus, Chico Center, Glenn Center, Skyway Center, Cosmetology Center, Online). NEVER use a city or town name — no Oroville, no Willows, and never "Chico" as a city. Write "at the Chico Center", never "in Chico" — even if a per-program statement below used a city name, do not repeat it.

OUTPUT
  Return ONLY the statement text. No preamble, no quotation marks, no markdown.
AS CA

Goal

Career or Transfer

Length

1-2 years

Flexibility

AS CA

Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement in Recording Arts

The Recording Arts program provides students with fundamental through advanced knowledge of audio recording techniques and applications. Students gain hands-on experience with professional recording studio equipment while learning audio theory, performance, and industry-standard recording software. Coursework includes tracking, overdubbing, mixing, and mastering through participation in recording sessions. With additional GE graduates can attain an Associate Degree in Recording Arts.

CA

Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Music

The Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Music is a practical curriculum designed to equip students with musical and collaborative skills, skills that are essential for success in the modern music industry. Students learn how to compose, arrange, record, and produce. Additionally, students learn how to navigate the music industry. This connected set of courses ensures students are not only artistically developed but also well-prepared with practical skills for the competitive commercial music landscape.

Flexibility

Both Recording Arts programs are centered at Main Campus, where you'll complete the bulk of your required coursework. Online can cover a few required courses in either program, while the Chico Center and Glenn Center only reliably offer a limited number of courses and won't carry your major coursework on their own. Meet with a counselor to map out your specific course sequence and confirm what's running each term.

How this flexibility note was generated

⚠ AI-generated content can be wrong. This note was produced by Claude (Anthropic) by synthesizing the individual program flexibility statements in this cluster. Verify against the per-program reports before relying on it.
You are synthesizing a single cluster-level flexibility statement for a community college academic cluster (a group of related programs that share a department-page accordion).

CLUSTER
  Title: Recording Arts
  Programs in cluster: 2

PER-PROGRAM STATEMENTS
  • Recording Arts (AS Degree):
      Most of your Recording Arts required coursework runs reliably at Main Campus, so plan on being there for the bulk of your major classes. Chico Center and Online only cover a few required courses, so they can fill in a gap here or there but won't carry your major coursework on their own. Meet with a counselor to map out the specific sequence and confirm what's running each term.
  • Recording Arts (Certificate of Achievement):
      Most of your required Recording Arts coursework runs reliably at Main Campus, so plan to be there for the bulk of your major classes. Online only reliably covers a few required courses, and the Chico Center and Glenn Center aren't reliable options for the major coursework, so you'd need to fill in gaps at Main Campus regardless. Meet with a counselor to map out the specific sequence you'll need.

WHAT TO WRITE
  Write 2 to 3 sentences — under 120 words total — that summarize the AVAILABILITY STORY shared by these programs. Most programs in a cluster will have similar availability — name the common pattern. Note distinct outliers ONLY if a program's availability story differs in a way that affects student decisions (e.g., one program is online-only, others are not).

  - Plain, student-facing language.
  - Refer to "the programs in this cluster" or "these programs" — don't list each program by name unless an outlier needs calling out.
  - If all programs share the same flexibility story, write one unified statement.
  - Do NOT list percentages, term codes, or jargon.
  - Lead with the most flexible/strongest availability and follow with caveats.
  - Refer to locations ONLY by official center names (Main Campus, Chico Center, Glenn Center, Skyway Center, Cosmetology Center, Online). NEVER use a city or town name — no Oroville, no Willows, and never "Chico" as a city. Write "at the Chico Center", never "in Chico" — even if a per-program statement below used a city name, do not repeat it.

OUTPUT
  Return ONLY the statement text. No preamble, no quotation marks, no markdown.
AA-T

Goal

Transfer

Length

2 years

Flexibility

AA-T

Associate Degree for Transfer in Theatre Arts

The Associate in Arts in Theatre Arts for Transfer degree (AA-T in Theatre Arts) is designed for students planning to complete a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts or a similar major at a California State University. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, though not to a specific campus or major, and will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer.

Flexibility

Theatre Arts runs most reliably at Main Campus, though some required courses aren't consistently offered there, so expect to fill occasional gaps through Online options. The Chico Center and Glenn Center support general education needs but don't offer the required theatre courses, and Online alone won't provide enough coursework to complete the degree. Meet with a counselor to plan your schedule.

How this flexibility note was generated

⚠ AI-generated content can be wrong. This note was produced by Claude (Anthropic) by synthesizing the individual program flexibility statements in this cluster. Verify against the per-program reports before relying on it.
You are synthesizing a single cluster-level flexibility statement for a community college academic cluster (a group of related programs that share a department-page accordion).

CLUSTER
  Title: Theater Arts
  Programs in cluster: 1

PER-PROGRAM STATEMENTS
  • Theatre Arts (AA-T Degree):
      For Theatre Arts, your required coursework runs most reliably at Main Campus, though not all required courses are consistently offered there, so plan on filling some gaps with Online or another location. The Chico Center and Glenn Center work well for your general education courses, but you won't find the required theatre courses there. Online can help with a small piece of the major, but it won't cover enough for you to complete the degree that way. Check in with a counselor to map out your specific schedule.

WHAT TO WRITE
  Write 2 to 3 sentences — under 120 words total — that summarize the AVAILABILITY STORY shared by these programs. Most programs in a cluster will have similar availability — name the common pattern. Note distinct outliers ONLY if a program's availability story differs in a way that affects student decisions (e.g., one program is online-only, others are not).

  - Plain, student-facing language.
  - Refer to "the programs in this cluster" or "these programs" — don't list each program by name unless an outlier needs calling out.
  - If all programs share the same flexibility story, write one unified statement.
  - Do NOT list percentages, term codes, or jargon.
  - Lead with the most flexible/strongest availability and follow with caveats.
  - Refer to locations ONLY by official center names (Main Campus, Chico Center, Glenn Center, Skyway Center, Cosmetology Center, Online). NEVER use a city or town name — no Oroville, no Willows, and never "Chico" as a city. Write "at the Chico Center", never "in Chico" — even if a per-program statement below used a city name, do not repeat it.

OUTPUT
  Return ONLY the statement text. No preamble, no quotation marks, no markdown.
AS CA

Goal

Career or Transfer

Length

1-2 years

Flexibility

AS CA

Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement in Fashion Merchandising

Courses in Fashion Merchandising introduce students to the inner workings of the fashion industry through a variety of hands-on experiences. The program emphasizes the business aspects of buying, distributing, and selling merchandise from manufacturing to the consumer, while also providing students with marketable skills in a short period of time. Because fashion is constantly evolving, career opportunities in this fast-paced and competitive field are diverse and rewarding. A 1-year Certificate of Achievement in Fashion Merchandising is available, and graduates can take additional GE to attain an Associate Degree.

Flexibility

Both Fashion programs in this cluster require combining locations, since no single site covers all required courses reliably. Main Campus and Online together provide the strongest coverage of major coursework, while Chico Center and Glenn Center mainly support general education rather than the core required classes. Meet with a counselor to build a course-by-course plan that pieces together what you need across locations.

How this flexibility note was generated

⚠ AI-generated content can be wrong. This note was produced by Claude (Anthropic) by synthesizing the individual program flexibility statements in this cluster. Verify against the per-program reports before relying on it.
You are synthesizing a single cluster-level flexibility statement for a community college academic cluster (a group of related programs that share a department-page accordion).

CLUSTER
  Title: Fashion
  Programs in cluster: 2

PER-PROGRAM STATEMENTS
  • Fashion Merchandising (AS Degree):
      Your Fashion Merchandising required courses aren't fully covered at any single location, so plan on combining options. Online offers the most reliable coverage of your major coursework, with Main Campus picking up some additional required courses; Chico Center and Glenn Center offer only a few required courses reliably, so you'd mainly use them for general education. Meet with a counselor to map out a course-by-course plan that fits your schedule.
  • Fashion Merchandising (Certificate of Achievement):
      Here's the honest picture for this certificate: no single location covers all your required courses reliably, so you'll need to combine locations. Main Campus and Online each cover some of the required coursework, but you'll still have gaps to fill from the other, and Chico Center or Glenn Center won't work for the major classes themselves — those are best for any general coursework. Meet with a counselor to map out a term-by-term plan that pieces together the required courses you need.

WHAT TO WRITE
  Write 2 to 3 sentences — under 120 words total — that summarize the AVAILABILITY STORY shared by these programs. Most programs in a cluster will have similar availability — name the common pattern. Note distinct outliers ONLY if a program's availability story differs in a way that affects student decisions (e.g., one program is online-only, others are not).

  - Plain, student-facing language.
  - Refer to "the programs in this cluster" or "these programs" — don't list each program by name unless an outlier needs calling out.
  - If all programs share the same flexibility story, write one unified statement.
  - Do NOT list percentages, term codes, or jargon.
  - Lead with the most flexible/strongest availability and follow with caveats.
  - Refer to locations ONLY by official center names (Main Campus, Chico Center, Glenn Center, Skyway Center, Cosmetology Center, Online). NEVER use a city or town name — no Oroville, no Willows, and never "Chico" as a city. Write "at the Chico Center", never "in Chico" — even if a per-program statement below used a city name, do not repeat it.

OUTPUT
  Return ONLY the statement text. No preamble, no quotation marks, no markdown.
AA-T AA CA

Goal

Career or Transfer

Length

0.5-2.5 years

Flexibility

  • Main Campus
AA-T

Associate Degree for Transfer in Music

The Associate in Arts in Music for Transfer degree (AA-T in Music) prepares students for seamless transfer into a baccalaureate program in Music at a California State University. This degree is recommended for students pursuing careers in music or music-related fields and reflects a commitment to the serious study of music in both practice and theory. The Butte College Music Department provides a strong foundation through instruction that emphasizes performance, academic study, and lifelong learning. Students completing Associate Degrees for Transfer are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, though not to a particular campus or major.

AA CA

Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement in Music

The Certificate of Achievement in Music provides students with a broad foundation in music, preparing them to pursue a variety of musical paths including performance, composition, and music education. Students develop performance skills through applied lessons and ensemble participation, supported by coursework in music theory and aural skills (not eligible for financial aid). With additional GE graduates can attain an Associate Degree in Music, which provides students with the technical and artistic foundations needed to pursue careers in music and music-related fields. This forward-looking program emphasizes performance, theory and composition, culture, technology, and business to prepare students for success in the modern music industry. In addition to courses in reading and writing music, students gain performance skills through individual instruction on an instrument or voice as well as ensemble participation.

CA

Certificate of Achievement in Music Theory and Composition

(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) The Certificate of Achievement in Music Theory and Composition prepares students to compose music in a variety of genres and provides a strong foundation for transfer into a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with a focus on composition. Students will develop intermediate skills in music theory, musicianship, and jazz idioms, along with foundational skills in arrangement, composition, and music for multimedia. Throughout the program, students will build a professional portfolio and enhance their resumes, supporting both academic and career goals.

Flexibility

Across these programs in the Music cluster, Main Campus is where required music coursework reliably runs, while the Chico Center and Glenn Center only support general education needs. Online coverage is limited, filling in a course or two rather than replacing in-person study, though the Music Theory and Composition certificate leans on it a bit more to fill gaps alongside Main Campus. Meet with a counselor to build a term-by-term plan, especially if you're combining locations or considering dual enrollment.

How this flexibility note was generated

⚠ AI-generated content can be wrong. This note was produced by Claude (Anthropic) by synthesizing the individual program flexibility statements in this cluster. Verify against the per-program reports before relying on it.
You are synthesizing a single cluster-level flexibility statement for a community college academic cluster (a group of related programs that share a department-page accordion).

CLUSTER
  Title: Music
  Programs in cluster: 4

PER-PROGRAM STATEMENTS
  • Music (AA-T Degree):
      For your Music AA-T, you'll need to plan on being at Main Campus — that's where all the required music courses run reliably. The Chico Center and Glenn Center only cover general education for this degree, not the music requirements, and online options are too limited to build your major coursework around. You can knock out GE breadth at other centers or online if that's more convenient, but check in with a counselor to map out your specific course sequence.
  • Music (AA Degree):
      Plan on being at Main Campus for most of your required Music courses — that's where the bulk of your major coursework reliably runs. Online only reliably covers a couple of required slots, so it can fill gaps but won't get you through the degree alone, and the Chico Center or Glenn Center work well for GE breadth but not for required Music courses. If dual enrollment is an option for you, keep in mind what's offered at your high school will vary. Check in with a counselor as you plan your schedule.
  • Music (Certificate of Achievement):
      For this Music certificate, you'll need to plan on being at Main Campus, where all of the required courses run reliably. The Chico Center and Glenn Center only offer general education courses, so they won't move you through the required music coursework, and online options only cover a small piece of it. If you're mixing in dual enrollment, keep in mind offerings vary a lot by high school. Meet with a counselor to map your schedule and confirm what's running each term.
  • Music Theory and Composition (Certificate of Achievement):
      For this certificate, no single location covers everything reliably, so plan on splitting your time. Main Campus offers the most consistent access to your required music theory and composition courses, but you'll still need to fill gaps elsewhere, possibly through Online offerings, which cover part of the requirements. Chico Center and Glenn Center work well for general education but won't move you forward on the required coursework itself. Meet with a counselor to map out a realistic term-by-term plan.

WHAT TO WRITE
  Write 2 to 3 sentences — under 120 words total — that summarize the AVAILABILITY STORY shared by these programs. Most programs in a cluster will have similar availability — name the common pattern. Note distinct outliers ONLY if a program's availability story differs in a way that affects student decisions (e.g., one program is online-only, others are not).

  - Plain, student-facing language.
  - Refer to "the programs in this cluster" or "these programs" — don't list each program by name unless an outlier needs calling out.
  - If all programs share the same flexibility story, write one unified statement.
  - Do NOT list percentages, term codes, or jargon.
  - Lead with the most flexible/strongest availability and follow with caveats.
  - Refer to locations ONLY by official center names (Main Campus, Chico Center, Glenn Center, Skyway Center, Cosmetology Center, Online). NEVER use a city or town name — no Oroville, no Willows, and never "Chico" as a city. Write "at the Chico Center", never "in Chico" — even if a per-program statement below used a city name, do not repeat it.

OUTPUT
  Return ONLY the statement text. No preamble, no quotation marks, no markdown.
CC

Goal

Career

Length

1 semester

Flexibility

  • Main Campus
CC

Certificate of Completion in Clothing Construction

(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) The Certificate in Clothing Construction prepares students for entry-level employment in apparel production companies, designer workrooms, and custom sewing studios. Students develop technical skills to bring creative concepts to life while building a portfolio that can support career advancement or further study.

CC

Certificate of Completion in Fashion Design

(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) The Fashion program introduces students to the inner workings of the fashion industry through hands-on experiences. This specialized program equips students with marketable skills in a short time frame, preparing them for a variety of employment opportunities while providing practical learning experiences.

CC

Mass Media Studies $_EscapeTool.xml($pTitle.value)

(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) Completion of this certificate introduces students to the study, writing, and production of media content. Students may choose the path most relevant to their career goals, including the study of television or film and the production of audio or video.

CC

Certificate of Completion in Single Camera Video Production

(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) Students develop career-ready media skills using a four-camera video production studio, digital video editing systems, and an audio production facility. With as little as one year of training, students can gain a strong foundation for transfer into various media majors at other colleges and universities. Career opportunities span television, film, video games, digital production, and electronic communications, and expanding technology continues to create high demand for skilled workers.

Flexibility

Most programs in this cluster require sticking mainly to one location for core coursework, but which location varies by program, and several require combining campuses or sections to complete all required classes. Fashion Design stands out as an outlier with no consistent coverage anywhere, so you'll need to check directly with that program before scheduling. Since patterns differ across these certificates, meet with a counselor early to map out the right sequence for your specific program.

How this flexibility note was generated

⚠ AI-generated content can be wrong. This note was produced by Claude (Anthropic) by synthesizing the individual program flexibility statements in this cluster. Verify against the per-program reports before relying on it.
You are synthesizing a single cluster-level flexibility statement for a community college academic cluster (a group of related programs that share a department-page accordion).

CLUSTER
  Title: Skill Builders
  Programs in cluster: 4

PER-PROGRAM STATEMENTS
  • Clothing Construction (Certificate):
      Most of your required Clothing Construction courses run reliably at Main Campus, so plan to be there for the bulk of your major coursework. A few required slots aren't reliably covered there, so you'll likely need to fill in a gap or two through another term or option as your schedule allows. Chico Center, Glenn Center, and Online can cover your general education courses, but not the program's required classes. Check in with a counselor to map out the specific sequence.
  • Fashion Design (Certificate):
      Based on recent scheduling, none of Butte's locations show reliable, regular coverage of the required Fashion Design courses—not Main Campus, Chico Center, Glenn Center, or Online. That means you can knock out general education requirements at any of these locations or online, but you'll need to check directly with the program about where and when the core Fashion Design courses are actually being taught, since the pattern hasn't been consistent enough to plan around. Meet with a counselor before you build your schedule.
  • Mass Media Studies (Certificate):
      No single location covers all the required courses reliably for this certificate, so plan to combine campuses. Online offers the strongest coverage of the required coursework, with the Chico Center a useful partial add, so you'll likely mix Online with in-person sections to fill the gaps. Main Campus and the Glenn Center cover little to none of the required courses, so they're better suited for general education than for the major itself. Meet with a counselor to map out a term-by-term plan.
  • Single Camera Video Production (Certificate):
      For this certificate, plan on being at Main Campus — that's where all the required production courses reliably run. The Chico Center only covers part of the required coursework, so you'd need to pair it with Main Campus to finish. The Glenn Center and Online can support general education but won't get you through the required production courses, and if you're a high schooler considering dual enrollment, keep in mind what's offered varies by school. Check in with a counselor as you plan your schedule.

WHAT TO WRITE
  Write 2 to 3 sentences — under 120 words total — that summarize the AVAILABILITY STORY shared by these programs. Most programs in a cluster will have similar availability — name the common pattern. Note distinct outliers ONLY if a program's availability story differs in a way that affects student decisions (e.g., one program is online-only, others are not).

  - Plain, student-facing language.
  - Refer to "the programs in this cluster" or "these programs" — don't list each program by name unless an outlier needs calling out.
  - If all programs share the same flexibility story, write one unified statement.
  - Do NOT list percentages, term codes, or jargon.
  - Lead with the most flexible/strongest availability and follow with caveats.
  - Refer to locations ONLY by official center names (Main Campus, Chico Center, Glenn Center, Skyway Center, Cosmetology Center, Online). NEVER use a city or town name — no Oroville, no Willows, and never "Chico" as a city. Write "at the Chico Center", never "in Chico" — even if a per-program statement below used a city name, do not repeat it.

OUTPUT
  Return ONLY the statement text. No preamble, no quotation marks, no markdown.
Department Performing Arts

Full Time Faculty

Ryan Heimlich

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Ayako Nakamura

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

David Elke

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Associate Faculty

Erin Horst

Drama Instructor

Kevin Muster

Drama Instructor

Holly Shippen

Fashion Instructor

Julie Demaggio

Fashion Instructor

Lori Riley

Fashion Instructor

Jeffrey Cooper

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Caroline Latham-Fairchild

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Erika Ray

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Robert Rogers

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Eric Peter

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Aman Cowell

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Ryan Davidson

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Luke Nicolay

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Christopher Wenger

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Christine Buckstead

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Chieh Huang

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Hesam Abedini

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Chiara Ferrari

Radio/TV/Film Instructor

Quinn Winchell

Radio/TV/Film Instructor

Jesseca Simmons

Radio/TV/Film Instructor

Ezra Lunel

Radio/TV/Film Instructor

Dakota Rose

Radio/TV/Film Instructor

Thalia Hollinger

Drama Instructor - Unit

Adriana Jimenez

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructor - Unit

William Hepworth

Music - Appreciation/Theory Instructo

Department Contacts

Office: ARTS 224
Department phone: (530) 895-2994
Contact phone: (530) 879-6148

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Department Performing Arts