Summer Academy 2024: “Lights, Camera, Action!” was a fun-filled week of singing, dancing, and creating, centered around music from the movies! Students ages 7-16 attended classes divided by age to study music, acting, and dancing under professional instructors. They created set pieces, costumes, and props to use in their final performance of the week, where they each performed two memorized, choreographed musical numbers.
The oldest students created and performed their very own original musical, all in five days! Brainstorming plot lines and characters, writing a script, staging, and set and costume creation led to an outstanding performance at the end of the week.
In June 2022, the Academy hosted its first Summer session and in 2023, we hosted our second, “Music Mania!” . Over 60 children participated each year in a range of activities to enhance appreciation of and participation in performing arts.
Our 2022 summer kicked off with 33 children aged 7-10 in a program called “Mischief and Mayhem”. Over the course of a week the students prepared and memorized music, complete with dance and acting instruction. They also created their own set design and costume construction. The week culminated in a performance for family and friends.
In week two, youngsters aged 11-14 participated in “Best of Broadway”, learning genre appropriate repertoire. The week included preparing and memorizing their music and choreographed dance sequences. More rigorous instruction was given to these young people by the professional instructors. The week ended with a performance of the learned material for family and friends.
In the final session of the Summer Academy, children aged 5 & 6 enjoyed a “Singin Safari”. This safari themed program involved learning basic musical concepts through song, dance, musical games, crafts and movement.
A local strings instructor visited to play and discuss the violin, viola and cello. They explored different types of sound from drums, tambourines and creating a water xylophone.
In 2023, we hosted “Music Mania” and “Around the World, A Musical Adventure.” Students prepared and memorized two pieces of music, complete with choreography and acting instruction. They created set pieces and costumes, and the week culminated in a performance for family and friends.
“I LOVED Mischief and Mayhem musical theater camp! We got to sing, dance, and practice our acting skills. We even got to perform and make our own set. I had SO much fun - I can’t wait for camp next year! “
Sylvie, age 9
“I look forward to going each summer because it’s fun to sing and do all of the projects to get ready for our performance. The songs are super fun to sing. It’s cool that we get to sing, but we have dance and acting coaches too which makes it even more fun!”
Emily, age 8
“Summer academy was so fun! My favorite part was getting to do set design. I liked learning to play the songs on my piano after camp was over because we got to bring the music home. I also liked the performance at the end of the week for our families and friends. I definitely want to come back next year!”
Ilsa, age 10
“I loved all of the singing and dancing, but I especially liked the warm-ups for singing. They were really fun. The arts and crafts part was also a lot of fun. I loved painting a background for our performance. Summer academy really helped me to be brave when performing in front of others. I love to perform, but get a little nervous when I perform in front of other people. Camp helped me a lot. I definitely want to do summer academy again next year! I can’t wait!”
Brooke, age 8
“This camp was cool and I want to go next year! I liked the fun games we got to play and the snacks best.”
Henrik, age 8
“It was the best, best camp! I liked learning the songs and dancing! Dancing was my favorite part. Some of my friends from school were there and I met some new kids too. I loved singing the songs at the performance for my Mom and Dad on the last day.”
Petra, age 7
I LOVED Summer Academy. I had so much fun acting, singing and dancing. Not only did I have an awesome time, it made me believe in myself more and gave me the confidence to perform in front of people. I definitely want to go back again next year!
Etta, age 9
