Summer Camps for Music Studios!
Summer camps are amazing fun for both in-person and online studios! The best thing - once you have the lesson plans, you can use them over and over in many ways! Here are some ways I have used summer camps:
1). traditional - groups of kids at my house for 3, 4, or 5 days in a row. Usually my limit is 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Hats off to those of you who do longer camps!
2) online - same thing - but on Zoom. Small groups of kids log on for successive camp sessions. In one case - I did an hour and a half session in the morning, had a break for lunch, and came back for 30-45 minutes in the afternoon. That actually worked well. In all of my online camps, students had an "at-home kit" that contained lots of goodies they could manipulate and work with during the camp!
3)one-offs. This was a great way to promote my studio in the community. I held small mini-camps for one morning at my house or a local park. Great publicity and community building!
4). collaboration- the first time I did an art/music camp, I collaborated with a local artist. She taught the art, I taught the music. It was great fun!
5). private lessons - I have used components from camps as a change of page in my summer private lessons.
6) group classes - in-person and online. If I need to emphasize a particular concept and want to have loads of fun - I borrow from a summer camp curriculum! If you have never done a summer camp, you cannot imagine the fun!
All of the camps I have written are studio-tested, some multiple times and in different settings!
Here are some of the camps that I offer:
What’s in it: An inventive, easy plan for a fun piano camp.
Who’s it for: I held this camp for ages 3-8. It can easily be adapted to older students.
Challenges: not many! Just gather your materials, your students, and have fun!
Young Picassos & Piano Players" is a flexible mini camp. This camp can be used with multiple ages and levels. Your studio can provide an original experience for children - whether online or in-person.
Use this camp for three consecutive half-days, or adapt as a theme for lessons during the summer. Make a group class for your students. Send as part of an asynchronous assignment. Enjoy the possibilities!
Day 1 takes us into the world of Pablo Picasso. Kids experience making art in a collage form, and learn what it was like for Pablo as a young boy.
Day 2 explores Wasily Kandinsky and the fascinating topic of synesthesia. Through music, art, and even technology - kids can learn how to relate color to their senses.
Day 3 tells the story of James Whistler, an artist who definitely did not always do as he was told! Stretching the imagination even further, children experiment with different media and foster their own creativity.
Along the way, kids can learn a solo piano piece or experience the joy of ensemble playing.
This camp has so much flexibility and innovation - I can’t wait to see all of the musical and visual art that comes from it!
What’s inside: a group lesson plan for elementary music students. Review quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, dotted half notes, and rests. Explore drawing bar lines, writing in counts, and learning time signatures. All this - while improvising and playing in a drum circle!
Who’s it for: Beginning students. It’s helpful if they have an understanding of the basic note values. If they are brand new, they could benefit from a quick overview before you begin.
Challenges: When teaching online, a teacher can benefit from practicing with students who are muted and unmuted, and watching their reactions. In-person teachers will want to make sure their groups stay together.
Welcome to the fun and excitement of a drum circle!
Whether you teach in-person, online, or both - this plan covers it all!
You can choose and customize this resource to fit what your students need. Best of all, you can use drum circles for years to come!
Here's what you will find inside:
resources and links to great materials
solid plans for beginners and late elementary/early intermediate students
variations for online teaching, and in-person groups
worksheets you can screen share, print, laminate, or use in a tablet
Up-level your group classes with this motivating and fun rhythm class!
What’s inside: a group lesson plan for late elementary or early intermediate music students. Review quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, eight rests, and quarter rests. Explore drawing bar lines, writing in counts, and learning time signatures. All this - while improvising and playing in a drum circle!
Who’s it for: Late Elementary or early intermediate students. It’s helpful if they have an understanding of the basic note values listed above. A quick explanation would be sufficient before the class begins.
Challenges: When teaching online, a teacher can benefit from practicing with students who are muted and unmuted, and watching their reactions. In-person teachers will want to make sure their groups stay together.
Welcome to the fun and excitement of a drum circle!
Whether you teach in-person, online, or both - this plan covers it all!
You can choose and customize this resource to fit what your students need. Best of all, you can use drum circles for years to come!
Here's what you will find inside:
resources and links to great materials
solid plans for late elementary/early intermediate students
variations for online teaching, and in-person groups
worksheets you can screen share, print, laminate, or use in a tablet
Up-level your group classes with this motivating and fun rhythm class!
Let me know what you would like to see in summer camp themes!
