RAPA summer campers prep for a production of “101 Dalmations.” PROVIDED PHOTO
When I was a kid, I never heard of summer camp. I played kickball, wrote and illustrated my own books, and tried to talk my mother into buying Kool Pops. Both of my parents were professional visual artists, so when I was drawing a character who looked more like an octopus then a human being, I could ask for guidance. It was like having a private art camp in my house.
Today, a multitude of summer camps are available in Rochester, covering all interests. And luckily for those kids who don’t have professional artists for parents, there are numerous arts-based camps to choose from as well. Summer is the ideal time for your child to sample the arts, with camp sessions offered for one week or a few weeks.
Here are a few options:
Music
Rochester and music are synonymous … and you can even experience Eastman School of Music as part of summer camp.
Eastman Community Music School
I know what you may be thinking: “Wow! The Eastman School? That’s pretty lofty!” And yes, Eastman does have a highly established teaching staff, and numerous famous musicians have walked their halls, but the Eastman Community Music School issurprisingly accessible.
“Excellence should not be confused with elitism: we give the highestquality education to students of all ages, abilities, and levels, and in return, hope that our excellence inspires students to match that quality with their effort,” said Petar Kodzas, assistant professor of chamber music and community outreach program coordinator.
The Eastman Community Music School offers residential and day-camp programs for students in grades 6-12. Non-residential programs includeInstrumental Jazz, Wind EnsembleWorkshop, and Electronic Music andcan be combined with University of Rochester summer programs. Residential programs include Eastman@Keuka (an international music program for students grades 6-9 at Keuka College), and Music Horizons, which offers the “taste of college” for advanced high-school musicians.
Hochstein School of Music and Dance
Hochstein offers Arts in Action summer camps for kids ages 4 to 10. Children are not required to have previous experience. Each session has a specific theme and concludes with a performance.
Canalside Music Together
Canalside is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program with a six-week summer semester filled with singing, dancing, and learning.
“We’re research-based, so we know our stuff and we’re good at what we do,” said Esther Winter, owner and center director. “But we’re also down-to-earth, accessible, and all about having a good time. It’s a balance that makes us both serious and fun. We’re serious about having fun!”
Dance
Does your child tap dance on your kitchen counter? Pirouette while brushing their teeth? Do the Dolphin in the reception area of the dentist’s office? Well, read on.
Garth Fagan Dance’s 2017 Summer Movement Institute
The Tony Award-winning Garth Fagan and his dance troupe have performed throughout the world yet still offer a summer workshop right here in Rochester. The workshop includes classes in technique, dance philosophy, composition, and repertory for students ages 13 and up.
Theater
Is your child a bit of a ham? Does she create costumes out of bed sheets and the stuffing from inside your couch cushions? Channel that creative energy into an appropriate camp, or you might find that they’ve created a theater on the top of your car.
TYKEs (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy)
TYKEs KidStage at Camp Sisol offers kids entering grades 3 to 6 the chance to perform full productions over the summer. TYKEs programs are staffed by experienced theater professionals, including a choreographer and music director.
“We provide solid theater training so kids learn to be strong actors, but without pressure,” said TYKEs founder/director Freyda Schneider. “Theater can be hard work, but we present it in a way that’s truly joyous and enriching. In a matter of days, you can see kids’ confidence and self-esteem really soar as they master their roles.”
Drama Kids International
Drama Kids acting program is internationally known for its creative drama curriculum, geared toward children and teens. Choose from two Drama Kids Summer Camps for students ages 4 to 17 at either First Presbyterian Church in Pittsford (June 26-30) or RobertsWesleyan College in Chili (July 24-28). Half-day or full-day options. At the end of the week, campers will present a performance.
Webster Theatre Guild
The Summer Youth Theater Experience offers theater programs for children in grammar school through high school, focused on many aspects of theater including auditions, blocking, and acting. The camp culminates with finished productions based on grade level.
A Magical Journey ThruSTAGES Summer Camps
Performers in grades 1 to 12 have the opportunity to focus on their singing, dancing, and acting skills, while working as a team to create a final show together. Each camp session concludes with a full performance at STAGES, located on the fifth floor of Auditorium Center.
Integrated Performing Arts
Spectrum Creative Arts
Spectrum’s mission is to create exceptional learning experiences for individuals of any age and ability level. A one-week summer camp, titledCreative Crusaders, offers musical warm-ups, theater games, scenery building, and other fun activities. The final performance combines art, music, and dance.
RAPA
Summer programs at RochesterAssociation of Performing Arts (RAPA) include 40 performance opportunities, and every child, regardless of age, gets the opportunity to be on stage! All performances are held atKodak Center for Performing Arts, 200 W. Ridge Rd.
Cobblestone Arts Center
Through the “Celebration of Youth,” summer program, talented teens work alongside kids with disabilities, inviting them to participate in music, visual arts, theater and dance.
Writing
Writers & Books
If your child gets jazzed while reading, writing, or making movies on an iPhone, Writers & Books has summer programs for him or her. SummerWrite 2017 has close to 70 weeklong programs and workshops for kids ages 5 to18 that support the reading and writing skills kids learn in school.
“We have camps focused on The Magic Tree House and Mo Willems to Percy Jackson and Harry Potter,” said Sally Bittner Bonn, director of youth education. “We even combine cooking and horseback riding with creative writing. There really is something for almost every kid.”
Visual Arts
Wondering if you have a budding Pablo Picasso or Frida Kahlo in your home? I’ll give you a hint: if they started drawing on your walls with spaghetti sauce as a toddler, you probably have a visual artist on your hands.
The Memorial Art Gallery
The MAG offers summer camp programs for kids ages 6 to 12 in drawing, painting, sculpture, technique, and strategy.
Animatus Studio
Here’s an opportunity for your child to learn about animation — traditional, cut-out, and clay — taught by professional animation staff. Full-day camps are available on Wednesdays or Thursdays in August.
Flower City Art CenterYouth ages 7 to 10 can experience camps in ceramics, printmaking, and sketching and journaling.
To cover all the summer camps offered in Rochester, I’d need an entire magazine. As an artist who acts, directs, draws, paints, and more, I encourage you to sign up your child for one of the many enriching arts-based camps. Here’s to a creative summer!
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