Summer Camps and Programs 2024

 
  • Guitar 101 ♦ 3-day Camp ♦ Online ♦ Ages 13-17
    Register

    Section 3: June 11/12/13, 11:45a-1pm PDT
    Section 4:
    August 6/7/8, 11:45am-1pm PDT
    (Sections 3 & 4 are the same.)
    Cost:
    $45
    Max enrollment: 8

    Is guitar for you? In this hands-on, inspiring three-day online camp, students will gain a basic understanding of the guitar, its use in a variety of musical styles, and its potential as a tool for self-expression.

    We will begin by exploring how the guitar produces vibrations and sound, then explore a range of musical styles, music notation, chords, and improvisation. This wide scope is designed to introduce students to various musical interests for future study while building a solid foundation in the joy and accessibility music-making.

    Students will complete this camp with a working understanding of the guitar, the ability to play their first songs on the instrument, and a clearer sense of what future musical studies they might like to pursue in the future.

    Playing music is both fun and healthy. It can open doors to new friendships, boost confidence, promote emotional regulation, and serve as a lifelong tool for personal growth.

    This course is suitable for beginners only.

    Supplies needed:

    - A guitar of any kind. Please tune your guitar and make sure it is in working order prior to class. If you have questions about your guitar, email the instructor.
    - A computer with a steady wifi connection.

  • Guitar 101 ♦ 3-day Camp ♦ Online ♦ Ages 9-13

    Register

    Section 1: June 11/12/13
    10–11:15 am PDT

    Section 2: August 6/7/8
    10–11:15 am PDT
    (Sections 1 & 2 are the same.)

    Max enrollment: 8 each section

    Cost: $45

    Is guitar for you? In this hands-on, inspiring three-day online camp, students will gain a basic understanding of the guitar, its use in a variety of musical styles, and its potential as a tool for self-expression.

    We will begin by exploring how the guitar produces vibrations and sound, then explore a range of musical styles, music notation, chords, and improvisation. This wide scope is designed to introduce students to various musical interests for future study while building a solid foundation in the joy and accessibility music-making.

    Students will complete this camp with a working understanding of the guitar, the ability to play their first songs on the instrument, and a clearer sense of what future musical studies they might like to pursue in the future.

    Playing music is both fun and healthy. It can open doors to new friendships, boost confidence, promote emotional regulation, and serve as a lifelong tool for personal growth.

    This course is suitable for beginners only.

    Supplies needed:
    - A guitar of any kind. Please tune your guitar and make sure it is in working order prior to class. If you have questions about your guitar, email the instructor.
    - A computer with a steady wifi connection.

  • Summer Songwriting Intensive ♦ Ages 13–17 ♦ June 26–July 31 ♦ Online
    Register
    Cost: $350
    Early bird registration (before June 5): $310
    I reserve 2 pay-what-you-can slots for each cohort of each class, reserved for students with financial need. Contact me for details.

    6 Classes:
    Wednesdays, June 26–July 31, 5:00 pm–6:15 pm PDT
    5 Facilitated Song Shares: Saturdays 10:30am–11:45 am PDT June 29–July 27
    All classes are recorded.
    Weekly Office Hours for Questions (availability for 1-on-1 time): TBD dependent on student schedules
    Individualized feedback for students.

    Pairs well with the Youth Song Workshop, a free monthly song share event for teens.

    Max Enrollment: 10 students
    Additional sections will be offered if this course fills.

    In this immersive 6-week program, students will learn the fundamentals of songwriting by analyzing great songs from a variety of genres and creating, revising, performing, and recording 1–5 original songs.

    This course takes place online and includes six 75-minute classes, five facilitated song shares, personalized feedback on student work, and open office hours to provide one-on-one guidance and address questions. The song-sharing portions of this course foster a non-competitive, supportive, and inspiring group atmosphere for all students.

    Songwriting is one of the oldest art forms known to humanity yet also one of the most diverse, combining elements of music, storytelling, poetry, theater, and more. Songwriters tell history, imagine futures, empathize with characters, bring form and expression to emotions and experiences, and even make us laugh. There are as many ways to write a song as there are humans, but from the great songwriters we can learn tools to inspire and guide our own processes.

    By the end of the course, students will have navigated the entire creative process, from composing the first notes of a song to finalizing and sharing recordings. They will gain practical skills in home recording and complete at least one recorded song to share. Creative self-expression through the arts is empowering, healing, and can lead to greater self-understanding as well as new friendships.

    Prerequisites:

    Students should be able to play at least five chords on their chosen instrument. While piano and guitar will be commonly mentioned in this course, any instrument is acceptable. If you’re unsure whether your instrument is suitable (it likely is) or have questions about the prerequisite, please email the instructor. Students should have a basic familiarity with using a smart phone or computer.

    Supplies needed:

    • Instrument of choice, in good working order

    • A computer with a reliable Wi-Fi connection

    • A computer or smartphone with any Digital Audio Workstation (preferably the free software Audacity) and an audio recording capability. A working internal microphone on a phone or computer is acceptable. The instuctor will provide guidance about setting up a DAW after registration.

  • Introduction to Songwriting ♦ Ages 10-13 ♦ July 3–24 ♦ Online
    Register
    4 classes: Tuesdays 5:00-6:00 pm PDT, June 29-July 27
    2 facilitated song shares: Saturday July 13 and Saturday, July 20, 12-1 pm PDT
    Office hours:
    Max enrollment: 10

    Cost: $160
    Early bird registration (before June 5): $140
    I reserve 2 pay-what-you-can slots for each cohort of each class, reserved for students with financial need. Contact me for details.

    In this 4-week introductory program, students will receive a thorough introduction to the art of songwriting and form the foundation for a personalized creative practice in music. They'll learn the basics of creating chord progressions, crafting lyrics and rhymes, understanding meter, and exploring various performance and vocal styles. Throughout the course, we’ll look to masterful songs by other artists for inspiration and tools.

    This online program includes four 60-minute classes, two facilitated song share sessions, personalized feedback on student work, and open office hours for one-on-one guidance.

    Songwriting is one of the oldest art forms known to humanity yet also one of the most diverse, combining elements of music, storytelling, poetry, theater, and more. Songwriters tell history, imagine futures, empathize with characters, bring form and expression to emotions and experiences, and even make us laugh. There are as many ways to write a song as there are humans, but from the great songwriters we can learn tools of the trade to inspire and guide our own processes.

    The song-sharing portion of this course is facilitated with attention to creating a non-competitive, supportive, and inspiring group atmosphere for all students.

    Students will leave the course having navigated the songwriting process from first inkling of an idea through first draft, revision, completion, and performance. Creative self-expression through the arts is empowering, healing, and beneficial for mental and emotional health. It’s also a great way to make friends.

    Prerequisite:

    Students should be able to play at least five chords on their chosen instrument. While piano and guitar will be commonly mentioned in this course, any instrument is acceptable. If you’re unsure whether your instrument is suitable (it likely is) or have questions about the prerequisite, please email the instructor.

    Supplies needed:

    • Instrument of choice, in good working order

    • A computer with a reliable Wi-Fi connection

FREE EVENTS:

Youth Song Workshop (Ages 13-17)
A free, online song share and workshop event for youth on the first Thursday of every month.