Adults and children alike will find something for them in our many summer camps, classes, and workshops. Our camps and boot camps provide weeklong specialized experiences in strings, piano, woodwinds, brass, guitar, percussion, jazz, rock, blues and more. And our Weekend Workshops provide an infusion of musical adventure in highly concentrated doses. In addition, we offer classes for all ages and abilities.
Camps, Classes and Workshops:
(Adults)
For adults with experience playing the blues guitar idiom, this advanced class will bring your guitar skills to the next level! With a heavy emphasis on improvisation and advanced forms of the blues, concepts covered will include altering and ‘dressing up’ the 12-bar form, using major and minor blues scales across the neck, use of chromaticism and arpeggios in soloing, soloing over chord changes, minor blues, chord and scale theory, reading and writing basic music notation, and transcribing blues solos.
(Ages 11 - 18)
An exciting, hands-on introduction to jazz for middle and high school students this summer!
Dig into jazz and learn what it’s all about! This week-long camp is a perfect introduction for students looking towards high school jazz programs or just curious about the nature of jazz. Spend a week learning the basics of improvisation with members of Levine’s expert jazz faculty. Students study jazz theory and history, and participate in coached ensembles. Each day will end with a Jazz Jam, and the week ends with a final performance, giving students an opportunity to use their new skills to jam with a professional rhythm section. All instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome.(Age 15 - Adult)
Audition season is coming -- are you ready? Do you have a school or career related audition coming up that you would like some help preparing for? Then this is the class for you! Our four-session crash course teaches you basic audition skills and techniques designed to help maximize the outcome of your next audition. With an emphasis on musical preparation, performer etiquette, and overall presentation, this class shows you how to audition at the highest level.
(Adults)
The perfect introduction to the blues for adult novices! Participants will learn the skills needed to join a blues jam/open mic or even just jam along to their favorite recordings. Concepts covered include the 12-bar blues form, the blues scale, basic 7th chord voicings and accompaniment patterns, picking, lead guitar techniques, working from simple music notation, chord charts and tab, and lots of improvisation.
(Adults)
It’s never too late to start learning the guitar! This is the perfect class for adult novices interested in starting a strong foundation on the guitar. Concepts covered include note reading, basic right- and left-hand technique, scales, arpeggios, and several beautiful songs. Participants need not have any previous experience or musical knowledge.
(Ages 7-12)
This class provides students with the opportunity to try out the harp before committing to private lessons and instrument rental/purchase. Using harps at Levine, students explore the instrument’s history, proper playing posture, hand position, and introductory technique. Students learn basic rhythm and note reading skills and develop a foundation for future private harp study. Prior music reading experience is not required although it is recommended.
(Teens and Adults)
This two-week intensive course is back by popular demand! Learn the basics of vocal technique and production that are essential for all vocal music. This class is ideal for complete beginners as well as singers who have had no formal training. Don’t be shy – come and find your real voice!
This fun and engaging camp is a great way for students who are interested in cello to get a head start on Fall, and discover the wonder of the instrument. Students learn proper instrument setup, technique, and simple repertoire in a group setting, and even participate in a final class performance on Friday!
(Ages 9-13)
Take your singing to new heights this summer! This choral music camp is offered, in partnership with the Levine School of Music, by Children's Chorus of Washington, the winner of Best Choral Group Award of 2012 Washington Area Music Awards, with instruction by Joan Gregoryk (Founder & Artistic Director). Students will experience the joy of choral music through a wide variety of repertoire including classical, folk, jazz/blues, and Broadway while developing proper voice technique and learning music theory. No auditions necessary; no prior experience required.
(Ages 14 - 18)
Now in its 9th year, join us for the best week-long workshop available to high school students in the area. You’ll participate in interactive workshops and rehearsals for clarinet choir, jazz clarinet, reed working, chamber music, master classes, Senior Regional workshops, sound production and more, plus a final concert. Added together, you will get an action packed week geared to the serious high school player!
(Ages 10 - 18)
Experience the electric guitar with Levine’s outstanding guitar faculty! Offered in two separate groups to accommodate students’ different experience levels – Beginning and Advanced – this intensive provides small group instruction for an hour, and joins together both classes for a large group experience for a second hour.
Note: Students should have their own electric or acoustic (non-classical) guitar. Amps will be provided.
More information and enroll online(Ages 9-12)
This engaging piano camp provides an introduction to piano for beginning piano students (with no prior piano experience). Students learn beginning piano technique, note reading, and active listening skills.
(Ages 9 - 12)
Designed for brand new singers, this introductory class will give young singers an idea about what learning good vocal technique is all about. The basic rudiments of singing are covered in a group setting. The class is a fantastic preparation for the Levine School’s Vocal Basics class, held each Fall and Spring.
(Adults)
This interactive three-day workshop is designed to give amateur jazz musicians of all levels an opportunity to expand their jazz experience under the direction of Levine’s expert jazz faculty. The workshop includes small and large group jam sessions, level-specific jazz instructional sessions, as well as an end-of-weekend concert. The workshop is open to adult jazz musicians of all levels and instruments.
More information and enroll online(Adults)
If you’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano, get a jump start! In this concentrated course, students acquire basic pianistic and music notation skills. During class, each student will have access to his/her own accoustic piano. A piano or keyboard is required at home.
(Adults)
The perfect birthday or Father’s Day gift! Take your playing to the next level with this intense rock 'n roll experience. Designed for all levels of guitar players, bass players, drummers and singers, you'll be matched with other like-minded musicians and receive hours of professional coaching with your group. Finish the class performing covers or original songs on stage at an area concert venue.
(Ages 13-18)
Designed for students with at least 6 months experience on their instrument, this class gives students the opportunity to rock out by exploring popular rock 'n roll music of the past fifty years, and possibly creating their own songs, in a coached, fun environment. All instruments are welcome, and each band will typically consist of guitarists (electric and acoustic), keyboardist, vocalist, bassist, and drummer. Topics covered include ensemble skills, song selection, chart reading, improvisation, songwriting, and performance skills. The summer session culminates in a recorded performance during the final class.
Note: Amplifiers, a drumset and an upright piano are provided. Students should bring their own instruments and other gear, as well as a notepad and pencil.
(Ages 11 - 18)
Dedicated to the specific needs of saxophonists ages 11-18, Levine's Saxophone at Strathmore summer camp has become an important and much-anticipated event for musicians throughout the DC metropolitan area. Take part in a fun-filled week of individual instruction, chamber music, and large saxophone ensembles, culminating in a final student performance at The Music Center at Strathmore.
(Teens and Adults)
Are your weak music reading skills holding you back? Are you "faking it" at choir rehearsal? Nervous about having to read music in an audition? Come and learn the basic building blocks of sight reading vocal music. Through the use of solfege, this class teaches you how to read the music you’d like to sing.
(Ages 15 to Adult)
Do you love singing and want to sing all types of music, but don't know how to carry your technique from one genre to the next? You are not alone. While some foundational principles of singing apply across many styles of music, there are also some signature differences in approach that make each genre unique. This class helps intermediate-level singers understand different vocal styles as well as develop a flexible technique that will allow them to perform music of different genres convincingly.
Private lesson experience is recommended.
(Ages 8 - 13)
Develop your ensemble skills in a fun-filled environment! This week-long camp is a great opportunity for violinists, violists, and cellists to make music together and learn from the area's leading professional musicians.
Prerequisite: students should be taking private lessons.
(Ages 12 - 18)
Develop your chamber ensemble skills in a fun-filled environment! This week-long camp is a great opportunity for violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists to make music together and learn from the area's leading professional musicians.
Prerequisite: string players should be taking private lessons.
(Ages 7-11)
The summer is a perfect time for a child to experience drumming for the first time. This week-long class will introduce older children to basic hand drumming skills, including rhythmic ear training and improvisation, in a fun and nurturing environment. Students can elect to continue their drumming experience in our Drums Around the World class, held throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.
(Ages 5-6)
The summer is a perfect time for a child to experience drumming for the first time. This week-long class introduces basic hand drumming skills, including rhythmic ear training and improvisation, in a fun and nurturing environment. Designed for young beginners, this class is a great introduction to our Exploring Drums class, held each Fall and Spring.
Levine offers private instruction year round in 22 instruments and voice – for the beginner, lifelong amateur, or budding virtuoso. Private lessons provide students with individual instruction with one of Levine’s talented faculty members and are geared towards the specific goals, needs and aspirations of each student regardless of experience or age. Lessons are availalbe in both traditional and Suzuki methods.
Work with your teacher to arrange your lessons around your summer plans! Packs for 4, 6 or 8 lessons are offered during the summer months.
(Ages 3 - 4 years without parent/caregiver)
Join us for fun this summer as we take a trip around the world and visit a different continent each week! We start our journey in week one here in North America, and then head below the equator to South America for week two. After that, we hop across the Atlantic to visit our friends in Europe for week three. Then we turn south to Africa in week four and then finally in week five we take a trip to Asia.
This class is the first in a series for young children designed for independent music making. Children playfully engage in a wide variety of musical activities, including singing, dancing, and playing basic pitched and un-pitched percussion instruments. Through musical stories, games, and activities, children will also be introduced to basic rhythmic and melodic concepts.
(Ages 4 - 12 months with parent/caregiver)
Join us for fun this summer as we take a trip around the world and visit a different continent each week! We start our journey in week one here in North America, and then head below the equator to South America for week two. After that, we hop across the Atlantic to visit our friends in Europe for week three. Then we turn south to Africa in week four and then finally in week five we take a trip to Asia.
This class provides a wonderful opportunity for babies and toddlers to discover the joys of making music as they participate in musical activities such as singing songs and lullabies, chants, simple finger plays, wiggles, bounces, listening and movement. Simple percussion instruments are used, such as colorful shakers, drums and bells, and concepts such as body/spatial awareness, numbers and colors are reinforced through musical play. Participants receive guidance on children's musical development, along with tools that support the creation of a nurturing musical environment at home.
More information and enroll online(Ages 5 - 6 years without parent/caregiver)
Join us for fun this summer as we take a trip around the world and visit a different continent each week! We start our journey in week one here in North America, and then head below the equator to South America for week two. After that, we hop across the Atlantic to visit our friends in Europe for week three. Then we turn south to Africa in week four and then finally in week five we take a trip to Asia.
This class expands on the musical foundation presented in the Exploring Music class*. More complex songs and games are used to reinforce and expand musical literacy concepts such as beat, rhythm, melodic form, harmony, and expression. Children develop musical independence through improvisation and learn to read basic notation as well as other musical symbols. Movement continues to play an important role, as circle games and line dances are incorporated.
* Please note that Exploring Music is not a prerequisite.
(Ages 4-5 years without parent/caregiver)
Join us for fun this summer as we take a trip around the world and visit a different continent each week! We start our journey in week one here in North America, and then head below the equator to South America for week two. After that, we hop across the Atlantic to visit our friends in Europe for week three. Then we turn south to Africa in week four and then finally in week five we take a trip to Asia.
This class reinforces and builds on musical skills introduced in the Adventures in Music class*, and introduces pre-notation for music reading. Children expand their musical vocabulary, pitch matching, and rhythmic abilities through songs, chants, and the use of pitched and un-pitched percussion instruments. They will develop listening skills, concentration, and a sense of timing as more complex and ensemble activities are introduced.
* Please note that Adventures in Music is not a prerequisite.
(Ages 1 - 3 years with parent/caregiver)
Join us for fun this summer as we take a trip around the world and visit a different continent each week! We start our journey in week one here in North America, and then head below the equator to South America for week two. After that, we hop across the Atlantic to visit our friends in Europe for week three. Then we turn south to Africa in week four and then finally in week five we take a trip to Asia.
This class provides a wonderful opportunity for a parent or caregiver and child to make music together as they participate in slightly more complex musical activities, including singing songs and lullabies, chants, finger plays, wiggles, bounces, listening and movement. Call and response activities are introduced as well as activities that encourage creativity and individual contribution. Simple percussion instruments such as shakers, drums, and bells are used to enforce the learning of steady beat. Concepts such as body/spatial awareness, numbers, colors, shapes, seasons, family, and animals are reinforced through identification games and musical play. Participants receive guidance on children's musical development, along with tools that support the creation of a nurturing musical environment at home.
More information and enroll online(Ages 3 1/2 -10)
Not sure which instrument inspires your child the most? Seeing, hearing and learning about the flute, guitar, violin, viola, cello and piano may help! Open to students 3 ½ through 10 years of age and their parents, this sampler class provides an opportunity for exploration through an introduction to a different instrument each day. In addition, parents are introduced to the Suzuki Method philosophy and what the Suzuki Package at Levine is all about. Please note: families interested in traditional instruction are also welcome.
(Adults)
Designed for the adult learner, this engaging class provides a survey of 19th and early 20th Century vocal music in its many forms, including opera, oratorio, art songs (lieder & chansons), choral music, religious music, operetta, blues, and popular songs. Music-reading ability is helpful but not required.
(Ages 12-18)
Ideal for students switching into viola for the school year! Designed for current violinists who want to explore adding or switching to viola, this three-week camp provides both group work and individual instruction through a master class setting. Students focus on technical fundamentals, including sound production, posture, and reading alto clef, and prepare to perform their first piece on viola at the last class session!
(Age 15 to Adult)
Valuable information for all singers! This unique one-day workshop covers facts and debunks myths of how the voice really works. Students learn easy steps for keeping the voice well, and more aggressive regimens to follow if the voice is sick.
More information and enroll online
