UNCSA has announced details for its Summer Intensives in Dance, Drama, Filmmaking, Animation, Music, Visual Arts and more, held annually on campus at 1533 S. Main St.
UNCSA also offers summer day camps and evening classes for younger students and adults
during June and July.
Taught by UNCSA faculty and distinguished guest artists and reflecting the conservatory
rigor of the school’s renowned high school and undergraduate programs, the Summer
Intensives offer hands-on experience and performance opportunities with access to
the state-of-the art facilities and equipment at UNCSA. The Summer Intensives are
open to students ranging in age from 12 to adult, with most geared toward high school
students. Registration and audition scheduling (if required) is open on the UNCSA website.
Musical Theater Class 2019 / Photo: Lauren Olinger
“The students arrive to UNCSA from all over the United States and abroad with this
phenomenal energy and passion for their art,” said Cameron MacManus, interim director of the UNCSA Community and Summer Programs and director of the
Community Music School. “It’s amazing how quickly they adapt to the rigors of their programs, meet new friends
and seem at home on campus. The teaching faculty create experiences that elevate each
student’s individual artistry and collaborative skills and send them back to their
high school or college programs with new skills and fresh perspectives. I like to
think that UNCSA contributes to their journeys as artists and human beings in ways
that will continue to unfold for years to come.”
Dance Intensives
June 23-July 20
Summer Dance Intensives 2022 / Photo: Ashley Lindsey
UNCSA Summer Dance Intensives offer a range of concentrations and a holistic approach for serious students interested
in pursuing a career in dance. The programs provide personal attention from faculty
experts from the renowned School of Dance at UNCSA as well as performance opportunities.
“The intensives are a great steppingstone for students who are interested in pursuing
their high school and college dance education at UNCSA,” said Ashley Lindsey, director of UNCSA summer dance programs. “Each intensive is designed to fit the
needs of serious dance artists at any point in their training or career, providing
gifted emerging artists with the experience, knowledge and skills needed to excel
in their disciplines and lives.”
Contemporary and Ballet Intensives: June 23-July 20 (ages 12-18, audition required)
The Contemporary and Classical Ballet Summer Intensives are separate, four-week intensives taught by prominent School of
Dance faculty and distinguished guest artists. The programs offer a cutting-edge,
cross-disciplinary approach to ballet and contemporary dance. Dancers receive unparalleled
personal attention with a small faculty-to-student ratio. Classes offered include
technique, classical ballet, composition, improvisation, phrase work, repertory, yoga,
Pilates and conditioning alongside master classes in a range of styles including jazz,
musical theater, hip-hop and ballroom. Seminars and Q&As will cover topics including
careers in the arts, dancer wellness, injury prevention, mental wellness and dance
history.
Additionally, students ages 15–18 will have the opportunity to audition and work with
guest choreographers participating in UNCSA’s Choreographic Institute, who are among
the leading dance-makers in the contemporary dance world (choreographers to be announced
at a later date). The program will conclude with students performing new works from
their repertory classes.
Professional Studies Intensive: July 14-20 (15-25, audition required)
The Professional Studies Intensive offers a one-week deep dive into the creative process, teaching methodology and repertory
of some of today’s leading contemporary dance choreographers. Classes include improvisation,
repertory and new creations, alongside seminars and Q&As on careers in the arts, the
business of dance, injury prevention and mental wellness.
For the third year in a row, students will take part in the creation of a new dance
film directed and choreographed by UNCSA Dance alumni Lindsey and guest artist Grady Bowman of GXA Creative. Additional faculty for this summer’s program includes professional
dancer/choreographers Sidra Bell, Gavin Stewart and Brandon Cournay.
Drama Intensive
June 23-July 13 (ages 15-18)
Drama Summer Intensive / Photo: Lauren Olinger
The UNCSA Drama Summer Intensive offers the opportunity to train with faculty from the renowned School of Drama, ranked third in the world by The Hollywood Reporter, with a multidisciplinary approach to training for the
stage, film and television. Students will spend their days focused on fundamentals
of the craft: acting, dancing and singing, through two tracks: acting and musical
theater. UNCSA alumnus and television and Broadway actor/singer Wesley Taylor (“Only Murders in the Building,” “Smash,” “The Addams Family”) will teach musical
theater classes. Both tracks provide on-camera training.
“During the Summer Drama Intensive, students get a taste of what it’s like to train
in a real conservatory setting,” said Quin Gordon, Drama faculty member and director of its summer program. “In the acting track, we
help students explore their natural instrument, enhancing their ability to convey
stories effectively. In the musical theater track, singers learn to become captivating
storytellers. But beyond the skills, it’s about the experience of connecting with
fellow artists and forging bonds that endure long after the program ends.”
Filmmaking Intensive
June 23-July 20 (ages 15-18)
Filmmaking Summer Intensive 2023 / Photo: Janos Kovacsi
The Filmmaking Summer Intensive is a comprehensive, hands-on college preparatory program immersing students in all
aspects of filmmaking including screenwriting, cinematography, directing, producing,
digital editing and portrait photography. Students will develop their own individual
projects, serve in key crew positions, participate in screenings and offer feedback
on each other’s projects. They will use the UNCSA School of Filmmaking’s state-of-the-art facilities and equipment while receiving guidance from resident
faculty and guest artists. All projects developed in the program will be screened
in a two-day festival and compete for awards in 10 different categories. The program
is led by UNCSA faculty member Janos Kovacsi, an experienced director and screenwriter.
Animation Intensive
June 23-July 6 (introductory); July 7-20 (advanced) (rising high school freshmen –
college freshmen)
The Animation Summer Intensive offers both introductory and advanced programs exploring visual storytelling, storyboarding,
cinematography, directing, animation production, editing and sound design. Students
will gain hands-on knowledge of hand-drawn animation and 3D computer animation, with
individual instruction from our highly experienced professional animators and the
collaborative efforts of fellow student animators. Presentations and screenings will
delve into the history and fundamentals of animation while giving insight into the
tools and techniques of animated storytelling. Students will participate in critiques
and screen their own work for families and friends. Joe Lopina of the School of Filmmaking will lead the intensive.
Music Intensive
June 23-July 20 (ages vary)
Voice Summer Intensive 2018/ Photo: Lauren Olinger
The School of Music at UNCSA offers Music Summer Intensives taught by faculty and guest artists. Students receive one-on-one training and are
immersed in a supportive musical environment with state-of-art instruments and concert
halls, private practice areas, an extensive music library, and performance and demonstration
opportunities.
“The Summer Music Intensives serve as a conduit for budding and seasoned students
alike to transition into the realm of their professional careers,” said Saxton Rose, dean of the School of Music. “Countless alumni have leveraged these intensives to
build the confidence that paves their way to admission to UNCSA and prestigious music
opportunities nationwide.”
Summer Composition/Music Technology: June 23 – July 13 (high school freshmen – college
sophomores)
The Composition/Music Technology Summer Intensive is for composers with or without formal training who have already created their own
music but who want to expand their creative perspective and technique. Students will
study creating music for film, songwriting, and composing music for the concert stage. The
program includes individual composition lessons plus courses in composition techniques,
music technology, songwriting, music notation, recording, orchestration, harmony,
counterpoint ear training and improvisation. Taught by composer Michael S. Rothkopf, students in this intensive will create music using the latest digital technology
as well as work with live performers. The program is a great preparatory workshop
for students who will be auditioning for college and conservatory composition programs
in the fall.
Harp Intensive: June 23 – June 29 (ages 12 to adults)
UNCSA annually hosts the American Harp Academy on campus, led by UNCSA faculty member and Harp Department Chair Jacquelyn Bartlett. Harpists participate in intensive study with world-class performers and dedicated
teachers in a program designed to prepare harpists for competitions, auditions, recitals,
repertoire expansion and other artistic ambitions.
Organ Intensive: July 14-20 (ages 13-18)
UNCSA’s Summer Pipe Organ Encounter and Summer Pipe Organ Intensive, taught by UNCSA faculty member and Organ Department Chair Timothy Olsen, is a five-day, dual-track event that offers either an opportunity for young pianists
to explore pipe organs or an opportunity for young organists to further their knowledge
of the instrument and repertoire. The programs provide an overview of organ literature,
history, pipe organ construction and design, improvisation and other related topics.
Piano Intensive: June 23-July 13 (ages 12-25)
Taught by UNCSA faculty members Dmitri Shteinberg and Dmitri Vorobiev, the UNCSA Piano Summer Intensive provides a unique immersive learning and performance experience for both emerging
talent and seasoned artists. In addition to daily workshops and seminars, each student
receives two one-hour weekly lessons. Performance opportunities include weekly master
classes and on-campus concerts, as well as numerous outreach concerts scheduled throughout
the Winston Salem area.
Voice Intensive: June 23-July 13 (rising seventh graders – high school students)
UNCSA voice faculty, alumni and guest artists lead the Voice Summer Intensive through lessons, group voice classes, Alexander Technique, yoga, music theory, aural
skills, stage combat, drama and improvisation. Using varying musical styles including
classical art song, opera and musical theater, the course is designed to enhance technique,
build upon the singer’s existing foundation, and help develop complete artists and
singing actors. The program is directed by soprano Amanda Moody-Schumpert, an alumna of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute.
Visual Arts Intensive
June 23 – July 20 (ages 14-18)
Visual Arts Summer Intensive / Photo: Lauren Olinger
The Visual Arts Summer Intensive offers classes in drawing and design. Students will explore historical concepts and
practices and contemporary imagery through slide shows, lectures and library assignments.
They’ll also participate in classroom critiques and show their work in a virtual gallery
exhibition for families and friends. Design, taught by UNCSA High School Visual Arts faculty member Kaitlin Wilson Botts, is a studio course offering an introduction to the basic elements of design, helping
students develop visual problem-solving skills in a variety of media and sharpen a
sense of optical awareness and craftsmanship. Studies addressing line, value, proportion,
perspective, principles of design and layout are employed to facilitate artistic interpretation
and compositional control.
Assistant Dean and Director of Visual Arts Will Taylor will teach drawing, a studio course designed to provide students with a solid drawing
foundation, including elements of line, gesture, shape, value, texture, space, scale,
proportion, composition and perspective. Students will develop their ability to articulate
the ideas, options, obstacles and motivations that direct the drawing process. Assignments
and exercises will help students develop technical skills and broaden conceptual thinking.
Community Summer Programs
June-July (ages 3-16, plus adults)
Acting Out day camp 2019 / Photo: Lauren Olinger
UNCSA also offers summer day camps and evening classes for younger students and adults,
including:
Visit our community program summer pages for more information and registration for Community Summer Programs.
Visit our summer intensive pages for information, registration and audition scheduling for UNCSA Summer Intensives.
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