Suzuki Summer Camp

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! All BKCM camps are 5% off until March 31st. Apply today!

Ages: 5-11
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Piano, Guitar
Dates: July 27-31
Time: 9-3 pm (Drop-off starts at 8:45)
Price: $990 per week

About BKCM Suzuki Summer Camp

The BKCM Suzuki Summer Camp is a joyful, immersive week of music-making designed especially for beginner and intermediate Suzuki students. Campers deepen their technique, strengthen ensemble skills, and build confidence through a carefully paced schedule that balances focused music study with movement, creativity, and play.

Our Suzuki-trained faculty work closely with students in small groups and masterclasses, creating a supportive environment where children are challenged appropriately, feel successful, and have a lot of fun. Throughout the week, campers make music together across instruments, sing, move, listen deeply, create original music, and participate in collaborative art projects that grow day by day.

This camp is rooted in the Suzuki philosophy of learning through listening, repetition, encouragement, and community. As Dr. Suzuki said, “Raise your ability on a piece you can already play.” Much of our work focuses on deepening pieces students know well, while also giving them new experiences playing and learning alongside peers.

Who is Suzuki Summer Camp For?

This camp is best suited for students ages 5–11 who:

  • are studying through the Suzuki method
  • are playing at approximately Pre-Twinkle through Suzuki Book 4
  • have at least one year of Suzuki study
  • are comfortable learning by ear and playing in Suzuki groups

Students in Suzuki Book 5 and above are encouraged to consider our Summer Chamber Music Workshop.

How to Apply

Students submit a short placement video as part of the application. This is not a competitive audition. The video helps us place each child thoughtfully and make sure the camp is a good fit. In some cases, we may recommend that a student wait a year or consider one of our other outstanding BKCM camps so that they can have the most positive and successful experience this summer.

  • Step 1: Using any smartphone device, record yourself playing an excerpt of any piece you play well. (2 minutes maximum)
  • Step 2: Upload your video and complete the application at the link below:
Apply Here

Suzuki Camp Faculty*

  • Shayna Dulberger – Bass/Theory/Early Childhood
  • Luis Mercado – Cello/Orchestra
  • Brian Thompson – Violin/Viola
  • Ty Citerman – Guitar/Composition
  • Weini Tekeste – Violin/viola
  • Emile Blondel – Collaborative Piano/Botany
  • Micah Herron – Flute/Early Childhood
  • Arthur Villar – Piano

*Camp faculty subject to change.

Parent & Caregiver Role

Suzuki learning works best when families and teachers are in partnership.

  • Parents or caregivers of 5- and 6-year-olds are required to stay on site during the morning Masterclass period.
  • Parents of students age 7 and older may drop off or stay to observe.
  • Clear expectations for behavior and participation will be shared with families in advance. Our goal is a safe, calm, and supportive environment where everyone can learn and have lots of fun.

Camp Highlights

  • Morning Gathering: Each day begins with the whole camp together. We sing, move, warm up with open strings and scales, share announcements, and get focused for the day ahead.
  • Masterclass: Students work in small, semi-private groups with Suzuki faculty on a polished piece from the Suzuki repertoire. Classes are grouped by instrument, age, and level, with a strong emphasis on listening, tone, posture, and musical expression.
  • Skills & Repertoire Classes: In these instrument-specific group classes, students strengthen technique, refine familiar repertoire, and build ensemble awareness through games and guided repetition.
  • Rhythm & Music Games: A daily, hands-on rhythm class builds pulse, coordination, and internal counting through chanting, clapping, movement, and layered rhythm activities. These skills support both ensemble playing and improvisation.
  • Creative Music Lab: Campers explore improvisation, composition, and listening in age-appropriate ways. Older students may experiment with musical form and notation, while younger students engage through sound exploration and guided musical storytelling. Many students keep a simple music journal and share creative work throughout the week.
  • Ensemble: Intermediate-level campers participate in mixed-instrument ensembles, gaining experience reading music, following a conductor, and playing in harmony. Students may work on more than one ensemble piece, including a more advanced option for older students, depending on skill level.
  • Outdoor Time & Arts: Every day includes outdoor time and creative breaks. Campers participate in a collaborative art project that builds throughout the week, alongside music-inspired crafts and activities that get the blood flowing with movement.
  • Faculty Mini-Concerts: Faculty perform short, interactive concerts throughout the week, introducing students to new music and instruments and modeling joyful music-making. Families are welcome to attend.

Performances

  • Students have several chances to perform in a low-pressure, supportive setting.
  • The week is interspersed with a group concert and a solo recital, allowing each child to share what they have worked on with families in attendance to cheer them on.

Sample Daily Schedule

  • 9:00–9:30: Morning Gathering, singing, movement, warm-ups
  • 9:30–10:20: Masterclasses (Parents of 5–6 year olds remain on site during this time)
  • 10:30–11:20: Creative Music Lab or Rhythm & Music Games
  • 11:30–12:30: Lunch, outdoor time, and arts activities
  • 12:30–1:20: Skills & Repertoire Classes
  • 1:30–2:15: Ensemble, singing, or composition
  • 2:15–3:00: Faculty mini-concerts, student sharing, reflection, and closing activities

BKCM Summer Policies

If you have questions about fit, placement, or the application process, we are happy to help. Please contact us at summercamp@bkcm.org!

  • There are no refunds or credits for private lessons, camps or summer programs.
  • All registrations for summer programs and camps are final and there are no withdrawals.
  • A limited amount of financial aid is available. If you are interested in financial aid, please complete the application below.
  • For more info on summer policies, visit the link below:
Summer Policies
Financial Aid Application