The Art of Teaching, Summer Music Camp in Long Island and New Jersey

As we prepare for our music camps in Long Island and New Jersey at Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop, we always ask ourselves how can our teaching have the biggest impact on our students, and what makes for a great teacher? There are a few things that make Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop an amazing experience for our students.

1. We meet students where they are. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced student. It doesn’t matter. We meet you where you are and we push you 10 notches higher to a level you did not think was possible.

   2. Whether you are learning a song by Nirvana, Miles Davis, Taylor Swift, or Duke Ellington. We help you understand the harmony and how the architecture of the song, how it’s built. This gives you knowledge and the inspiration to not only learn and play the existing music, but also space to create your own music.

   3. Space and Nadia Boulanger. This is something that one of the greatest music teachers of the 20th century, Nadia Boulanger, gave to her students - knowledge of the structures and techniques used in great works of music in addition to inspiration, space, and encouragement for the student to then create his or own music. Seems like the art of teaching then lies in how to balance those two concepts - knowledge/analysis of music and one’s own creativity/voice. Finding that right approach then lies in the teacher’s awareness of where the student is in his or her development and what is the next step. Some consider Nadia Boulanger one of the most influential teachers after Socrates. She taught many of the greats of the 20th century, Igor Stravinsky (Rite of Spring, Firebird), Quincy Jones (Wrote and arranged for Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson…Thriller and more), Astor Piazzola the amazing tango composer who fused the music of Argentine with jazz, George Gershwin (Rhapsody on Blue), and many many other great musicians.

   Here is a great article on Nadia Boulanger that just came out from the BBC.

2. Making music is fun, especially when playing with your friends! Let’s face it, people learn from teachers but they also learn from their friends and peers. It’s that synergy, that group energy when you are making music with others that makes the whole experience fun and fulfilling. After all, this is summer! At Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop in Long Isand and New Jersey, we don’t see ourselves as some sort of school….we see ourselves as an enrichment experience where students can be 100% themselves, learn a ton, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.

Here are some of the musicians who were influenced by the great teacher Nadia Boulanger. Herbie Hancock and orchestra playing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Stravinsky (Firebird)

Astor Piazzolla (Libertango, played here with To To Ma)

Quincy Jones (Wrote/Arranged music for Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and many others)

It's All About Your Sound, Music Camp in Long Island and New Jersey

In Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop our music summer camp in Long Island, Bridgehampton, and Lebanon, New Jersey, we focus on what makes a great sound on your instrument. Whether you are a pianist, guitarist, drummer, singer, or whatever your instrument is, your sound is your what makes your music unique to you.

Often times many teachers will focus on the “what.” This is the scale that works over this harmony, and that is something we need to know, but there is something more important than that, your sound. Your sound or your voice on your instrument is what draws the listener closer to the music. It is something unique to you and something that should be developed side by side with learning music techniques, harmony, and rhythm.

So how does one work on one’s sound? For wind instruments, saxophone, flute, trumpet, etc…, you will focus on your breath and embouchure paying attention to things like vibrato, and your approach to how you play the note (legato, staccato). For pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers we pay attention to playing without tension, your attack (how you strike the note, thinking like a drummer), the position of your body and how that can change your sound.

Working on one’s sound is a process that takes place over time, and just having that awareness will help you create a sound that is personal and unique to you, a voice that expresses all you have to say in music!

Here are a few examples of musicians with distinct voices on their instruments.

The Premier Summer Camp in the Hamptons, Music, Art, Dance, Theater

If you are looking for a different kind of summer camp experience, and curious to explore the worlds of music, art, dance, and theater this summer, then you are in the right spot. In our fine and performing arts camp in the Bridgehampton we have 5 different programs, both day camps and adult afternoon classes, where you can explore and learn new skills while having a lot of fun along the way!

MUSIC - We have Rock Camp during the day, 9-3, where students will learn up to 2 instruments, will be in a morning and afternoon bands, have electives, and perform at an end of the week concert. In the afternoons we have adult lessons from 3-5, and a program called Jazz Workshop for those interested in the world of jazz.

ART - Our art program is called Diving into Art where students learn acrylic paining in our first week and in our second week explore watercolor painting. Like in music there are electives in the afternoon and there is an end of the week student art exhibit for friends, family, and the public. Adult classes are held 3-5 pm.

DANCE - Dance Intensive is structured as a hip hop workshop and meets 3-6 pm. It is led by Carlos Neto one of the leading figures in dance, choreography, and teaching in the world (Alvin Ailey, NYU, Broadway Dance Center). This is designed with students 12-18 in mind, beginners-advanced students welcome.

THEATER - Theater Workshop is a two week program and this summer we will explore the play/musical, Little Shop off Horrors. Theater workshop meets in the afternoons, 3-6 pm.

JAZZ WORKSHOP - Jazz Workshop is an afternoon camp for middle and high school students, college students and adults that meets daily from 3-5 pm. Students play in ensembles and learn the art and craft of playing jazz in terms of rhythm, harmony, and improvisation.

For More Info and Details, Check out our Site.

Theater Camp in the Hamptons, Theater Workshop

This summer in Theater Workshop in the Hamptons, our Theater Camp in Bridgehampton, we will work on the production “Little Shop of Horrors” which is a comedy built around characters who work at a flower shop and an unusual plant that has a mind of his own. While we will be busy working on our lines, the music, and production of the play, students will learn many concepts along the way.

Along the way to our performance, our actors will learn valuable skills in communication and expression, music, time management, self-awareness, concentration, and working as a team. You should join Theater Workshop because you have an interest in theater and because it’s just fun. That’s it, plain and simple! That said, you can be assured that throughout this amazing experience you will also gain many benefits along the way that will help you grow as a person!

Check out details on Theater Workshop

Summer Camp in the Hamptons, a Different Kind of Performing Arts Camp

Tucked away in Hamptons right in Bridgehampton, New York is a summer camp dedicated to students exploring the worlds of music, art, dance, and theater. Our summer camp programs are meant to nurture that inner curiosity for the arts and build it up with skills and inspiration. We want all of our students to learn and have a whole lot of fun with their peers along the way!

In Rock Camp students from beginners-advanced, have lessons on their instrument throughout the day, perform in two different bands, and have many electives. If music is not your thing, we have an art summer camp, Diving into Art which explores acrylic painting one week and watercolor painting the next. If you love to dance, we have an amazing dance camp in the afternoon focussed on hip hop with one of the world’s leading dancers, Carlos Neto. And if you love the stage, we have a theater camp called Theater Workshop which meets for two weeks in the afternoon and will present the musical Little Shop of Horrors. In addition, we have a jazz program in the afternoon for those musicians looking to explore the world of jazz.

All of our camp programs have an end of the week concert, art exhibit, dance recital, and a theater performance. We also have adult classes in music and art in the afternoon for very beginners-advanced students.

We look forward to seeing you this summer. Whatever your passion or curiosity is in the arts, we are here to help you dive in and come out on the other side with new found skills and inspiration!

Art Camp in the Hamptons, Diving into Art

Diving into Art, the premier summer art camp in the Hamptons located at our Bridgehampton, NY campus has summer camps and classes for artists of all ages. Our art director, Sophia Santarella, talks below about our art camp that explores acrylic and watercolor painting, each week ending in a “works-in-progress” exhibit for friends, family and the public.

1. What excites you about this summer and our art program Diving into Art in Bridgehampton, both our day camp and our late afternoon adult lessons (3-5 pm)?

I am excited to be engaging with students and building our own little community. The younger students have such a natural intuition towards creating art, It's wonderful to help students cultivate their own creative voice.

For the older students I am very excited to help them develop confidence and skill in art making. The hardest part of making art is getting started and creating freely. I am looking forward to facilitating learning through skill making that will cultivate artistic confidence in students!

2. This summer you will focus Session I (7/18-22) on acrylic painting and for Session II on watercolor painting (7/25). How does an artist change his or her approach with type of painting?

One's approach changes based on the qualities of the material. For example watercolor is known for its airy and transparent appearance, while acrylic is thicker and more opaque. Unlike acrylic, watercolor typically uses the color of the paper as the lightest color.  Working with watercolors requires patience as layering colors is important. Typically the approach to watercolors is working with your lightest colors first as your most transparent layer. From there each layer of water color becomes more opaque as you build up your darker colors.

When painting in acrylic you also work in layers. The difference in acrylic painting is that in this medium you work from dark to light slowly building up your highlights. It is an important distinction that dictates one's approach to each medium. Though there are exceptions to these rules, these approaches help develop strong painting skills in acrylic painting and watercolor painting. 

Summer Jazz Camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons

At Jazz Workshop, our afternoon music camp in Lebanon, New Jersey, and Bridgehampton, New York, we will learn many many songs in the jazz world. Let’s take a look at Blue Bossa which we could potentially checkout check out. If so, we would learn the melody, harmony and what scales work over which chords. The bassists would learn various bass lines in addition to working on soloing. Pianists and guitarists would work not only on the chords and improvisation but also how to play a montuno pattern. Horn players and singers would work on the melody, phrasing, improvisation, discovering horn lines, and much more.

The trickiest part of this song for many musicians is towards the end where there is a II-V-I to D flat major (E flat minor, A flat 7th, D flat Major 7th). Down below are various ways we would approach learning to solo over this section which works well whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced musician.

Hamptons Summer Theater Camp, Theater Workshop

As we prep for our production of Little Shop of Horrors in the Hamptons at Theater Workshop, our theater camp in Bridgehampton, NY, our music faculty is busy prepping the music for this one of a kind musical. While all of the music created by Menken is amazing, there are some clear favorites that come to mind. “Feed Me” is funny and really allows one of the main characters to show his true colors, and “Suddenly Seymour” is a stunning duet that arises when one of the main characters realizes the true character of Seymour. I am sure many more favorites will show themselves as we begin rehearsals.

The Premier Music Camp in New Jersey, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop

When you come to our music camp, Rock Camp or Jazz Workshop, in the beautiful countryside of Lebanon, New Jersey, you will learn to master your instrument, play with others, and have a whole lot of fun along the way! At the end of the week we have a concert for friends, family, and the general public, a concert that our students prepare all week for.

While the music will undoubtably be amazing by all our students, whether beginner or advanced, no concert you will ever go to is ever “perfect.” Mistakes happen onstage, many of which no one in the audience notices because they are so minute and the musicians recover so quickly. We tell students it’s ok if you make mistakes. The key is to keep your cool and quickly recover, get back on the horse so to speak. After all, we are all human and part of being human is that mistakes happen.

Here is a video of the great pianist Herbie Hancock talking about that and how he came upon a surprising realization after hitting the wrong chord in a performance. Click here to see the video.

You Be You: Music, Art, Dance, and Theater Camps in Bridgehampton, NY and Lebanon, NJ

One of the benefits for those that come to our summer camps and classes in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop. Diving into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop is that you are doing two things at the same time.

I once has a teacher that asked me what was a guitar. What is it? Well, it’s carved wood with steel or nylon strings, etc… The teacher shook his head, no, no, no. He smiled and said the guitar is a reflection of you! When you are studying to learn and master an art form this concept becomes more apparent every day. Through learning an art form you start to learn more and more about yourself. The second thing you realize is that while it’s important you work on your individual skills, it is also important to work well with others, to cooperate, challenge and support your fellow musicians, artists, dancers, and actors. These two ideas are not only important in the arts, but life in general!

Looking forward to seeing everyone this July!

Hamptons Summer Art Camp, Diving Into Art, Watercolor Painting

Our summer art camp in the Hamptons, Diving Into Art, meets in July for 2 weeks at our campus in Bridgehampton, NY. In Session I, July 18-22, we will focus on acrylic painting, and in Session II, July 25-29, we will focus on watercolor painting.

Watercolor painting is a whole world in and of itself, and paintings in this style give plenty room for the viewer to add his or her interpretation. This is definitely the case in the works of impressionist painters such as Monet, Degas, and Renoir.

An interesting technique to bring out different textures in your watercolor paintings is to use salt in the painting process.

Here is a short video demonstrating the process.

That Initial Curiosity and Fascination with Music, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons

What draws people to music? Where does that magnetic pull come from? At Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons we recognize that this kind of curiosity is a special thing. It’s a spark that we like to nurture, challenge, and develop though our lessons, bands, electives and performances. It’s a special thing because if you are surrounded by people who have a combination of knowledge and generous spirit, that spark will grow, grow, and grow.

Ray Charles talks about his first piano teacher and you can hear in his voice how that initial curiosity and fascination was nurtured and challenged to grow. Check it out.

Standing on the Shoulders of the Masters, Diving into Art in the Hamptons

In Bridgehampton, Long Island is an art camp where students learn the importance of standing on the shoulders of the masters, Diving into Art. The idea of learning from the masters is nothing new. Artists learn have always learned by modeling the techniques of prior masters in order to learn the fundamentals which ultimately act as a springboard for you to do your own thing, in your unique way. This concept underscores what happens in our painting classes at our camp Diving into Art. The week of July 18th we will explore acrylic painting and the following week of July 25th, watercolor painting.

We can see played out in the work of Norman Rockwell and Michelangelo's portrayal of the prophet Isaiah from the Sistine Chapel. Normal Rockwell adored the history of art. It is evident in Rosie the Riveter, the Saturday Evening Post cover of May 29, 1943.

Jazz Workshop Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey and Bridgehampton, Long Island

In Jazz Workshop, our afternoon camp in Lebanon, New Jersey (Hunterdon County) and Bridgehampton, NY (Suffolk County, Long Island) at our campus held at Acorn Montessori School, we will dive deep into the music and have a whole lot fun along the way!

Let’s take a look at a song by Miles Davis, “So What.” Not sure if we will decide on this one, but if so, this is how we would approach it.

• The Melody and Harmony. Horn players would learn the melody, pianists/guitarists would learn how to voice the chords, bass players would learn to walk a bass line, and drummers would work on swinging.

• Improvisation. We would talk about what modes and scales work you could use over the song, and then more importantly we would talk about phrasing. A great solo is like a great monologue…it’s not just the words or in our case the notes….it’s how one emphasizes notes, uses space, cadence, and how one brings out their individuality that really matters.

• Ensemble Playing. If soloing is similar to make a great speech, than ensemble playing is similar to having a great conversation with friends. We will talk and learn to play in a way where we are responding (as well as supporting and challenging our fellow musicians) thereby creating music that is greater than the sum of its part, music that is human, and sounds that connect with both your fellow musicians and your audience.

An Inner Confidence Rises Up, Music, Art, Dance, Theater Camp in the Hamptons

Through the years I have noticed an inner confidence emerge from students in our music, art, dance, theater camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey. Something happens when someone throws himself or herself into something and creates something that they never thought was possible.

When students arrive at our music camp, our art camp, our theater camp, and our dance camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey, there is a mix of excitement and maybe a bit of nervous energy. It’s amazing to see how this feeling transforms into a certain confidence that comes through performance and sharing your talents with your peers, family, and the public. It’s not showy…it’s a kind of quiet, inner confidence that radiates outward that’s built on accomplishments that they have seen through on their own with their fellow musicians, dancers, artists, and actors.

Music Camp in New Jersey

Tucked away in the beautiful countryside of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey is a music camp dedicated to inspiring musicians, beginner-advanced, to take their music to the next level. At Rock Camp and Jazz Intensive students have morning and afternoon lesson and play in morning and afternoon bands. Our goal is for students to have a fun and social experience while also learning to play music from a variety of angles.

At the end of the week students perform in a concert for their friends, family and the public where you will hear a wide variety of rock music (for those in Rock Camp) and for those enrolled in Jazz Workshop you will hear jazz from the 50’s through today. You will also hear students perform original music which gets musicians thinking outside the box and the intersection of lyrics/telling a story and song structure possibilities.

So if you are looking for a music camp in New Jersey that is both fun and inspiring, you are in the right spot.

Music Camp in New Jersey for Teens and Adults

If you have a passion for music then you are in the right spot at our music camp in Lebanon, New Jersey at Rock Camp (9-3 pm), Jazz Workshop (3-5 pm), and Adult;t Lessons (3-5 pm). We welcome beginners-advanced students.

In Rock Camp you will have a morning and afternoon lessons, morning and afternoon band, a whole bunch of electives in the afternoon, and you will be surrounded by musicians your age who share your interests. On top of that, our staff are all musicians pursuing their music and also love too share what they have learned along the way and teach at area colleges such as Rutgers University, Rider University, and Raritan Valley Community College.

In Jazz Workshop you will play in an ensemble, have lessons on your instrument, learn about harmony and how to improvise, and create original works of your own. Our teachers are all active performers in NYC, NJ, and regularly play festivals and concert halls around the world.

Call us at (908) 230-6079 to learn more……yes, we are old school like that, we love to speak on the phone, or you can email us at HMSRockCamp@gmail.com!

How a "Mistake" in Music Can Say So Much, Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Dance Intensive, Theater Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons

One of the benefits of learning music is you learn to adapt to change in the moment. Creating something whether its music, art, dance, or theater, you have to work as a team, and embracing change is part of that. This is something you will learn and experience at Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop in New Jersey and the Hamptons. The bass player may be rushing the beat a little bit, the drummer forgets the cue going to the bridge, an actor forgets a line, a painter makes a brush stroke he didn’t intend. What do you do, especially if it’s during a live performance?

Here is a fascinating video of the great pianist Herbie Hancock talking about making a “mistake” at the piano in a performance with the trumpeter Miles Davis. Herbie talks about cringing when it happened, but then he talks about how MIles Davis heard what happened and altered his notes to make his “mistake” something perfect. Herbie goes to say how this experience taught him to approach music and life differently. So good, check it out.

Summer Performing Arts Camp in the Hamptons and New Jersey, Music, Art, Dance, Theater

If you have a passion for either music, art, dance, or theater, we welcome you to our summer camp in the Hamptons, Long Island, or our campus in Lebanon, New Jersey. Our summer camps are for all ages (Adults, College, High school, and middle school) and include Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, Diving Into Art, Dance Intensive, and Theater Workshop. Wherever your passion lies, we have you covered, and encourage you to dive in and get inspired this summer.

Give us a call or email and we can tell you more, (908) 230-6079, HMSRockCamp@gmail.com.

• In Rock Camp students having morning and afternoon lessons, morning and afternoon bands, electives, and perform at the end of the week for friends, family and the public.

• In Jazz Workshop students perform in ensembles, learn to improvise, and understand how harmony works. Students perform a concert for friends, family, and the public.

• In Diving Into Art students learn acrylic painting in Session I (July 18-22, Hamptons) and Watercolor Painting (July 25-29, Hamptons). There are electives in the afternoon and each week culminates with a public exhibit at the end of the week.

• In Dance Intensive students engage in our hip hop workshop taught by one of the leading dancer/choreographers in the dance world, Carlos Neto (Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center, NYU). There is a performance at the end of the week for family, friends, and the general public. (July 18-22 only, Hamptons).

• In Theater Workshop students will perform the musical Little Shop of Horrors. This camp is two weeks long, July 18-22 and then July 24-28 in the Hamptons.

Summer Music Camp in Long Island

We have three amazing music programs for students of all ages at our music camp in Long Island: Rock Camp, Jazz Workshop, and Adult Lessons.

Rock Camp

This is what a day on Rock Camp looks like:

9 am - Morning Meeting. Everyone meets up outside for a short hands on workshop. One day it could on poly-rhythms from Africa, Cuba, or Brazil. Then next day, we may have a 15 minuet jam session where everyone takes out their instrument (we have keyboards for the pianists), and we learn a new song as a group. Another day, there may be our morning meeting be on acapella singing: This is also a time for everyone to socialize and for us to come together as a whole community.

9:30 - 10:30 - Lessons. You will meet with your respective teacher and have a lesson on your instrument. This may be a private lesson or you may be in a small group with fellow musicians. You may be new to music or you may be experienced. All the same, come as you are. This is a time to really dig and learn your instrument.

10:30-Noon - Morning Band. You will meet up with your band teacher and with your fellow students you will learn songs that make up Rock n Roll. That could mean music that was released last year to music from the Beatles. Rock is like a very wide umbrella and there are many sub styles under it….we get into most all of them. You also will get into songwriting and creating original music with your group.

12-12:30 - Lunch. Relax, hang with your new friends, eat, get your second wind.

12:30-1 - Play volleyball, play music with your friends on your own. There is a different outdoor activity every day.

1-2 - Afternoon Lessons. Here you can either study a second instrument or study vocals, or you can have a second lesson on your main instrument.

2-3 - Afternoon Band. Here you will be a new band, new teacher and different students from your morning band.

FRIDAY - CONCERT FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, PUBLIC.

Jazz Workshop

Our jazz camp in New Jersey and the Hamptons is meant for musicians who want to take their music to another level in terms of improvising, finding their creative voice, and making music with like minded musicians who love music as much as you do. We have an adult class, a class for high school musicians, and a separate division for our middle school musicians in our jazz camp which meets in July in the afternoons, 3-5 pm (July 11-15 in New Jersey, and July 18-22 in the Hamptons). Whether you are an adult, a college students, a high schooler, or someone own middle school hungry to learn, you will find a welcome home here at Jazz Workshop.

Adult Lessons

This is a program that offers private and small group lessons to adults looking to learn and instrument or an advanced musician looking to take his or her music to another level. The exact curriculum is designed around the interest and goals of the student.