The Schedule, Summer 2023
Lebanon, NJ
Campus - Acorn Montessori School
JULY 24-28
• Rock Camp, 9-3 pm
AFTERNOON CLASS
• Jazz Workshop (Middle, High School, Adult Levels), 3-5 pm
Summer 2023 Dates for Bridgehampton Summer Camp for the Arts, Adult Classes
SESSION I, JULY 10-14
• Rock Camp, 9-3 pm
• Diving Into Art (Acrylic), 9-3 pm
AFTERNOON CLASSES
• Explore Ceramics, 3-5 pm
• Dance Intensive (Hip Hop Masterclass), 3-5 pm
• Jazz Workshop (Middle, High School, Adult Levels), 3-5 pm
• Adult Music 3-5 pm
• Adult Ceramics 5-6 pm
• Adult Dance 5-6 pm
SESSION II, JULY 17-21
• Rock Camp, 9-3 pm
• Diving Into Art (Watercolor), 9-3 pm
AFTERNOON CLASSES
• Explore Ceramics, 3-5 pm
• Adult Music 3-5 pm
• Adult Ceramics 5-6 pm
2023 Summer Dates Announced for Bridgehampton Summer Camp in Music, Art, Dance, Theater
Rock Camp, Diving into Art, Dance Intensive, Theater Workshop, Explore Ceramics and Jazz Workshop will be happening July 10-14 and July 17-21 in Bridgehampton for summer 2023.
We will be at our Lebanon, NJ campus July 24-28th.
Thinking of Jerry Lee Lewis, Playing With That Fire
So as a kid I took an art class in school at Albany Academy and the teacher was Jim Reed, a tall, skinny guy, with long hair, who kind of looked like Jim Morrisson from the Doors.
Jim Reed who was an amazing photographer, painter, and a phenomenal pianist. All of the walls in his room had painted designs and the ceiling as well. He had an upright piano in his room which had painted designs on the side and there was no cover so you could see the hammer and the strings. A few feet away he a record player.
I never learned much about art in those years, but I did learn to play in that room and later in Mr. Ellington's band class.
When Mr. Reed would play he would play standing up and his hands would be at an angle while his right foot stepped forward. His music had that fire. He taught a group of us, about 8 of us always surrounding the piano, how to play that boogie boogie style of piano playing that came out of New Orleans and was infused in that early rock n roll sound. We played along with Jerry Lee Lewis records as well as Ray Charles, Three Dog Night, Jimi Hendrix, and others. We even used to try and play backwards like Jerry Lee.
Turns out Mr. Reed was friends with Jerry Lee Lewis, and even opened up for him on the road.
He gave me a book about the pianist and encouraged me to keep exploring the music.
I later joined the school band and was lucky to have of the most inspiring teachers I'll ever know, Mr. Ellington, who introduced us to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Yes, and so many others....Ellington always gave us the keys to band room at lunch, and the world opened up. I started getting into other styles of music including jazz.
Sending a big hug to Jerry Lee Lewis, the great rock-n-roll pianist from Louisiana who just recently passed on.
Your music had that fire which sparked so many music lovers out there!
Rock Camp this Fall in New Jersey, Bridgehampton, and NYC
Excited to be teaching this fall in our afternoon ensemble classes after school. Whether you are a beginner with little to no experience or advanced musician, you will learn to play music that spans the many styles of rock music from its origins to what’s happening today. Students will perform a concert in December
Mondays in Bridgehampton 4:30-5:30 pm (Children’s Museum)
Tuesdays in NYC 5-6 pm (Midtown)
Thursdays in Lebanon, New Jersey (Hunterdon County, Acorn Montessori School), 4-5 pm
Give us a ring at (908) 230-6079, or email us as HMSRock Camp@gmail.com to learn more!
See you on the bandstand!!
Private Lessons & Classes in Music and Art
First off, I want to tell every student, whether you studied music, art, or dance, that we are all very proud of your achievements this summer! Watching each of you grow in your own unique way, was nothing short of amazing. You all worked hard, dug deep, and rose to another level which we all were able to see in your concerts, art exhibits, and dance recitals.
While our full day camp is over for summer 2022, we will be offering private lessons (1 hour long each) in music and art, and folks are also able to book ensemble classes (2 hrs) and art classes (2 hrs).
If you would like to continue your exploration into music and art, we are here, just give us a ring or email, (908) 230-6079, HMSRockCamp@gmail.com. We are here for you!
Last Week of Rock Camp & Diving Into Art, Summer 2022!
Well, It’s been an amazing summer so far. So proud of every student that has walked through our doors and the level of talent you have have shown in concerts, art exhibits, and dance recitals!
This is our last week for summer 2022, we look forward to seeing all you!!
July Music, Art, Dance, Theater - Camps and Classes in Lebanon, New Jersey and Bridgehampton, New York
Here is a run down of all of camps and classes in the Hamptons and in Lebanon, New Jersey (Hunterdon County) this July. Bands, Concerts, Lessons, Concerts, Art Exhibits, Dance Recitals, and much much more!
Open to ALL ages (adult classes in afternoon), beg-advanced.
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, (908) 230-6079.
A Unique Kind of Hamptons Summer Camp, 4 Things That Make Us Different
Tucked away in Bridgehampton is a very different kind of summer camp in the Hamptons, one that lets folks of all ages explore the worlds of music, art, dance, and theater.
There are 4 things that make us a different kind of summer camp experience.
This is summer! People of all ages have been in a routine all year - whether that is school or work - so it’s important that the experience be an inspiring, fun, and social experience.
All of our teachers are experts in their chosen field. It’s important to us that all of our teachers have 2 things: a love for sharing their knowledge and teaching, and they are working on their own art form, pushing it forward. Why is this important to us? It cuts down on the fluff and getting lost in theories, students move from point A to point B, very very quickly. It’s remarkable to see.
I want to come back to the social experience here. Creating music, art, dance, and theater is a fulfilling experience, but doing that with others, with new friends, your colleagues, your teachers, that makes the experience an inspiring one.
All of our programs have a performance or an exhibit at the end of the week. Students have to work together, and the deadline of a concert, exhibit, recital, theater performance creates focus. Seeing this transformation in every student is quite amazing.
Hamptons Summer Camp of the Performing Arts
If you want a different Hamptons summer camp experience, explore your interests in our summer camp in Bridgehampton in music, art, dance, and theater. Session I meets July 19-22 and Session II meets July 25-29. You will collaborate with inspiring teachers who are creators in their field, make friends, and have a whole lot of fun along the way. Let’s dive in …If you want to speak with us directly, just give us a ring (908) 230-6079.
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.
Music is a Language, Long Island Music Camp, Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop
In our music camp in Bridgehampton, Long Island, we approach learning music in the same way you learn to speak your native language. How is this done?
When we are all kids we lean to speak with words, then phrases, then complete sentences, and as we grow older find ourselves in situations where we need to speak in public to small and large crowds. Along with that we learn in a very intuitive way how to accent certain words and letters to express our ideas and emotions. To deepen our knowledge we learn to read and write and keep refining these skills throughout our life.
Learning music is the same thing. Here is a great video by the bassist, Victor Wooten, diving further into this idea.
Just as a child will have conversations at the dinner table, it’s the same in Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop in Bridgehampton, Long Island. You will play in multiple bands, you will have lessons, you will perform, you will interact with many different musicians (your age and older), and you will have many different teachers. With each teacher and student musician you interact with you will learn and get inspired in a myriad of ways.
So whether you a beginner or advanced musician, come as you are, and get ready to speak music!
Rock Camp and Jazz Workshop in Bridgehampton, Long Island, Starting From Your Comfort Zone
At our summer music camp in Bridgehampton, Long Island in the Hamptons, there are 3 things that serve as the bedrock of what we do:
Learning music.
Having fun and making new friends. This is summer, time to be outside and enjoying ourselves!
Moving out of our comfort zone.
The key to growth in music is a two step process
Start in Your Comfort Zone
Musicians come to us in our music camp in Long Island and New Jersey, with an interest and curiosity with music. We all are starting at different points in our development. One student never had lessons but loves singing along with music, another student had lessons at an early age, another student had lessons years ago and is now coming back to music. It’s all good. Come as you are, and we start from there. You wil be amazed at your growth when you are surrounded by supportive musicians and teachers.
Leave Your Comfort Zone
Whether you are a beginner or advanced musician, our job is to understand your strengths and weaknesses and then nudge you out of your comfort zone. How that is done exactly is really unique to each student. There is no formula, and this is really where the art of teaching comes into play. If someone is challenged and believes he or she can make that leap, he or she will. What inspires someone to make those leaps and grow? In my opinion, it’s a mix of new skills and self-confidence, a confidence that one gains through practice, rehearsals, and performances.
A Unique Experience, Our Hamptons Summer Camp in Music in Bridgehampton, Long Island
In our Hamptons summer music camp in Bridgehampton, Long Island, Rock Camp, students get a unique experience where they learn more than music. Our musicians - whether beginners or advanced students - are taking lessons in the morning and afternoon, play in a morning and afternoon band, take electives, and have whole lot of fun with friends along the way. At the end of the week we have a concert where our student musicians will all perform covers and original music, and reach heights they did not know was possible a week ago.
In addition to learning music in out Hamptons summer camp, students also experience…
Working as Part of a Team (Band) and Making New Friends
When you are in a band at Rock Camp in Long Island, there many important skills you learn in addition to the music. You learn the give-and-take and push-and-pull of working as a team with a common goal (getting along with others, sharing your ideas, expressing yourself, compromising). When you are in a band you have to work with your fellow musicians to create amazing music for a concert. What makes this a cool experience is that along the way you are having a whole lot of fun, making new friends, and you have teacher who loves to share his or her knowledge to make sure everyone is growing along the way.
Self-Confidence That Only Comes With Performance
Students in our Hamptons summer camp in Long Island, whether beginners or experienced, are transformed in a certain way as they prepare for the concert and finally perform at the end of the week.
Why is this?
Students learn to believe in themselves because as they build new skills, hour by hour, they realize, “Hey, I can do this!” As they practice their instrument, whether that is voice, piano, guitar, saxophone or any instrument, they realize, “Hey, I am improving. What seemed impossible is within reach.”
And when they reach a certain level of accomplishment in rehearsal and in performance, they understand in an intuitive way that if they can do this in music, they can probably do it in anything they put their mind to. It’s a quiet confidence that no one can give you. You earn it yourself and we make sure you reach your potential.
A Unique Hamptons Art Camp in Bridgehampton, Long Island
Whether you are studying acrylic art or watercolors with us at Diving Into Art in Bridgehampton this summer, we believe a strong foundation in drawing gives you the tools to find your own voice when it comes to creating art.
What does this mean exactly?
It means every morning we will learn to draw from a variety of perspectives, work on portraits and different techniques in drawing the eyes, the hands, facial expressions, and landscapes.
In our Hamptons art camp we will look at the masters artists such as Renoir, Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, Norman Rockwell, Goergia O’Keeffe, and others, and learn their techniques. A huge part of learning is standing on the shoulders of past and current greats, and in the process raising our game along the way. The ironic thing is that by focusing on this type of study, creating artificial boundaries to work on certain concepts, your freedom is expanded when creating your own works. If you would like to learn more about our fun and inspiring art camp in the Hamptons, just click here to our art page on our site. See you soon!
Working as a Team, Summer Music Camp in Lebanon, New Jersey
In our music camp in the hills of Hunterdon County in Lebanon, New Jersey, everyone works as a team to create music. Whether you are a beginner or advanced musician, you come to see that the whole is greater than the parts. It’s a special kind of synergy.
In lessons you learn to new skills and your technique and mastery of your instrument grows, but that is just part of making music. The other part is working together in bands with others on a project, creating and learning new music for the end of the week concert. What happens in that process? You build friendships with your fellow musicians. Your awareness goes up, in what you are playing and what others are playing. You build trust in your fellow musicians, and you work together to constantly make the music better and better.
In addition to teamwork, musicians come to understand the joy of expressing yourself with sound. We are all used to that happening with words and the written page, but that expression takes on another dimension when it happens in music, as well as the visual arts, dance, and theater.
Here is a great video that dives into how music is a language from bassist Victor Wooten.
Music, Art, Dance, Theater Summer Camp in Long Island...The Art of Warming Up
At Rock Camp and later in our afternoon Jazz Workshop in Bridgehampton, Long Island, we talk learn music from many angles. In today’s Grapevine post, let’s look at warming up. This is applicable for artists, musicians, actors, dancers, and artists. Click here to see all of our camps and classes this summer in Long Island.
Relaxing. I normally start out with major scales, playing around the circle of 5ths with one scale flowing into the next, up and down the piano. While I am doing this I am thinking of one thing - relaxing. I pay attention to my hands, fingers, shoulders, my chest, my breathing, my face, my feet, and legs. If I feel tension, I let the tension go. It’s a kind of meditation and just being aware of your body.
I also think about letting go of tension in my fingers and hands. Years ago, I injured my left hand after a long day in the practice room working playing 10th with my left hand, so playing C with my left hand pinky and my thumb play E just above the octave, all at the same time). I saw how the great pianist Hank Jones and others made this a part of their playing. Anyway, at the time the adrenaline was pumping and I felt great, I was straining, but so what…I played through it, as if I was at the gym. Bad idea. I ended up injuring my left hand and not being able to play from 3 or 4 months.
Stay Nimble. It’s like baseball or soccer…In baseball when you hold the bat and the ball is coming to you, your muscles are ready as you are about to swing. When you hit the ball though, you drop the bat and run to first base. All that muscle tension is released after you strike the ball, or if you are a soccer player after you kick the ball. When I play a note and when I get to the bottom of the note, the bed so to speak, I try to relax my finger and hand. This way I can stay nimble and ready to go in any direction at any moment.
I have to say that when I see videos of myself performing, sometimes I will see certain body movements and there may be some tension. I am still working on this concept myself! Nonetheless, this is a concept I try to work on every day so it stays top of mind. There is a whole technique, called the Alexander Technique, which takes this idea of letting go of tension to another level. It is also specific to your art form.
Bridgehampton Summer Camp in the Arts, a Uniquely Fun Hamptons Summer Camp Experience
At our summer camp of the arts in Bridgehampton we are dedicated to inspiring students of all ages who are interested in music, art, dance, and/or theater. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced artist, whether you are twelve, twenty, or eighty-nine years old, we are here to help you explore your interests and inspire you to learn new skills while hiving a lot of fun along the way. We have many students that come from all over Long Island including Southampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, and Sag Harbor.
If your interest is in music, we have Rock Camp from 9-3 pm, followed by adult lessons in the afternoon and our Jazz Workshop program. If you are looking to explore the visual arts, we have a painting program called Diving into Art. For one week students explore acrylic painting and in week two there is a program dedicated to watercolor painting. As with music, there are adult lessons in the afternoon from 3-5 pm. In dance students will learn hip hop/jazz and study with one of the prominent figures in dance, Carlos Neto. Lastly in Theater Workshop we will work on the production of Little Shop of Horrors, which is a comedy/musical currently playing on Broadway.
We look forward to seeing you soon! You can learn more about our camp and classes on our site and if you have any questions, just give us a call, (908) 230-6079.
3 Things that make our Hamptons Summer Camp in the Arts a Unique Experience
In our summer camp arts programs in the Hamptons, located in the heart of Bridgehampton, Long Island, students of all ages can choose from a variety of art forms and then focus on mastering skills in either music, art, dance, and theater. Here are 3 things that make our summer art programs different.
Students choose a specific art form to focus on.
If a student has an interest in music, art, dance or theater, he or she will study with master musicians, artists, dancers, and actors for several hours a day on that specific art form. Why this approach as opposed to a more general approach where students study a variety of subjects? It’s important to us that students gain concrete skills in addition to an inspiring experience. For this reason students perform in an end of the week concert or have an art exhibit or a dance recital or perform a play.
We are not school….This is Summer!
Our goal is for every student to have an incredibly fun experience AND explore their interests and come out this experience 10 notches higher in terms of technique, approaches, and inspiration in their chosen field of music, art, dance, and theater. We have a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. We feel that once students are having fun and making friends, the learning falls right into place.
3. Our Staff
So all of our teachers are experts in their field and are also busy pursuing their career in their chosen art form. Why is this important? In my experience, teachers who also performers/working artists generally can take you from point A to Point B very very quickly. They are practical. While they know theory, they are not lost in the clouds….because they know deadlines, and what it means to prepare for a recording, concert, art exhibit, play, or movie where one must learn new skills while also exercising time management.
A second feature the makes are staff special is that they love sharing their knowledge with others. We love seeing that light shine bright in students when they are inspired or understand a concept for the first time or perform in a way that they did not imagine was possible just a few days ago.
Dance Camp in Long Island, 3 Questions for Carlos Neto of Dance Intensive
If you love dance than you are in the right spot because at Dance Intensive in Bridgehampton, NY in Long Island, students reach a new level in terms of their technique, inspiration, and artistry with Carlos Neto’s Hip Hop Workshop.
Here is a mini-interview with Carlos Neto to give you a glimpse of what’s happening in Dance Intensive, our dance camp in Long Island (2014 Winner Outstanding Choreography NY Innovative Theatre Awards, 2016 Nominated Favorite Dance Teacher NYC by Backstage Readers Awards).
Dance Intensive, Summer Dance Camp in the Hamptons, Carlos Neto
1. What excites you about teaching Dance Intensive this summer and working with students who are either new to hip hop or who have experience?
It’s always exciting to meet new students in new areas specially those who are new to hip hop and street jazz. I’m looking forward to working with them intensively with enough time to build a foundation and create something special!
2. What is your approach to teaching, overall way of sharing your love of dance with others?
I enjoy teaching students more than just choreography or steps. I aim to give them a strong foundation that will allow them to grow at their own pace as well as serve them when taking other classes in the future.
I also believe it is very important to not focus solely on the dance but find the individual light within every student and push for their individuality and self confidence.
3. What are you excited about in your own work or projects you are working on or plan to start soon?
At the moment I’m part of a documentary about immigrant artists which will be shooting throughout the entirety of 2022. Very excited to see the final result. I’m working on a couple of music videos for 2 very special artists and also gearing up for the start of the new convention tour called Luminous.
Here is also a glimpse at Carlos’ choreography reel. See you in Dance Intensive!
Hamptons Summer Camp in the Arts
Our summer camp art program in the Hamptons is a fun and inspiring experience in one or more art forms - music, art, dance, and theater. You will explore your interests and make friends with your fellow musicians, artists, dancers, and actors at our Bridgehampton campus. Come as you are and study with top artists and teachers from around the country who love to share their knowledge and inspire students of all ages. Beginners-advanced students are all welcome.
DURING THE DAY
From 9-3 pm you can select from a variety of programs such as Rock Camp and Diving into Art (acrylic and watercolor). All of our day programs have an end of the week concert, recital, or exhibit for friends, family, and the public. Come as you are, and just bring a good attitude! All our teachers are masters in their respective art forms AND love teaching. Int addition, you will have a whole lot of fun and make friends along the way!
LATE AFTERNOON SESSIONS
In the afternoon we offer Dance Intensive (hip hip workshop with Carlos Neto, one the world’s top dancer/choreographers, 3-6 pm), Jazz Workshop (camp for musicians seeking to learn the music of jazz, 3-5 pm), and Theater Workshop (this year our play is the musical, Little Shop of Horrors, 3-6 pm).
ADULT LESSONS IN MUSIC AND ART
From 3-5 pm we offer adult lessons in music and art (both acrylic and watercolor). Whether you are a beginner who has never touched an instrument or paint brush or an experienced musician and artist, we will bring you up 10 notches in terms of technique and inspiration.
We look forward to seeing you at our summer camp in Bridgehampton whether that is Rock Camp, Dance Intensive, Diving into Art, Theatre Workshop, Jazz Workshop, or Adult Lessons in Music and Art!