Guitar Camp – June 18-22

9-noon all ages and abilities, 1-4 intermediate and advanced students only.

Download the registration form here!

Led by Orpheus Academy director, Dr. Klondike Steadman, this camp will have something for everyone, from the young beginner, to the most advanced guitarist.  Students will be broken up into small groups according to age and ability with different activities every 45 minutes including:

Afternoon Camp

This camp is designed for intermediate to advanced players (at least 3 years of study is required.  We will focus on building the skills necessary to go beyond the basics and into exciting and challenging repertoire:

Advanced Technique Class

• Developing Relaxed and Accurate Speed
• Smooth, Even and Fast Trills
• Vibrato

Small Ensemble

• Improve listening skills
• Develop musical friendships
• Build sight-reading ability
• Multiple performance opportunities

Fretboard Harmony

• Understanding chord shapes
• Using scale positions in sight-reading and improvisation
• Introduction to jazz harmony

Masterclasses with Visiting Artists

• Develop phrasing, deepen interpretation and solve tricky technical challenges

Evening Faculty Concerts

All students will perform at the noon-time concert on Friday, all will have the option of playing again on the Big Weekend Extravaganza Concert and the most dedicated students will be asked to perform at an Open Mic in public (TBA).

Faculty:

Dr. Steadman has taught at the Classical Minds Guitar Camp in Houston, the University of Texas as well as serving on the faculty of Southwestern University.  He is the author of The Complete Guitar and The Complete Guitar For the Older Beginner, which is used as the guitar textbook at colleges and universities across the US.  His presentation, The Chamber Music Project, at the Music Teachers National Association was very well received and has sparked a great deal of additional research and music which is now used in chamber music programs.  His work using the Kodaly approach in private lessons has led to publication in music teaching journals as well as presentations to music teacher organizations.

Dr. Jonathan Dotson taught at the Orpheus Academy from 2005 until 2010, during which time he maintained a thriving studio and taught at several summer camps. In addition, he has twice served on the faculty of the Emanuel and Helen Olsehn Texas Music Festival by way of the Classical Minds Guitar Camp. Dr. Dotson serves as a frequent adjudicator for guitar festivals and competitions around the country. Today, he teaches applied guitar and class guitar at the University of Texas at Brownsville, where his students are garnering critical acclaim.