DC Campus: SE Newsletter + Announcements

Announcements

Meet our Camp Director!

Meet Jazmin Goodson

Jazmin-Goodson-v2There is so much excitement in our camp office as we look ahead towards summer and solidify plans for this coming season of Camp Levine. We’d like to take a moment to introduce and extend a warm welcome to our new Director of Camp Levine, Jazmin Goodson!

Jazmin is a native of Charlotte, NC and her love for the arts began at a young age. Coming from a family of instrumentalists, singers, songwriters, and recording artists, her first introduction to the arts was through music. She then ventured into dance and step where she grew to understand the importance of the arts and arts education as it relates to youth development, discovering her own creativity and confidence through movement.

Upon graduating high school, Jazmin went on to study music as a voice major at Mars Hill University. During her time at Mars Hill, she was a member of several university choirs, was a Resident Assistant, and was the founder and President of the M. Hill Steppers. She later changed her major to business and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration and gained a music minor in voice. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Jazmin became involved in the arts scene in Charlotte where she volunteered regularly at the Mint Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African- American Arts and Culture, Rhythmic Soul Dance Company, The YMCA of Greater Charlotte, and her local church as a dance and music leader for youth and teens.

In 2019, Jazmin relocated to DC to complete an AmeriCorps service year with the Notre Dame Mission Volunteers (NDMVA) at Sitar Arts Center. There she enjoyed working with youth and learned firsthand about arts non-profit work. As part of the aftercare and summer program team she was able to promote NDMVA’s mission of encouraging education, community empowerment, and leadership development through programming and curriculum creation. After completing her service year, she became the DC Site Director for NDMVA supporting AmeriCorps volunteers.

In 2020, Jazmin received her M.A. in Arts Administration from Winthrop University and began working at Levine Music as a Campus Coordinator at the DC Campus: NW. Jazmin was integral to the campus operations providing administrative support for faculty and staff as well as the tuition assistance program. In 2022, she became a first-time mom and was promoted to Operations Manager at the NW Campus. Her time at Levine has afforded her the opportunity to merge her passion for the arts, arts education, and access to the arts through the work she has done and will continue to do.

We are thrilled to welcome Jazmin as the next leader of Camp Levine and look forward to all that she will bring to this program.  As she transitions into her new role, Jazmin will continue to work with Levine’s tuition assistance program and will serve as a member of Levine’s DEIA working group, supporting Levine’s mission of providing quality music education to all.

If you have any questions before or during the camp, you can reach Jazmin at jgoodson@levinemusic.org, or by emailing the camp office, camp@levinemusic.org . You may continue to reach out to our Director of Summer Programs, Blythe Bonnaffons, as well.

We look forward to seeing you all for Camp Levine 2023: “A Rainbow Connection: Compositions in Color” very soon!

Camp Levine

SE Focus Instruments: Grades 3-6

Hi Camp families! 

Below are the focus instruments that will be offered at your camp location this summer for grades 3-6. If you would like to make any changes to your camper’s instrument choice, please be sure to do so through your Levine Music account by Monday, May 15th.  

SE Session 1
1. Piano
2. Percussion
3. TBD

          Session 2 at the SE campus will have different programming with a musical theatre focus.

          Note: we cannot guarantee your camper will receive their first-choice instrument.

          Welcome letter

          Dear Camp Levine Families, 

          Welcome to the 36th summer anniversary of Camp Levine! After months of preparation, we can’t wait to create a colorful summer through a “Rainbow Connection: Compositions in Color.” 

          Over the past 35 years, Camp Levine has influenced thousands of children and cultivated a community that provides a safe space for creativity through music and the arts. Our talented faculty, staff, and teen apprentices help children to create lifelong memories through an engaging artistic experience. I am excited to join this awesome camp community and be a source of support for families like you this summer!

          Please make sure to read the parent handbook and explore the parent portal. Over the course of the summer, it will be updated with newsletters, photos, videos, bios, and helpful links. 

          Thank you for being part of our camp community. See you soon!

           

          Best, 

          Jazmin 

          Jazmin Goodson, Director of Camp Levine

          Camp Levine Session 1 Starts 6/26
          Hello Camp Levine families!
          I know you have received many emails in the past weeks leading up to the first day, but I wanted to send along an additional welcome in anticipation of the big day. So much work has been done to ensure a great summer with our awesome faculty, staff, and teen apprentices. 
          A friendly reminder that drop-off will begin around 9:15am and there is no before care tomorrow morning at any of our campuses. Be sure to check out the parent portal throughout the session for the e-newsletter and updates. 
          Should you have any questions or concerns during your camp session please be sure to reach out to your respective campus (emails below).
          MD Strathmore camp.md@levinemusic.org
          Falls Church VA camp.va@levinemusic.org
          I wish you all a great, color filled summer at Camp Levine!
          Best,
          Jazmin
          DC Central Kitchen Menus

          Camp Levine is proud to partner with DC Central Kitchen to provide healthy meals for our campers at THEARC this summer. Breakfast will be provided for campers enrolled in before care only and lunch will be provided to every camper. Please see the menus  below for meals that may be provided each day. Campers are welcome to bring their own lunch as well.

          If you have questions or concerns please reach out to our camp staff at camp.thearc@levinemusic.org.

          DC Central Kitchen Menus- July

          Camp Levine: Coffee Chats

          Dear Camp Levine Families,

          Happy First Week of Session 1! We are having a wonderful time so far—thank you for sharing your amazing children with us!

          This summer we’d like to invite our Camp Levine parents to Wednesday Coffee Chats from 8:15-9am during select weeks at each campus. This is an opportunity for you to:

          -connect with other parents in your camp community

          -give us feedback about your child’s Camp Levine experience

          -learn more about Levine Music’s offerings during the academic year and other ways to support your child musicallyDates are listed below:Wednesday, July 5 at Falls ChurchWednesday, July 12 at THEARC

          Wednesday, July 26 at StrathmoreWednesday, August 2 at NW DCParents are welcome to attend any date that works for them, even if it is outside your child’s camp session.Please complete this very simple form letting us know if you’d like to attend in-person and if you need Before Care for your child on this day.COFFEE CHAT RSVP If you can’t join us in-person, please join us online! In addition to the morning Coffee Chats, we will be offering a virtual Lunch Chat on Wednesday, July 19 from 12-1pm. (A zoom link will be sent out closer to the date).Thank you again for choosing Camp Levine as your child’s summer camp and we hope to see you at one of our Chats!

          Blythe BonnaffonsDirector of Summer Programs & Suzuki Flute Instructor

          Camp Levine Session 2 Starts 7/17
          Dear Camp Levine families,
          Session 1 is coming to an end, and we can’t wait for session 2 to begin! 
          Session 2 begins next Monday, July 17On the first day of camp, we ask that you park and walk in with your campers. Caregivers can pick up their camper’s t-shirt, dashboard signs, and other helpful information. 
           
          Please know that camp staff will be extremely busy on the first day and our priority is getting campers safely settled. If you have any questions, concerns, or requests on day one, please send them as an email. 
           
          A friendly reminder that drop-off will begin around 9:15am and there is no before care on the first day of camp
           
          VOTE Camp Levine Best of DC!
          Help Camp Levine keep its crown as the Best Summer Camp. Voting ends today, July 10! Cast your vote here

           

          Instruments: Campers in 3rd grade and up will take home their instruments for the first time. Remember to bring their focus instruments to and from camp daily. 
           
          Lunches, instruments, and bags: Your child should only be bringing their lunch box (containing a lunch, snack, and mask) and water bottle to camp. Space is a limited, which makes it hard to accommodate book bags, particularly when our older campers are traveling with instrument cases. 
           
          The exception is PK/K campers, who should also bring a change of clothes and may choose to bring a rest mat. The clothes and mat typically stay at camp for the full 3 weeks. 
           
          Late drop off: If you arrive after 9:45am, please walk your child to the camp office so we can sign them in and escort them to their class. It is the best way for us to keep every child accounted for. 
           
          Absences/Early Pick-Up: If you need to pick up your child early or if they will be absent, please e-mail your site’s email address.  If your child needs to be dismissed early, notice enables us to have your child ready and on time for pick up. 
          The Parent Portal may look a little bare for Session 2, but it will continue to be updated as camp progresses. Please take some time to explore! This includes the parent handbook, car line maps, teacher bios, contact info, camp photos, and moreThe portal will be regularly updated during the camp session.

           

          Password: camplevine2023
          Should you have any questions or concerns during your camp session please be sure to reach out to your respective campus (emails below).
           
          MD Strathmore camp.md@levinemusic.org
          Falls Church VA camp.va@levinemusic.org
           
          We can’t wait to see you at Camp Levine!
           
          Best,
          Jazmin
          Camp Levine Session 2- Seussical the Musical Jr.

          Hello Camp Levine SE Family!

          I’m so excited about Session 2 here at THEARC and our campers are having a great time working with our new staff. I wanted to let you all know that we have decided to change the production for this session to Seussical: The Musical. This production closely relates to our theme and “Green Eggs and Ham,” from Seussical was a hit during the Session 1–we are looking forward to revisiting it!. Below is the synopsis from Music Theatre International and the script will be uploaded to the parent portal tomorrow, July 17.
          At Camp Levine, we pride ourselves on being able to create fun and engaging artistic experiences for your children and want to ensure we provide a safe space for them to express their creativity. We are so happy to be able to offer a second session of camp at THEARC this summer that provides a new musical experience.

          Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

          Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.  Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.  Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!

          Seussical JR. provides wonderful creative opportunities in terms of set design, lighting and costuming and can easily accommodate a large cast of expandable “Seussian” creatures.

          Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

          P.S. The Keegan Theatre is currently putting on the production of Seussical. For more information check it out here. Our dance teacher, Caroline Graham, is also part of the production!

          Thank you,
          Austin Gaskin
          Site Director

          Seussical At- Home Prep

          Seuss Jr- FVScript

          Guided Vocal Tracks

          Cast list

          Rehearsal Videos *Please note that these videos are only to be used for at home rehearsal purposes. They cannot be downloaded or shared on social media.*

          Camp Levine: Virtual Lunch Chat Recording 7/19

          Check it out here!

          Passcode: G1u$5rsz

          Weekly Newsletter

          Camp Levine Final Performances

          Final performances are closed for families and friends but will be recorded and uploaded here! Check back soon for updates.

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