DC Campus: THEARC Session 1 Newsletter

A Note from the Director of Camp Levine

Dear Camp Levine Families,

We’ve had such an awesome time at Camp Levine this session! We’re thankful for you sharing your camper with us this summer. It’s been a pleasure watching them explore and enjoy the creative freedom that music and arts inspire. Our Camp Levine team is great, but the support of our Camp Levine community is what has made it all possible.

Whether this is your camper’s first or third summer at Camp Levine, we hope that through our theme “Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall: Harmony in All Seasons,” we have provided a fun and engaging artistic experience.

We hope to see you next year!

Best,

Jazmin Goodson, Director of Camp Levine

A Note from the NW DC Site Director

We made it! Session 1 is complete and ended on a great note! It has been a joy getting to know each of the students and learning more about their personalities. However, the best part was seeing their artistic progress, which was displayed at the end of session performance (recording coming soon!). The students and teachers worked hard each day and it was evident by their top-tier musicianship technique, and presentation. I may be a little bias, but Camp Levine at THEARC is the best!! I can’t wait to see what the students discover and master during session 2!

Cheers,

Juan Goodson

Site Director, Camp Levine THEARC

PreK/Kindergarten Class

Our PreK/K campers are assigned to one teacher and camper group for the entire 3-week session. They explore music and the arts through singing, storytelling, arts and crafts, creative movement, and imaginative play.

The Snowflakes

Lauren Lewis: During our first camp session, our youngest campers, the snowflakes, have had fun exploring our 2024 theme of Harmony in all Seasons. We have created a number of season based art projects and read books about each of the seasons. The snowflakes have played musical games, such as Rattlin Bog and A Rig A Jig Jig. They have also enjoyed learning some traditional Camp songs and games, including The Princess Pat and A Ram Sam Sam. Each day, the children have also had an opportunity to play a variety of percussion instruments, as well as learning about the piano, the violin, and the trumpet from our visiting instruments artists.

Morning Classes

Morning classes at Camp Levine are music an instrument focused. During the morning classes our campers grades 1-6 experience Instrumental Music introductions and instruction, General Music, Art, and Games & Sports. Read below to hear from our teachers about what your campers did during Session 1!

Music+ (General Music)

Fran Garcia Revert: The Raindrops and Sunrays groups explored rhythm using vegetable names, creating and composing their rhythmic patterns. They learned many nursery rhymes and song games, practicing call and response. Additionally, they explored rhythm with scarves and performed songs using boom whackers.

The Leaves class delved into rhythm by using various note patterns and musical notation through numerous songs. They sang in canon, enhancing their understanding of harmony and timing. The students also explored Orff instruments, such as mallets, xylophones, and rhythm sticks, developing their coordination and musical skills through hands-on practice.

The Glaciers class explored various themes of rhythm and musical notation, delving into more complex arrangements. They had the opportunity to learn intricate pieces on mallet instruments, playing in 4 and 5 parts together as an orchestra. Additionally, the students practiced musical skill games, enhancing their technical abilities and teamwork. This hands-on approach fostered a deeper understanding of musical concepts and orchestral performance.

Trumpet

Nathan Wolfe:

Focus Group– For the focus instruments trumpet group, we have been working on sound production, reading and playing our first notes, and basic technique. In addition, we have been working on repertoire for the final performance. By the end of the three weeks, students should be able to read C, D, E, F, and G on the staff, and produce those notes on the trumpet. In addition, students are being encouraged to understand the difference between a C and a G, both in pitch quality and physical changes in their embouchure. Some basic concepts they should be focusing on are not puffing their cheeks when they play and not pinching to reach high notes. I have greatly enjoyed our time together and appreciate all the work the campers have done!

Sampler Group– In our sampler trumpet classes, we have been learning how to buzz, hold the trumpet properly, and first notes. We start each class with everyone getting a mouthpiece and making a chorus of buzzes. This helps us warm up our lips and get ready to play on the trumpet. Then, each camper takes turns putting their mouthpiece in the trumpet and making sound. During this time, we learn how to hold the trumpet, and the difference between each partial of sound we can make while not pressing any keys. In some classes, we have learned the notes in between our first open position notes. It has been a joy to work with each of the groups of campers, and starting them on their musical journeys!

Art

Tiffany Strother: During session 1, the Levine Art students produced a ton of amazing projects. Students were able to complete sketches and drawings of their favorite things in relation to our theme: Harmony in all Seasons. The Sunrays were able to make cherry blossom trees. The Raindrops painted miniature pots for planting flowers. The Leaves built and painted bird houses while the Glaciers did face painting. The most excitement came when students were able to create their own costumes and props for their end of session production. It has been a pleasure to make and create with your students.

Games & Sports

VL Buzdygon: Our campers have been having a fun filled summer playing a variety of collaborative games and activities in Games and Sports. During week 1 we focused on playing different kinds of tag games such as Happy Birthday, hula hoop tag, and infection. In week 2, we practiced our team building skills with soccer, baseball and beach ball basket ball. Due to extended heat advisories, we have spent most of week 3 inside playing Camp Levine Madlibs, Froggy Detective, and Grizzly Bear. We have had so much fun and cannot to see what session 2 brings!

Violin

Christine Kharazian: The young violinists made impressive progress at Camp Levine! We have learned many unique facts about the violin, such as the reason why fingerboards are always made from ebony wood. We also explored the pizzicato technique and bowing, producing a variety of rhythms on open strings. We learned how to create new notes with our fingers. Campers with previous violin experience were given an opportunity to play complete songs and will be featured in the final performance. I tremendously enjoyed teaching these wonderful students at THEARC and hope that the seed of love for violin has been planted for a lifetime.

Piano

Rachel Chen:

Focus Groups– Over the past three weeks, teaching the focused piano class at Camp Levine has been an immensely fulfilling experience. Guiding a group of five dedicated students, I’ve witnessed their transformation from piano novices to confident performers. Together, we’ve tackled basic music skills such as proper piano posture and note recognition, delving into the intricacies of piano playing with enthusiasm. From learning 11 new songs to mastering them by heart, each student has shown remarkable progress and a passion for music that is truly inspiring. They will be playing their debut performance at THEARC Theatre this Friday, I couldn’t be prouder to see them show off their new skills!

Sampler Groups– I also had the opportunity to teach the sampler class, where I saw each student two days a week for three consecutive weeks. Together, we explored fundamental piano techniques such as establishing proper posture, mastering rhythmic patterns, and recognizing keys on the keyboard. At the end of each session, they performed songs in front of their friends and shared what they’ve learned. My hope is that these skills ignite a lasting curiosity in music beyond camp, enriching their musical journey ahead.

Afternoon Classes

Afternoon classes at Camp Levine are musical theater focused. During the afternoon classes our campers grades 1-6 experience Dance, Drama, and Choral music classes. These 3 classes collaborate to produce a musical theater performance at the end of the session. Read below to hear from our teachers about what your campers did during Session 1!

Dance:

Michelle Seaward –The session 1 campers have been Amazing. We were able to get so much done!

Week 1 : We played dance games like musical chairs, freeze dance ect. The students started to work on choreography for their performances.

Sunrays & Raindrops worked on a hip hop dance. Leaves worked on modern dance. The Glaciers worked on an Afrobeat dance. They all did very well.

Week 2: All classes started new dances to work on their 2nd piece. Sunray & Raindrops worked on a short Broadway piece. They loved it! Leaves worked on Thriller and they killed it! They really put a lot of work in. The Glaciers worked on an interpretation piece. It was a hard dance but they pulled it together nicely.

Week 3: The campers worked on their last dance piece. The Sunray & Raindrops worked on “Seasons of Love” Dance portion. They learned their choreography so fast. The Leaves had to learn a modern dance. This was their favorite one. I could tell because they lit up everytime we performed it. The Glaciers work on “I’m coming out” ! Their performance was really together in this piece.

Overall the campers worked so hard and learned so much in a short amount of time. I am very proud of each of them! Great Job Campers. I hope to see you all again next Summer!

Drama:

Nia Potter – Over the past three weeks, I have had the pleasure of working with a group of talented young students in our drama program. Our focus has been on foundational skills essential to theatre, including proper body warm-ups, articulation exercises, and projection techniques. In addition to these technical skills, we have emphasized the importance of collaboration, fostering a supportive and cohesive ensemble. The students have shown remarkable dedication, not only improving their individual abilities but also learning and performing a script with enthusiasm and creativity. I am incredibly proud of the growth I’ve witnessed and am excited to see their continued development as young actors.

Choral:

Fran Garcia Revert- The Raindrops and Sunrays classes explored numerous vocal warm-up activities using the body scale, which helped them understand pitch and vocal placement. They sang various songs, honing their vocal skills and musicality. Additionally, they prepared pieces for musical theater, learning to combine singing with expressive performance and building their confidence on stage.

The Leaves class learned songs for musical theater, focusing on enhancing their vocal strength and breathing techniques. They practiced advanced vocal warm-ups and exercises to improve their pitch and tone. Additionally, they explored harmony by singing in parts and worked on stage presence and expression to prepare for their performances, building confidence and teamwork through group activities.

The Glaciers class engaged in advanced vocal training, focusing on complex breathing techniques and voice control. They learned songs for musical theater, emphasizing precise diction and emotional expression. The students practiced singing in parts, tackling challenging pieces, and developing their ability to blend and balance their voices.