2026 School of Performing Arts Summer Camps
Join one of our Summer Arts Camps!
- Learn from local arts educators and Virginia Tech faculty
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an early drop-off and late-pickup option
- In addition to great music activites and classes, students have outside playtime and campus adventures every day!
Summer Camp Faculty:
Mazi Zachary graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. She has worked for the Virginia Tech String Project since 2020, teaching group classes, private lessons, summer camps, and serving as the Assistant Director. She also led the American String Teachers Association chapter at Virginia Tech during her master's degree, holding workshops and other events for the music students. Currently, Mazi continues to work with the Virginia Tech String Project and has a local studio for private string lessons. She also performs frequently in the New River Valley area at churches, weddings, and other local events. Professionally, she is a member of the Virginia Music Education Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the American String Teachers Association.
Double bassist Yi-wen Evans is the Master Teacher of the Virginia Tech String Project, orchestra director of Roanoke City Public Schools, and the instructor of Roanoke County School String Program. Originally from Taiwan, she was a member of the Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra and Kaohsiung City Chinese Orchestra. She has also performed with New River Valley Symphony Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Opera Roanoke, and works actively in many chamber music ensembles.
Additional Camp Faculty coming soon!
Elementary Arts Camp: Come drum, sing, move, and be surrounded by art this summer!
Rising 1st-6th graders
June 22-26, 9-3 p.m.
Cost is $275 which includes instruction time and counselor-led recreation time. 8:30am early drop off and late pick up at 4:45pm are an additional $50 for the week.
Sample Camp Day for Elementary Arts Campers:
8:30-9 a.m. (optional early drop off)
9 a.m. Morning Meeting
9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Visual art
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Movement
11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Outside lunch (weather permitting)
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Outdoor free play and games
12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Musical instruments
1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Music listening and learning
2:45 p.m.-3 p.m. Afternoon goodbye, prepare for pick up
3 p.m.-4:45 p.m. (optional late pick up), students have free play, games, reading, and snack time during this window
Music Exploration Camp: Come explore new instruments and music concepts! Students will explore playing string, brass, wind, and percussion instruments while establishing and cultivating music literacy concepts. This is a great way for your student to gain a broad understanding and appreciation for various instruments and help them decide what instrument they might like to play in middle and high school!
Rising 2nd-8th graders
Aug. 2, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Aug. 3-6, 9 p.m.-3 p.m.
Cost is $275 which includes instruction time and counselor-led recreation time. 8:30 a.m. early drop off and late pick up at 4:45 p.m. are an additional $50 for the week.
Sample Camp Day for Music Exploration Campers:
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. (optional early drop off)
9 a.m. Morning Meeting
9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Woodwind/brass exploration
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. String exploration
11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Outside lunch (weather permitting)
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Outdoor free play and games
12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Percussion exploration
1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Music listening and learning
2:45 p.m.-3 p.m. Afternoon goodbye, prepare for pick up
3 p.m.-4:45 p.m. (optional late pick up), students have free play, games, reading, and snack time during this window
String Intensive Camp: For violin, viola, cello, and bass players with prior experience of at least one year. Classes include music literacy and history, string technique, orchestra, and small groups.
Rising 2nd-12th graders
July 27 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
July 28-31 9 p.m.-3 p.m.
Cost is $275 which includes instruction time and counselor-led recreation time. 8:30am early drop off and late pick up at 4:45pm are an additional $50 for the week.
Sample Camp Day for String Intensive Campers:
8:30 a.m.-9 a.m. (optional early drop off)
9 a.m. Morning physical warmup
9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Orchestra
10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Technique groups
11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Outside lunch (weather permitting)
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Outdoor free play and games
12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Chamber music groups
1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Music listening and learning
2:45 p.m.-3 p.m. Afternoon goodbye, prepare for pick up
3 p.m.-4:45 p.m. (optional late pick up), students have free play, games, reading, and snack time during this window
Additional Info:
All instruction is led by local arts educators and Virginia Tech faculty. In addition to great music and arts activities and classes, students have outside playtime and campus adventures every day! String Intensive campers will finish the weekend with a performance at the Steppin' Out Blacksburg Music Festival! Registration deadline for all camps is June 16th.
Limited need-based scholarships are available. Please email Molly Wilkens-Reed at stringproject@vt.edu to learn more. The School of Performing Arts is committed to providing quality arts education to every interested student. If you are interested in making a donation to support another camper, there is an option in the payment system.
Contact stringproject@vt.edu for more information.