DreamYard Preparatory School Students from Bronx, N.Y., Attend Performing Arts Camp at Shenandoah University
A group of high school students from the DreamYard Preparatory School in Bronx, N.Y., are participating in this year’s Performing Arts Camp at Shenandoah University.
The Performing Arts Camp of Shenandoah Conservatory began July 5 and continues through July 19.
The DreamYard Prep students are studying dance and creative writing at the Performing Arts Camp, which provides middle and high school students with the opportunity to hone their artistic skills through participation in a variety of small and large ensembles, and instruction from world-class faculty and concert performers.
“Most of these kids have never left the Bronx and are amazed to find themselves in a rural college setting studying their subject of dance or creative writing,” said Jennifer Green, director of the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. “They are thrilled to be here and have met friends from local schools, kids around the nation and even made international friends. They are having the time of their lives.
"[The DreamYard Prep students] have really fallen in love with the area and the SU campus. Some of them want to return to Shenandoah University for their college education."
- Performing Arts Camp Director, Jessica Frost
Performing Arts Camp Director Jessica Frost agrees that the DreamYard students are really enjoying their time at camp and benefitting from the experience, both artistically and personally. Frost said the students watched the July 4 fireworks display in Stephens City, Va., and were amazed as they rode through the Frederick County farmland and saw cows grazing in the fields.
“They have really fallen in love with the area and the SU campus. Some of them want to return to Shenandoah University for their college education,” said Frost. “This is a very talented group of students and DreamYard prepared them so well for this experience and for their future endeavors.”
The campers stay in the dormitories at Shenandoah University and experience campus life, like eating in the dining hall. They also enjoy supervised recreational activities, including sports, pool parties, talent nights and cookouts. During the camp, each camper receives two weeks of instruction with ensemble coaching and private lessons in the areas of band, choir, creative writing, dance, harp, orchestra, percussion or piano.
The DreamYard Project, a non-profit organization that helps transform school communities through the power of arts education, is the lead institutional partner of the DreamYard Preparatory School. For more information, go to http://www.dyprep.org/.
For more information about the Performing Arts Camp of Shenandoah Conservatory, go to www.su.edu/pac.