As needed programs may move to a digital format or be postponed to a later date. In the event of a program shifting to virtual learning or a later date, participants may elect to receive a refund.
For a number of years, the Academy at the UMKC Conservatory has been the bridge between the national reputation and excellence of the Conservatory and the musical needs of our Kansas City community and beyond. Along with our private and group lessons offered throughout the year, our summer programs continue to grow, with new and exciting options being added each summer.
For the 2020 session, we are thrilled to announce the addition of our Summer Piano Festival for students entering grades 7–12. This week-long event is facilitated by Conservatory piano faculty members Christopher Madden, Thomas Rosenkranz, Jeffrey Savage, Karen Savage and Sean Chen. Activities will include private lessons with UMKC faculty, master classes, scholarship competitions (solo and concerto) and special topics classes. Students will experience the life of a Conservatory student by staying on UMKC’s campus.
“This summer festival will provide an outstanding opportunity for musical growth and allow students to connect with other young musicians,” says Christopher Madden, one of the festival organizers. “We’re looking forward to working with young pianists on the UMKC Conservatory campus this summer, in a nurturing and immersive environment where pre-college pianists will not only interact with our excellent UMKC piano faculty, but also experience relevant courses and musical experiences with other students who share their passion for the piano,” Karen Savage, another event organizer adds.
SUMMER PIANO FESTIVAL: JUNE 8-12, 2020
• Open to grades 7–12
• Standard Registration Fee: $595 (deadline 5/22/20)
• All forms and fees are due by Friday, May 22, 2020
Along with the exciting new Summer Piano Festival, a number of returning summer programs offer areas of study to many young performers in the Kansas City area and beyond. Participants come from all over the country to experience the mastery learned at the UMKC Conservatory.
CONSERVATORY DANCE INTENSIVE: JUNE 8–12, 2020
The Conservatory Dance Intensive gives high school students (grades 9–12) the opportunity to study with renowned performers and instructors. This 5-day intensive consists of classes in ballet technique, pointe, modern technique, composition and supplemental classes customized for participants like partnering, yoga, nutrition and choreography. Especially valuable as a “boot camp” in preparation for other summer intensive study, this week is full of insights and rewards that will serve dancers throughout their educational and professional careers.
• Open to grades 9–12 (younger students may be accepted on a
case by case basis)
• Standard Registration Fee: $500 (deadline 5/22/20)
• All forms and fees are due by Friday, May 22, 2020
UMKC PERCUSSION WORKSHOP: JUNE 9–11, 2020
The UMKC Percussion Workshop provides students in high school (grades 9–12) and middle school (grades 6–8) the opportunity to hone their technical skills and improve their musicianship by working with UMKC percussion faculty and guest artists. Teachers will present a variety of master classes and conduct rehearsals in preparation for the finale percussion ensemble concert to showcase the repertoire learned in the workshop. If you’re a percussionist who wants to grow as a musician and have fun doing it, then this workshop is for you!
• Open to grades 6–12, tracks available in concert percussion,
drum set and marching percussion
• Registration Fee: $225
• $25 discount to 2019 participants that completed exit survey
• All forms and fees are due by Friday, May 22, 2020
KANSAS CITY SAXOPHONE WORKSHOP: JUNE 14–18, 2020
The Kansas City Saxophone Workshop gives high school students (grades 9–12) the opportunity to study with renowned saxophone performers and instructors. Workshop sessions are designed to help students discover and realize their full artistic potential while building technique, studying solo classical literature and learning the fundamentals of jazz style and improvisation. Students will also perform in saxophone quartets and large saxophone ensembles coached by the distinguished faculty. Whether you’re looking to make All-State band, prepare for college auditions, or are just trying to improve, this workshop is for you!
• Open to grades 9–12
• Standard Registration Fee: $420
(deadline 5/29/20)
• All forms and fees are due by
Friday, May 29, 2020
KANSAS CITY CONDUCTING SYMPOSIUM: JUNE 14–19, 2020
KCCS participants conduct a chamber music ensemble five times during the week on repertoire chosen by our faculty clinicians. Postural analysis to help move in a healthy manner is also a vital part of the week. There will also be daily sessions presented on the following topics of artistic music making: pedagogy, gesture, rehearsal techniques, chamber music coaching, historical contexts, philosophy and literature. Steven D. Davis, alongside numerous UMKC Conservatory faculty and distinguished guest clinicians, has designed a symposium to help conductors serve their musicians and offer ways to make an immediate difference with any ensemble.
• Open to high school and university faculty as well
as graduate students in conducting
• Tracks include winds, orchestral and
choral conducting
• Conducting Participant Registration Fee: $515
• Auditor Registration Fee: $220 ($110 for UMKC)
• For-credit Registration Fee: $220 + UMKC tuition fees
• All forms and fees are due by Friday, May 29, 2020
UMKC JAZZ CAMP: JUNE 21–25, 2020
Steeped in the rich jazz history of Kansas City, the UMKC Jazz Camp brings world-renowned performers and jazz educators to Kansas City to work with talented young instrumentalists grades 6–12. Participants form lasting friendships as they delve deep into jazz in intensive combo rehearsals and coaching sessions. Daily master classes with Jazz Camp faculty, theory and improvisation classes and frequent faculty performances provide a well-rounded experience that touches on all aspects of jazz performance and history. Jazz Camp participants improve technical and improvisational skills and aural acuity while studying the standards of the past and new, innovative literature. All instruments are welcome. The UMKC Jazz Camp concludes with a public performance by the student combos.
• Open to grades 6–12
• Standard Registration Fee: $370 (deadline 6/5/20)
• All forms and fees are due by Friday, June 5, 2020
DOUBLE-REED INSTITUTE: JUNE 29–JULY 2, 2020
The UMKC Double Reed Institute provides high school students (grades 9–12) the opportunity to work with UMKC double reed faculty, play chamber music, learn the craft of reed making and perform. Double reed (oboe and bassoon) students will benefit from learning to play music in a variety of settings including master classes, lessons and chamber music. All students will have the opportunity to learn to make their own reeds in dedicated reed-making classes.
• Open to grades 9–12
• Standard Registration Fee: $275 (deadline 6/12/20)
• All forms and fees are due by Friday, June 12, 2020
For more information on any of these summer offerings at the Conservatory, contact Elizabeth Valle, Academy Director at music-ce@umkc.edu, or 816-235-2741.
–Jessica Riggins (photos by Bianca Kumar)
