If Homer Simpson can go to rock camp, so can your child. Blame Guitar Hero, Rock Band, or the resurgence of 1980s dinosaur bands, but rock n' roll summer camps are all the rage these days. Here is a quick round-up of some camps where you child can not only learn to play an instrument, but take his or her craft to the next level.
ALSO: We also have a few more classical camps to add to our original list.
Bandworks
Bandworks offers five different summer camp programs for kids and teens in six different locations throughout the Bay Area. Camp programs range from an intro to rock band instruments, to learning to play your favorite band's songs, to actually making a recording. There is also a “teen intensive” program in the Oakland location for more advanced players. Supervision between sessions is provided for kids who sign up for both morning and afternoon programs.
- Ages: 8-teens
- Dates/Times: Weekly throughout the summer, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. “Teen intensive” 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Throughout the Bay Area. Check website for a city near you
- Auditions/Prerequisites: None for the intro class; 6 months to one year experience for other classes; 2 years experience for “Teen Intensive” workshop
- Cost: Range from $265 to $300 for a half-day session
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (510) 843-2263
Bay Area Girls Rock Camp
The renowned Bay Area Girls Rock Camp is gearing up for a full summer of activities. Campers attend instrument lessons, form a band, collaboratively write an original song, participate in daily music and empowerment-related workshops, and perform with their band at a live showcase at the end of the week.
- Ages: 8-18
- Dates/Times: Three week-long sessions in June and July, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Location: Oakland School for the Arts, 530 18th Street, Oakland
- Auditions: None
- Cost: $400 per week (financial aid is available)
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (510) 267-1808
Bird School of Music
Kids can channel their inner rock star at Bird this summer, as they practice stage techniques, learn or improve musical skills, and record audio and video. At the end of each week-long session, campers will put on a show on the Bird stage for family and friends.
- Ages: Entering grades 2 through 9
- Dates/Times: 12 week-long sessions June 4 through Aug. 31 (except July 2-6), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or half-day
- Location: 1924 Polk Street, San Francisco
- Auditions: None
- Cost: $205-$875
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (415) 441-3551
Blue Bear School of Music Summer Camp
The incomparable Bonnie Hayes brings her music knowledge to these popular camps. The songwriter for such stars as Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Bette Midler, David Crosby, and Robert Cray has many years of professional stage and touring experience. She's also been a teacher for more than 35 years. The camps focus on performance and songwriting in styles ranging from folk to pop to jazz/blues.
- Ages: Entering grades 6 through 12
- Dates/Times: Week-long camps June 11-August 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., aftercare (to 4 p.m.) available
- Location: Fort Mason in San Francisco and Coleman School, 800 Belle Ave., San Rafael
- Auditions/Prerequisites: No experience necessary for beginning session; various levels of experience suggested for advanced sessions
- Cost: $75-$595 (sliding scale)
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (415) 673-3600
East West Music and Dance Camps
The 36-year-old East West Music and Dance Studio in the South Bay provides a family-friendly and age–appropriate learning experience for young musicians and dancers, offering such things as a Princess Camp, a Superhero Boys class, and music camps of all styles and levels.
- Ages: 4 to teen
- Dates/Times: Week-long camps July 9-August 18, times vary by camp
- Location: 7283 Coronado Drive, San Jose CA 95129 (near Hwy 85 / DeAnza Blvd )
- Auditions/Prerequisites: Experience required for upper-level sessions
- Cost: $85 to $210, depending on class
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (408) 865-0654
JAMcamp
Led by award-winning educator/musician Charity Kahn of Charity and the JAMband, JAMcamp allows students to get into the groove with song, dance, creative drama, songwriting, nature exploration, arts and crafts, and play, culminating in a performance of their own creation. This year's camps will be smaller — 12 campers per session. The camp fee includes a set of five JAMband CDs, camp t-shirt, all materials, and organic snacks
- Ages: 5-8
- Dates/Times: Week-long camps June 18- August 24 (June 11 week is full), 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Location: 39th and Rivera Streets, San Francisco (Outer Sunset)
- Auditions/Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $360/week. $50 sibling or multi-week discount
- Registration deadline: Ongoing, but space is limited
- Contact: (415) 425-0372
Jam Camp West
Jam Camp West, a residential camp up in the Santa Cruz mountains, offers hands-on classes in musicianship and provides exposure to contemporary and diverse cultural trends in jazz. Jam Camp is geared towards the process, not the outcome. Campers experience a supportive environment where they can try new things, be inspired, and find mentors and teachers.
- Ages: 10-15
- Dates: Residence camp, July 21-27
- Location: Loma Mar, La Honda, CA
- Auditions/Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $845-$860
- Registration deadline: Ongoing, subject to availability
- Contact: (510) 287-8880
SoundWall
SoundWall Music Camp is a residential camp geared for youngsters with one year of playing experience under their belts. They will learn instrument technique, rock music history, basic music theory, vocal performance, band dynamics, song writing, and performance prep.
- Ages: 12 to 17
- Dates: Residence camp, July 15 - 20 and July 22 - 27
- Location: University of California, Santa Cruz
- Auditions/Prerequisites: At least one year playing experience; application with demo required
- Cost: $1500 for one week, room and board included
- Registration deadline: Ongoing, but fee goes up after June 15
- Contact: (925) 518-8289
San Francisco Rock Project
Belt out some Nirvana, Stones, Radiohead, Zeppelin this summer at the San Francisco Rock Project. The camp offers daily one-on-one private lessons on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards or vocals, as well as fun group rehearsals to prepare for a final show at a live music venue in San Francisco. The camp welcomes both beginners and more experienced musicians.
- Ages: 8 to teens
- Dates/Times: Week-long camps, June 18-August 17, 12 p.m. -5 p.m.
- Location: Sailors’ Union of the Pacific Building (at Maritime Hall), 450 Harrison St., San Francisco
- Auditions: None
- Cost: $450-$500
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (415) 495-7625
More Classical Camps
Vivace Youth Chorus
San Jose's Vivace Youth Chorus offers quality choral music education and a multi-tiered, challenging experience. Its summer camp is open to members of the chorus and other youth in the community. Camp activities will include choral music and other arts such as dance and movement, painting, and exploration with instruments. The camp concludes with an informal performance.
- Ages: 6-10
- Dates/Times: Aug. 6 to 10, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Location: The Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1937 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose
- Auditions: None
- Cost: $200, including snacks and a T-shirt
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (408) 885-1746
Peninsula Youth Chorus
The award-winning Peninsula Youth Orchestra holds week-long summer camps in late July and early August, for symphony and chamber musicians. The camps welcomes musicians to enroll at any proficiency level, and offers advanced ensembles for those who have studied an orchestral instrument diye or more years and have previous ensemble experience. There is also a string camp for anyone with one or more years of lessons.
- Ages: 6-18
- Dates/Times: July 23-27, 9 a.m. -noon, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. String camp: July 30-August 3, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Location: various locations in San Carlos. Check with the camp
- Auditions/Prerequisites: None for beginning levels, four or more years experience for advanced levels; auditions required for pianists in advanced chamber music session; at least one year of lessons for string camp.
- Cost: $180-$380
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (650) 325-7967
SFEMS Children’s Music Discovery Workshop
The S.F. Early Music Society presents a unique camp for kids this summer, looking at early music and Renaissance social history. Campers will study the music and dance of England in Shakespeare's time. Beginners to advanced students are welcome. Instruction includes mixed ensembles, musicianship, Renaissance dance, crafts, games, and a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Ages: 7 to 15
- Dates: July 29 to Aug. 3, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Location: Crowden Center for Music in the Community, 1475 Rose St., Berkeley
- Audition/Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $460, materials included
- Registration deadline: Ongoing
- Contact: (510) 559-4670