DECATUR, Ill. -- The MCAA offers summer camps for children from pre-school through 12th grade and private and group lessons for children from six through adult in the performing arts, music, and writing. The summer programming offers a unique selection of quality instruction for beginners or advanced learners.
The mission of MCAA is to foster a lifelong love and appreciation of the Arts by providing performance learning opportunities for students of all ages in music, theatre, dance, media, and visual arts and cultivating a companionable link between the university and the community. 
MCAA seeks to provide equitable community access to arts education opportunities in support of: 
- -artistic literacy and wellness;
- -innovative activities that promote creating, performing, and responding;
- -the pursuit and integration of meaning across cultural contexts;
- -excellence in pre-professional training.
Instructors include School of Music faculty members, MCAA Instructor faculty, and upper-level ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ student instructors.
Interested participants can enroll at
More information about individual programming — including requirements and fees — is offered below.
2024 Summer Camps
Piano Camp
June 9-15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ages: 12+ through adult
Fee: $600 (Resident)/$375 (Commuter)
Over six days, intermediate to advanced students will participate in activities including masterclasses, private lessons, pedagogical presentations, collaborative piano, faculty and student recitals, and competition opportunities. There will be lots of individual one-on-one instruction as well as collaborative opportunities. This year's focus will be on careers in music and successful preparation for gigs. Register as a commuter or as a resident if you wish to stay overnight. The registration deadline is May 31, 2024.
Jazz Band Camp
June 9-15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ages: Junior high and high school students (12+)
Fee: $550 (Resident)/$350 (Commuter)
This camp is designed for students to develop individual musicianship and sight-reading skills through combo and big band settings. This year's focus will be on careers in music and successful preparation for gigs. Campers will also enjoy listening to historically significant albums led by influential artists. Students will be assigned to a combo by a placement audition at the beginning of camp. The ensembles will perform in a concert on the final day of camp. Register as a commuter or as a resident, if you wish to stay overnight. The registration deadline is May 31, 2024.
Film Camp
June 9-15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ages: 14+
Fee: $550 (Resident)/$350 (Commuter)
Over this seven-day camp, students will write, shoot, edit, and premiere a short film. Students will have access to professional film gear, such as the Black Magic Cinema 4K cine camera, Small Rig lighting, Holly Land transmitters, and Rode microphones, and utilize Adobe software to edit, color-correct and color-grade their film. Once completed, the film will be premiered on the final camp day. This is a fast-paced, intensive camp full of creativity and hands-on learning. Register as a commuter or as a resident, if you wish to stay overnight. The registration deadline is May 31, 2024.
Active Arts Adventure! Morning Session
June 24-28, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Central Christian Church
Ages: Entering preschool through 6th grade
Fee: $100
Participants will enjoy music, dance, drama, movement, and the visual arts. Tuition includes a T-shirt and daily snack. Campers will be divided into age-appropriate groups.
Active Arts Adventure! Afternoon Session
June24-28, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Central Christian Church
Ages: Entering kindergarten through 6th grade
Fee: $100
Participants will enjoy music, dance, drama, movement, and the visual arts. Tuition includes a T-shirt and daily snack. Campers will be divided into age-appropriate groups.
Active Arts Adventure! Full Day Session
June 24-28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Central Christian Church
Ages: Entering kindergarten through 6th grade
Fee: $225
Participants will enjoy music, dance, drama, movement, and the visual arts. Morning and afternoon sessions will not repeat material. Tuition includes a T-shirt and daily snack. Campers will be divided into age-appropriate groups. Participants should bring a sack lunch.
Pre-school Music Bootcamp
July 8-12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages: 3-5
Fee: $100
Using children's literature as our guide, we will explore a daily theme and experience it through music and movement. In addition, children can explore many classroom instruments, such as xylophones and drums. Tuition includes a T-shirt and daily snack.
Off the Record
July 8-12, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Ages: 5-8
Fee: $100
Students will explore the art of composition and improvisation using traditional classroom instruments, such as xylophones, drums, and bells. They will work cooperatively to create compositions inspired by literature and learn several arrangements. Tuition includes a T-shirt and daily snack.
RAP-U!
July 8-12, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Ages: Entering grades 5-12
Fee: $150
In this course, students will explore the history of hip-hop and have the opportunity to create music in a professional studio, collaborate with independent artists, and perform.
First Gig Rock'n'Roll Camp!
July 15-20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ages: 10-18
Fee: $300
Students will learn the ropes of how to be in a rock band, led by seasoned professional musicians.
Summer Sings!
July 22-26, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Ages: Preschool through 6th grade
Fee: $100
Summer Sings engages students through singing, dancing, and playing instruments.
Wild Arts Camp!
July 22-26, 1-4 p.m.
Ages: Kindergarten through 6th grade
Fee: $100
Campers will experience art's WILD side, focusing on new and exciting visual art techniques, drama, bucket drumming, Orff instruments, and much more!
Summer Sings and Wild Arts Full Day Camp!
July 22-26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ages: Kindergarten through 6th grade
Fee: $225
Come join the fun for a full day of camp with Summer Sings and Wild Arts Camps! You provide the sack lunch, and we provide the fun! Campers will be divided into age-appropriate groups.
Back in the Habit!
July 22-26, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Ages: Entering 5th-7th grade with one or two years of playing experience on their instrument
Fee: $75
Play in the band or orchestra? Brush the cobwebs off your instruments and get back in the habit of playing before school starts. This camp is intended for students entering 5th-7th grade who have had one or two years of playing experience.
Project A Capella
July 29-August 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ages: High school students (14+)
Fee: $350
Do you love Pentatonix? Have you daydreamed of your own "Riff-off" as seen in "Pitch Perfect"? Join Project A Cappella! This week-long camp will teach you how to bring popular music to life by creating instrument sounds with your voice! We will teach voice technique, microphone technique, beatboxing, and group singing, culminating in a performance.
Register and view program descriptions at millikin.asapconnected.com
