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Westminster College of the Arts at С����Ƶ has added an exciting NEW summer offering for high school students:  Contemporary Vocal Camp. Students will delve into jazz, explore contemporary music and be introduced to diverse vocal stylings like scat and a cappella. Westminster’s acclaimed summer programs include Musical Theatre, Solo Vocal, and Vocal Institute. With the addition of the Contemporary Vocal Camp, Westminster rounds out its summer youth programming and allows young artists to enhance and expand their musical repertoire.

Student artists travel across the globe to train with Westminster’s distinguished faculty, as well as award-winning guest artists. The Contemporary Vocal Camp is no exception, welcoming Emmy Award winner Michelle McNulty, supervising casting director of NBC’s The Voice, who will lead a master class. McNulty says “As a former performer and now casting director, arts education is incredibly important to me both personally and professionally. I'm honored to spend time with these incredibly talented students and hopefully give some valuable tips during the master class.” Her class will focus on identifying and improving techniques that are crucial in a vocal audition for shows like The Voice, among others. Audition videos from previous Voice artists will be viewed, including those who’ve auditioned multiple times. “We will see their first audition, as well as the audition that got them on the show. They’ll hear and see some distinct differences,” McNulty adds. To prepare for her workshop, students enrolled in the camp will be asked to prepare two songs that best represent their voice. She will randomly select a few young artists to sing, mimicking The Voice audition format, and will provide pointers that make an impact in front of any panel of judges.  

Matthew Shaftel, dean of Rider’s Westminster College of the Arts believes summer programs like this “provide enriching educational and artistic opportunities that may inspire these young students to pursue music further. As the worldwide authority on singing, we are using that expertise to help students sing their best and develop their talent. The new Contemporary Vocal Camp will power up their popular music singing. This program stems from Westminster College of the Arts’ newest addition to its vocal programs: a popular voice ensemble as part of the Popular Music undergraduate degree.”

Tim Brent, director of the Contemporary Vocal Camp, will also lead the undergraduate Contemporary Vocal Ensemble this fall at Westminster College of the Arts. He anticipates the summer camp to broaden the scope of music for younger aspiring vocalists. Brent says, “This camp is designed specifically for any singer who enjoys contemporary musical styles like jazz, pop, and rock. Students will have a chance to explore and develop their vocal technique and ensemble singing, as well as performance skills in a fun and exciting week of music making.” Under his direction, students will strengthen their talents through ensemble rehearsals, private voice lessons and individual practice time. Dr. Brent is a nine-time DownBeat Award-winning vocal jazz educator, pianist, arranger, and he has performed with such artists as Bobby McFerrin, Mel Torme, Ingrid Jensen, Dick Oatts as well as Latin Grammy award-winner Obie Bermudez.

The Contemporary Vocal Camp will run from July 17 to July 23 at Rider’s Lawrenceville campus with an ensemble performance on the last day. Students who enroll by July 5 will receive a $300 discount off regular price tuition, which includes room and board!  Students registering by that date will pay $695, rather than $995.  Follow this link to register or learn more about the Contemporary Vocal Camp at Westminster College of the Arts at С����Ƶ. For additional information call 609-924-7416 or email woce@rider.edu.