Summer Camps

Introducing 2021 summer programs at the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts! Dedicated to the highest quality performing arts education, Wharton offers an array of outdoor summer activities and online programs for all ages, where the entire family can engage with the power of music right from their home.

From private lessons with an exemplary faculty at our Performing Arts School, as well as musical theater, drama, and early childhood music camps, to workshops and master classes with renowned guest artists, Wharton Arts offers something for everyone both in-person and on a remote platform. Join us this summer at our Berkeley Heights campus under our big top tents, where we will safely engage in creative educational activities following CDC guidelines.

CLICK HERE FOR COVID-19 SUMMER CAMP PROTOCOLS.

To speak with Director of Student Services Kristen Wuest about our summer programs or for registration assistance, contact (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Announcing After Camp Activities Add-Ons Monday through Thursday! Campers will enjoy a range of fun activities after camp hours from 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. outside on the grounds of the Performing Arts School.

Monday: Campers get some fun physical activity with games, sports, and more!
Tuesday: Campers spend an enriching afternoon with special guests in the arts. Acting, singing, dancing, and more!
Wednesday: Pool Day! Campers attend the Berkley Heights YMCA Pool for some fun in the sun. Make sure to bring a towel, sunscreen, and your bathing suit. Splish, splash!
Thursday: Campers get creative with an arts and craft day!

Theater Explorers

Nine Weeks of Summer Fun • Ages 7-14
6/21-8/20 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Showcase: Fridays at 5:00 p.m.
Camp Instructor: Timothy Maureen Cole
Tuition: $280 per week
Explore the world of theater outdoors this summer! Theater Explorers work with an instructor and counselor Monday – Friday to create an original story and script based on the theme of the week.  Campers also work on a musical number and dance number each week, which are presented along with their scenes at a final showcase on Friday for family and friends!

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Theater Explorers Weekly Themes

Enroll in one week of Theater Explorers or all nine!
6/21-6/25: High School Musical
6/28-7/2: The Descendants
7/6-7/9: Harry Potter
7/12-7/16: Trolls
7/19-7/23: Alice in Wonderland
7/26-7/30: The Greatest Showman
8/2-8/6: Peter Pan
8/9-8/13: Frozen
8/16-8/20: Broadway Week!


Register

Enroll Now

Read what our students are saying about Wharton’s Musical Theater classes in the Wharton Arts blog.
“You are amazing with technology. The dance and song are too cute and way more than we expected. Thank you for the time you put in!” ~ 2020 Dance, Sing & Act Student Parent

Register

Summer Musical Theater Workshop

One Week of Broadway Hits  • Ages 7-11
7/6-7/10 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Camp Instructor: Timothy Maureen Cole
Tuition: $300 Number of Participants: 6-20
Suitable for beginners and experienced performers alike, campers work with instructors to prepare scenes, solos, duets, and ensembles from some of their favorite musicals in a final showcase at the end of the week. Work with instructors on real scenes and songs from Dear Evan Hansen, Newsies, Wicked, and more!  Showcase numbers will feature every camper.

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

Two Weeks of Shakespeare  • Ages 10-16
7/12-7/23 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Showcase: July 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Camp Instructor: Sara Giacomini
Tuition: $450 Number of Participants: 6-20
This program gives a nod to the tradition of Shakespeare performed outdoors in summer’s natural surroundings. Students will work together to put on a unique production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream from start to finish in just two weeks complete with costumes, props, and sets using the outdoor background as their canvas. The final performance will be held outdoors for family and friends in a casual setting. This camp is perfect for the budding actor interested in learning about theater, classical literature, and performance!

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Advanced Summer Musical Theater Workshop

One Week of Advanced Musical Theater • Ages 10-16
7/26-7/30 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Showcase: July 30 at 6:00 p.m.
Camp Instructor: TBD
Tuition: $300
This advanced workshop is perfect for campers wanting to hone their triple threat skills in a fun and fast-paced environment. Over the course of the week students prepare popular scenes, solos, ensemble numbers, and choreography from familiar Broadway hits. A final showcase featuring all campers will be held on the last day of camp.

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Monologue Workshop

One Week of Dramatic Arts • Ages 7-13
8/2-8/6 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Showcase: August 6 at 6:00 p.m.
Camp Instructor: Lilli Markey
Tuition: $200
Hone your acting and character skills in this outdoor drama camp! Campers work on acting technique and characterization through group exercises, games, and more. Instructors will help each camper choose an appropriate monologue that can be taken to auditions. Monologues will be presented to family and friends at the final showcase.

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Private Lessons

In-person and online private lessons available this summer! Zoom video lessons work the same way as in-person lessons as a weekly appointment on your lesson day and time with your music teacher, allowing students to study from home. Wharton Arts offers 30, 45 and 60-minute in-person and online lessons in summer packages of 4 or 9 lessons.

30 Minute Lessons – $49/Lesson | $188 for 4 Lessons | $405 for 9 Lessons
45 Minute Lessons – $72/Lesson | $282 for 4 Lessons | $607.50 for 9 Lessons
60 Minute Lessons – $96/Lessons | $376 for 4 Lessons | $810 for 9 Lessons

Need help getting started? Contact Director of Student Services Kristen Wuest at (908) 790-0700 or info@WhartonArts.org.

Register

Basic Composition for Instrumentalists

One Week of Composing for Instruments Virtually • Ages 9-14
8/9-8/13 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Camp Instructor: Craig Graham
Tuition: $175 Number of Participants: 8 maximum
In this online summer program campers will learn major scale theory, how to harmonize the major scale, diatonic chord progressions, phrases, passing, target and void notes, melodic and harmonic motives, song forms, tempos and time signatures, intros and endings, listening and analysis, lyric writing, and the study of musical styles. The class will compose songs and instrumental compositions as a group and individually to be shared on the last class.

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

JTole Summer Jazz Workshop at the New Jersey Youth Symphony

Two Weeks of Summer Jazz • All Ages
7/12-7/23 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Jazz Festival: Saturday, July 24
Workshop Instructor: Julius Tolentino
Tuition: $1,400
The JTole Summer Jazz Workshop in partnership with the New Jersey Youth Symphony educates and inspires young musicians to be confident, creative, and expressive individuals through jazz music. Students new to jazz, as well as the most experienced high school jazz musicians, are welcome to sign up for this two-week program. All students will be introduced to improvisation, practice techniques, jazz repertoire, music theory, and ensemble playing by renowned jazz musicians and experienced educators. Students will have opportunities to perform and showcase their work in performances and concerts. The workshop concludes with the students playing in a Jazz Festival with special guests. There is no audition needed and camp instructors will slot groups with a placement recording.

JTole Music has had a who’s who of jazz musicians work with its students, including Eddie Bert, Dion Parsons, Freddie Hendrix, Jimmy Greene, Kenny Rampton, Abraham Burton, Conrad Herwig, Bruce Williams, Marcus Printup, James Zollar, Vincent Gardner, Steve Davis, Alvester Garnett, Alvin Atkinson, Ali Jackson, Steve Turre, Bob Cranshaw, and many more.

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Meet the Instruments

One Week to Explore Instruments • Ages 5-8
7/19-7/23 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Camp Instructor: Margaret Persing
Tuition: $140 per week
Meet the Instruments will develop your child’s first instrument, themselves: through song, dance, rhythm, art, stories, and dramatic musical play. Each day your child will learn about a different family of instruments that will be the extension of their “internal instrument:” Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, Piano, and Percussion—with live instrument demonstrations.


Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Music Around the World Outside

Travel Around the World with Music • Ages 5-8
6/28-7/2 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Camp Instructor: Joyce Alexander
Tuition: $195
Explore and discover a new country every day under a cozy tent. Traditions and customs will be discussed as students have the opportunity to explore musical cultures via instruments, pictures, and traditional clothing. Campers will dance, sing, play games, and even learn a few words from each country. There will also be an arts and crafts project that each student will bring home. Grab your passports, sunscreen, and bon voyage!
*Face masks *Hand sanitizer *Social distancing of keyboards and arts and craft table (6 ft. apart)

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Pathways to Piano Summertime Fun

Summer Fun with the Piano • Ages 4.5-7
7/6-7/10 or 7/12-7/16
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Camp Instructor: Joyce Alexander
Tuition: $225 per week

Learn how to play the piano under the Big Top Tent! This two week intensive class is developmentally and age appropriately-designed for the beginning student. Students will learn how to locate notes on the piano, hand position, posture, rhythm, musical symbols, note values, and solfeggio—not to mention musical games and movement activities.  Be ready to hear your child play a song on the last day of class! Choice of one or two weeks.

*There is an opportunity to continue for two additional weeks (meeting twice a week) where students will continue where they left off, focusing on repertoire with an added component of music theory that prepares  your child for the next step of private lessons.
*Face masks *Hand sanitizer *Social distancing of keyboards and arts and craft table (6 ft. apart)

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Celebrate Theory Summer Workshop

Music Theory Summer Study • Ages 6+ Adults Welcome
Workshop Instructor: TBD
Following the Royal Conservatory’s Music Development Program, Celebrate Theory Summer Workshop online is designed to strengthen your music theory skills. Students will be placed in classes based on music theory level.Take the Music Theory Placement Test
Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Songwriting

One Week of Composing Songs Virtually • Ages 9-14
7/12-7/16 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Camp Instructor: Craig Graham
Tuition: $175 Number of Participants: 8 maximum
In this online summer camp students will learn to compose in major and minor keys, use advanced harmony (chords with extensions and inversions) and secondary dominant chords, analyze compositions, and use progressions with defending bass lines as well as key changes, odd time signatures, theme and variations, 12-bar jazz blues, 32-bar AABA form, and compose in several musical styles. All compositions will be shared in the last class.

Questions? Contact us at (908) 790-0700 or info@whartonarts.org.

Register

Enroll Now

Read what our students are saying about online private lessons in the Wharton Arts blog.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the virtual lessons have gone. Ben has been great and has even accommodated make-up lessons. This has been a really great alternative in light of the current situation.” ~ 2020 Piano Student Parent

Register