<p>My sister is a rising sophomore in high school and is very interested in Camp Encore/Coda specifically for their Vocal Performance training and Musical Theater. She wants to know how the program works, how intensive it is, and whether the musical theater program puts on a show (in three weeks). </p>
<p>Also, is it possible for a ‘conservatory’ student to participate in the musical theater production?</p>
<p>For some background, she is a Districts/All-State level Soprano II and has significant lead experience in school-sponsored productions.</p>
This is a few years late, but I think it’s worth posting for others that have similar questions.
I worked at Encore/Coda last year as a bunk counselor/theory teacher/chamber coach/ensemble player and would not recommend it for someone who wishes to receive high-level training in musical theater or vocal performance. The musical theater program for teens your sister’s age is run by undergraduate and sometimes graduate students, and only some are professionally trained. They do put on a musical at the end of the three weeks, but it was very poorly done. It was on the level of some bad middle school productions I’ve seen. The level of the performers and the faculty was very weak. I have seen much better productions put on by other camps with kids around the same age. Bottom line, this is a good program for someone that enjoys musical theater but does not want intensive or “real” training or is serious about it. They also don’t have professional facilities, such as an actual theater.Especially considering the cost of this camp, I don’t believe it is worth it.
I would recommend looking elsewhere. I attended Interlochen a few years ago and had two girls in my cabin that were part of the musical theater program, and I was extremely impressed with their production of “Carousal” (they did have twice as much time, though). It was better than any high school production I have ever seen. Most of these students were looking to be professional performers and the level of the students and the faculty was very high. Both of the girls are at high level conservatories now pursuing degrees in musical theater.