<p>I don’t think five options for summer camps is overkill. You want to be sure you go somewhere to hone and refine your skills this summer, and since many of your choices are competitive, there’s nothing wrong with having other choices in case one doesn’t work out. In fact, that’s a good idea! 
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<p>Interlochen is a little pricey, but they offer very good scholarships, both need-based and merit-based. I wouldn’t let that keep you from applying and then seeing what aid they give you if you get in. </p>
<p>In terms of renowned alumni, Interlochen boasts some fantastic singers: Jessye Norman, Ashley Putnam, and Lorraine Hunt Lieberson have all studied there. In terms of younger singers, too, Interlochen consistently turns out excellent musicians. They frequently do well in national competitions like the Classical Singer Comp, etc. </p>
<p>Definitely check with an administrator at Interlochen about arriving late. I don’t think it would cause a huge problem, as the first day is just a basic kind of orientation day with no classes, but it’s wise to ask and have a staff member’s approval.</p>
<p>NHSMI does winds, strings, and voice, while a separate department handles acting and musical theater. I went last summer and it was the best five weeks of my life. There’s a lot of independence, so it actually mimics the life of a college music major, as opposed to being herded from activity to activity at a summer camp. The level of instruction was amazing as well, though not many actual faculty teach.</p>
<p>EDIT: Well, apparently NHSMI got eliminated after last year. That makes me extremely sad, because it was such an awesome program, but yeah. Never mind. :'(</p>
<p>It was several years ago but my D loved the 6 weeks she spent at the Interlochen vocal summer camp- choral and operetta. She loved that it was in cabins, and she is still in touch with friends she made that summer. She even liked that they had uniforms- took the stress out of deciding what to wear. It was one of her favorite summers.</p>
<p>She was so glad she chose Interlochen over Westminster Choir College- that is a great place to learn to sing, but a dreary place to spend time in the summer.</p>
<p>And BTW, yes, there are solo opportunities- as part of a production, and/or to sing a piece in a student recital at the end of the program.</p>
<p>What about Idyllwild?
I went for the first time last summer for the symphony orchestra program, but I’m not sure how it is for voice. It’s about 2 hours away from Palm Springs in California. It is a boarding arts school similar to Interlochen just closer to civilization and no uniforms. The food is actually pretty good and you are in dorm rooms with bathrooms in them. It’s a TON of fun and you meat a lot of outstanding musicians from all over the world. I think the programs all vary in length and a lot of people stay for more than one session.</p>
<p>I went to the Eastman for their “summer horizons” camp and I really enjoyed it.</p>