The University of Michigan-Flint’s annual Summer Vocal Academy of Music is just around the corner. Hosted by the UM-Flint Music program, the two-week academy is open to students in grades 5-12 who are interested in learning more about music while also making friends. Ellarie Prince, a recent UM-Flint graduate and former participant of the Summer Vocal Academy, appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the culture around her.
“Being a part of the Summer Vocal Academy allowed me to be exposed to the Flint culture without realizing it. I was able to make many friends during my time there. It eventually became a full circle moment for me because I transferred to UM-Flint,” Ellarie said.
The Summer Vocal Academy enables students to connect with their peers from surrounding areas, whom they may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Amy Lesko, whose daughter attended the Summer Vocal Academy for several years, said that the connections that her child made during that time have lasted for years after.
“I know that she has kept in touch with quite a few of her peers and even some of the educators from the Summer Vocal Academy. Since doing the Summer Vocal Academy, she now participates in the Holiday Pops every year, and has the opportunity to be in the same choir as some of the people who helped mentor her at the vocal academy,” said Amy.
The skills that students develop during the two weeks at Summer Vocal Academy are skills that they can apply to their future lives and careers. Kate Lawrence, who participated in the Summer Vocal Academy for two years, said that she uses the skills she learned in her everyday life.
“The Summer Vocal Academy allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the performing arts. Having the opportunity to learn and perfect the songs we were performing, while also making friends, was something for which I will be forever grateful,” Kate said. “One of the things I learned from Summer Vocal Academy that has helped me throughout my time at UM-Flint and can help me in my future career is being able to collaborate with others and work meticulously to turn out the best work possible.”
The Summer Vocal Academy can open students’ eyes to new experiences and opportunities, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to create impactful music, even at a young age. Andy Younger, whose twin daughters participated in their first Summer Vocal Academy last year and plan to attend this year, said that his girls were nervous going on their first day, but left with a different mindset.
“They did not know what to expect when they first started. They were a little reluctant because they thought it might be similar to school. But by the time we picked them up, their attitude had done a complete 180,” said Andy. “They were excited because they realized that they were going to be with other kids who shared similar interests, and they immediately met some friends to share that experience with. They were also surprised by how much they enjoyed harmonizing with others. This was the first opportunity they had to experience that with other kids of similar talent. During their time, they also picked up a deeper understanding and appreciation of what they were able to do musically. It wasn’t just singing all of the time; they also had the chance to learn different instruments and learn how to create music that was fun to listen to.”
The 2025 Summer Vocal Academy will take place from July 7 to 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A concert will close out the camp on July 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the UM-Flint Theatre. If you would like your child to have the opportunity to make lasting memories while learning about music, registration is open through the first day of camp.
