Lawrence University continues to introduce and grow summer camps for youth interested in everything from theatre to music to aviation. These are in addition to the sports camps offered by Lawrence Athletics.
Theatre Camp
Summer at Lawrence Theatre (SaLT) Camp kicked off the fun June 16-21, bringing youth to Lawrence performance spaces for theatre education led by Lawrence’s Theatre Arts Department. The weeklong camp served elementary students with limited access to theatre programming.
The camp was taught by eight student-teachers, all of whom are emerging theatre creators or educators, and two Lawrence faculty members. It featured basic theatre education, skill-building, and games, culminating in a showcase of the participants’ weeklong experience.
Music camps
Up next are two music opportunities that have become staples of a Lawrence summer—the Lawrence Summer Music Institute (LSMI) and the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival (LCMF).
Piano professor Michael Mizrahi, director of Lawrence Summer Music Programs, works with a student during the 2024 Lawrence Summer Music Institute.
LSMI, now in its third year, welcomes 28 high school pianists and string players to campus July 6-13. Participants this year hail from eight U.S. states and the Dominican Republic. Institute participants live on campus for the week, where they meet fellow musicians, establish connections with Lawrence faculty, and experience life as a Lawrentian. Students have lessons and coaching with the Lawrence string and piano faculty, rehearse and perform advanced chamber music repertoire, and take classes focused on topics such as “Speaking from the Stage,” “Practicing,” and “Musician Wellness.”
In addition to their performance on campus on July 11 (7 p.m. in Harper Hall), participants perform in the Appleton community at venues such as Eagle Point Senior Living, Eagle Point Memory Care Unit, and Copper Rock Coffee. LSMI and the Fox Valley Youth Symphony co-commissioned local composer Theresa Martin to write a short piece (“Anchor”) for string orchestra and piano. LSMI students will have a chance to collaborate directly with the composer and give a world premiere at the July 11 performance.
LSMI performances (open to the public; admission is free) include:
- 7 p.m. July 9: Lawrence Summer Music Institute Faculty Concert, Harper Hall
- 7 p.m. July 11: Lawrence Summer Music Institute Student Concert, Harper Hall
- 2 p.m. July 12: Lawrence Summer Music Institute Student Concert, Copper Rock Coffee
- 10 a.m. July 13: Lawrence Summer Music Institute Concert for Kids, Harper Hall
Participants in the 2024 Lawrence Chamber Music Festival perform in Memorial Chapel.
The Lawrence Chamber Music Festival will then take place July 19 to Aug. 3. Designed for pre-professional artists (ages 18 and up), it is led by world-class music faculty and guest artists. Festival participants will curate performances and interact with communities at venues across the Fox Valley. This summer, 42 young musicians hailing from all over North America (including 25 U.S. states), will have daily rehearsals, opportunities for private lessons, master classes, workshops, and a unique and valuable experience creating and performing original arrangements at the Mile of Music Festival in downtown Appleton.
Michael Mizrahi , Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Music at Lawrence, serves as director of Lawrence Summer Music Programs.
“These summer music programs allow us to showcase our incredible faculty, campus resources, and strong musical culture here in Appleton,” Mizrahi said. “Students at the Lawrence Summer Music Institute come away with a unique and memorable experience that will stay with them as they consider where they want to attend college, and we've had a great number of LSMI alums matriculate at Lawrence. The Lawrence Chamber Music Festival situates Lawrence as an international hub for innovative musicians and creates the opportunity for dynamic engagement with our local community. LCMF offers unparalleled experiential learning opportunities while enhancing Lawrence's reputation as a leader in the music field."
Aviation Camp
Lawrence University is launching a first-of-its-kind Aviation Summer Camp for high school students in collaboration with multiple community partners. It runs July 7 to 10.
The inaugural camp will be a dynamic new experience designed to inspire and educate the next generation of aviation professionals. The initiative is made possible through a collaboration with industry leader Gulfstream Aerospace, flight training experts at Pilotsmith, flight simulator partner Fox Valley Lutheran High School, and Appleton International Airport (ATW).
The camp offers high school students a hands-on, immersive experience in the world of aviation. Participants will explore the fundamentals of flight, engage in simulator training, tour aircraft facilities, and interact with aviation professionals—from pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers and airport operations staff, including a special engagement with Lawrence alumna Gretchen Jahn ’73, an aviation executive and pilot.
“This partnership brings together the best of education, industry, and community,” said Alison Scott-Williams, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Lawrence. “We’re giving students a rare opportunity to explore aviation careers in a real-world setting, guided by some of the most respected names in the field.”
Highlights of the camp include:
- Flight simulator sessions and introductory flight lessons with Pilotsmith
- Behind-the-scenes tours of Gulfstream’s state-of-the-art facilities
- STEM-focused workshops hosted by Lawrence University faculty
- Career panels and mentorship from aviation professionals
- Airport operations and safety demonstrations at Appleton International Airport
The program is open to high school students from Wisconsin and beyond. While the camp has reached its enrollment limit, interested individuals are encouraged to register online to be added to the wait list. For more information or to register, visit https://atwairport.com/airport-info/events/aviation-summer-camp/
