A Closer Look at Academy of Music Summer Camp
Part of the GRKIDS.com 2026 Summer Camp Guide!
This summer, students of all ages and experience levels can discover the joy of music and the arts at Academy of Music summer camps.
Through hands-on learning, creative collaboration, and expert instruction, campers build musical skills while growing confidence, patience, and teamwork—all in a fun, supportive environment.
With convenient camp locations in both Jenison and Grand Rapids, planning a meaningful summer experience has never been easier.
Look At Academy of Music in Grand Rapids & Jenison Academy of Music
Academy of Music in Grand Rapids & Jenison Academy of Music Photos
Q&A with Academy of Music in Grand Rapids & Jenison Academy of Music
What makes your camp stand out from the rest?
Academy of Music’s Summer Music & Performing Arts Camps offer a unique blend of creativity, structure, and expert instruction that sets them apart from typical summer programs.
Our camps are designed for children who love music, movement, and self-expression—and for families who value quality, small-group learning, and meaningful growth.
Unlike large, one-size-fits-all camps, our sessions are intentionally small and personalized, with limited enrollment to ensure every child is seen, supported, and encouraged.
Students don’t just participate—they progress. Whether stepping onstage in Musical Theatre, accelerating piano skills in Piano Express, or discovering the joy of ukulele, campers gain real skills, confidence, and pride in their accomplishments.
Our instructors are experienced music and performing arts educators who specialize in working with children. They create a warm, inclusive environment where beginners feel comfortable and returning students are challenged.
Each camp balances focused instruction with fun, collaboration, and creativity—so learning feels exciting, not overwhelming.
Parents love that our camps culminate in informal performance opportunities, giving children a chance to share what they’ve learned in a positive, low-pressure setting.
These moments build confidence, communication skills, and a sense of achievement that lasts far beyond summer.
With thoughtfully designed programs, age-appropriate groupings, and a reputation for excellence in music education, Academy of Music camps provide more than entertainment. They offer an enriching experience where children grow artistically, socially, and personally.
If you’re looking for a summer camp that combines fun, learning, and lasting impact, Academy of Music is where creativity takes center stage.
Anything new or exciting this year?
Summer 2026 is especially exciting at Academy of Music because we’re expanding our summer camp offerings to both of our locations in Grand Rapids and Jenison.
This marks a big milestone for our program and reflects our commitment to serving families throughout the community.
Over the past year, we’ve been completing a major buildout at our Jenison location, intentionally designed to support high-quality summer camps as well as group instruction year round.
The expansion includes multiple large classrooms and a dedicated dance and musical theatre space, allowing us to offer the same engaging, creative camp experiences our Grand Rapids families have loved. It is now closer to home for Jenison area students.
This expansion means more camp options, more flexibility, and smaller group sizes, all while maintaining the personalized instruction and warm environment families expect from Academy of Music.
Students in Jenison can now fully participate in Musical Theatre, Piano Express, and Ukulele Island Jam camps in a space designed specifically for movement, collaboration, and performance.
We’re thrilled to give more children the opportunity to explore music and performing arts in a setting built for creativity and confidence.
By offering camps at both locations, families can choose the environment that works best for them while enjoying the same high standards of instruction, care, and fun.
This summer represents growth not just in space, but in opportunity and we’re excited to welcome both new and returning campers to experience it.
What’s a typical day like from start to finish?
Each Academy of Music summer camp runs for three hours, either 9 AM–12 PM or 12:30–3:30 PM, and is carefully structured to balance focused learning, creativity, and fun.
While each camp has its own musical focus, every day follows a predictable, supportive rhythm that helps students feel comfortable and confident.
Camp begins with a group welcome and warm-up, designed to help students settle in, connect with their peers, and prepare their minds and bodies for music-making.
From there, students dive into hands-on instruction tailored to their specific camp - whether that’s singing, acting, and dancing in Musical Theatre; fast-paced reading and playing in Piano Express; or strumming, rhythm, and ensemble work in Ukulele Island Jam.
Throughout the day, instructors rotate between guided instruction, group activities, and interactive games, keeping energy high and engagement strong.
Lessons are broken into manageable segments so students stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. Collaboration is a key part of every camp. Students learn to listen, work as a team, and support one another.
Short movement or creativity breaks are built in to keep campers refreshed, especially during more intensive learning sections.
As the day wraps up, students review what they’ve learned and prepare to share their progress.
Many camps conclude with a brief parent share time, where families are invited to see highlights from the day or week. These moments reinforce confidence and celebrate growth in a relaxed, encouraging environment.
Each day blends structure with joy so campers leave feeling accomplished, inspired, and excited to return.
What do you wish more parents knew before camp starts?
When we ask children what they loved most about camp, we hear wonderful answers: learning new songs, mastering piano pieces, making friends, laughing during group games, and performing together. And all of that is true.
Music camps are fun, engaging, and memorable. But what we wish parents knew is that something deeper is happening alongside the music.
A musical learning environment naturally builds personal skills that extend far beyond the camp week.
As students learn to sing, play, move, and collaborate, they are also developing confidence, focus, patience, coordination, and resilience.
They practice listening, taking turns, expressing ideas, and working as part of a team. They learn how to stay with a challenge, how to recover from mistakes, and how to show poise when sharing their work with others.
These changes are often subtle, but powerful. We see children stand a little taller, speak a little more clearly, and take pride in what they’ve accomplished.
For some, it’s the first time they’ve felt comfortable performing in front of others. For others, it’s discovering they can learn something new faster than they expected.
Music provides a safe, structured space for personal growth and transformation. The skills students build during camp (discipline, creativity, collaboration, and confidence) don’t stay in the classroom. They carry into school, friendships, future learning, and life’s bigger moments.
Our goal is not just to teach music, but to help children grow into capable, expressive, and confident individuals. Music is the vehicle, but the impact lasts far beyond the final performance.
Sign Up Today!
Your summer-self will thank your past-self for signing your kiddos up for camp at the Academy of Music.
