Music Academy

Take your talent to the next level—and showcase it.

Spend two weeks in a camp designed to refine your musical skills and hone your creativity. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of music as you learn from expert musicians. By participating in practices, competitions, and performances, you’ll stretch your skills on a daily basis. Surrounded by other talented young musicians, you’ll learn about music’s part in history, culture, and worship—and how to use music to reach others for Christ.

Registration is open to campers from 14 to 18 years old who have just completed or are entering into grades 9–12.

Filling Quickly

July 10–22

Cultivate

your knowledge of composers, musical time periods, and music theory in sessions designed to deepen your music appreciation.

Compete

with your team in a variety of musical games, and work together to compose a brand-new song from Scripture.

Challenge

yourself to master exciting music for the closing Gala Concert, which will amaze your family and friends (old and new)!

Family and Friends Are Invited!


On Friday, July 21, Music Academy will host two events that your family and friends won’t want to miss!

  • 1 p.m. CT The Honors Recital(Mullenix Chapel) showcases the most outstanding solo and chamber performances.
  • 7 p.m. CT The Gala Concert(Dale Horton Auditorium) features the entire Music Academy Concert Choir and Orchestra.

No reservations are needed.

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Music
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Preparing for Music Academy

While at Music Academy, you’ll be performing both individually and within ensembles. There are so many vocal, choral, and orchestral groups available for you to join! When you arrive, you’ll be placed with an ensemble of other campers that match your unique skills, and you’ll perform with them throughout the week. Here’s how you can prepare for this:

  1. Choose piano, voice, or an orchestral instrument to focus on while you’re at camp. (Choose only one.)
  2. Make an audio or video recording of yourself performing 1–2 pieces to show your current ability.
  3. Submit the recording to reservations@youthoutreachcamps.com. (Most file formats are accepted.)

If you’re not able to submit a recording before coming to camp, you can also audition when you get here to determine your place in the orchestra seating or vocal ensembles. Pianists will be asked to play a familiar song from the hymnal.

What to Expect

Private Instruction in Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Piano, or Voice
Music Theory
State-of-the-Art Practice Rooms
Music Appreciation
Orchestra & Choir Rehearsals
Friendly Competition
Honors Recital
Daily Bible challenges
And more!

And however you spend your free time, you’ll be spending it with newfound friends. From climbing the rock wall to cooling off at the ice-skating rink or testing your skills on the FlowRider—it’s all waiting for you. Check out a full list of activities.

Meet Your Camp Director

Miss Graby

Miss Cindy Graby

Miss Cindy Graby graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a degree in piano performance and earned a Master of Arts degree from Louisiana State University. For the past 30 years, she has taught piano at PCC and been actively involved in the music ministry at Campus Church.

Miss Graby has been part of the faculty for Summer Music Academy since it began under the direction of Dr. and Mrs. Alberto Jaffé in 1995. This will be her 10th year to serve as the director. She consistently encourages young people to use their musical abilities for God’s glory.

Guest Instructor

Ben Everson

Evangelist Ben Everson

Ben Everson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in church ministries in 2001 and completed an additional 60 hours of graduate study at McClosky Institute of Voice. A seasoned instructor and vocal specialist known for his songwriting and a capella performances, Mr. Everson has performed over 6,000 concerts across 45 states and several foreign countries and has been welcomed to lecture at universities nationwide.

Mr. Everson’s repertoire of music is available on his YouTube channel or on his website. It has touched hearts around the world—and this summer, Mr. Everson’s decades of experience have arrived at Music Academy as he invests in the next generation of musicians.

Your Music Academy Instructors

You’ll learn from accomplished musicians and experienced Pensacola Christian College music faculty. Many of them have studied under the late Dr. Alberto Jaffé or his wife, Daisy <--cseignorespelling-->DeLuca Jaffé—the developers of the well-known Jaffé Strings Method and Advanced Piano Relaxation Techniques.