Summer Pre-College Programs

SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMS

SESSION 1: June 5–16, 2023

(residential stay June 4–17, 2023)

Details: Courses run 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some courses may have final performances or events outside these hours, please see individual course descriptions.

Cost: Program fees are $645.00 with the option to enroll for 2.0 university credits. Residential stay with all meals included is an additional $795.00.

ART + DESIGN

Design Studio

Students in Design Studio use the fundamentals of the design process to find creative solutions to the questions of tomorrow. Projects span analog and digital methods to explore typography, pattern design, spatial design, 3D modelling and printing, and students complete individual pieces and work collaboratively to develop larger structures. Visiting professionals from a variety of design areas share their experiences with students as they build skills toward effecting lasting change through design. 

No previous software experience is required; all supplies are provided.

Fiber: Stitching a Story

This course explores the exciting convergence of storytelling and fabrics, tracing historical paths from what could be called the first comic books to contemporary artwork being produced today. Students will generate their own text through creative writing exercises and learn to translate their language into unique objects, using techniques like embroidery, printmaking, quilting, and weaving.

All supplies are provided.

Painting + Drawing Studio

This immersive studio experience helps students develop their individual painting and drawing practices through explorations of material, composition, and scale. Wet and dry media are introduced, including charcoal, pastel, and acrylic paint, and students will complete individually-driven projects informed by contemporary art practices.

All supplies are provided.

FILM

Summer Film Lab

Students with an interest in story-telling will create individual short films from initial screenwriting to final production in this intensive film-making lab. Working collaboratively to realize each other’s projects, students will have the opportunity to explore the different roles and equipment used on a professional film set. The course explores documentary and narrative modes using historical and contemporary examples, and culminates in a final screening of student work on Friday evening.

No previous software or camera experience is required; all supplies are provided.

THEATER

Musical Theater

In this intensive and interdisciplinary course, students develop skills in acting, dance, and vocal performance as they train with faculty in the School of Theater, Music, and Dance to create the next generation of musical theater. Professional techniques in contemporary and alternative singing styles are introduced, along with modern and jazz dance techniques. The course culminates in a final review-style performance on Friday evening featuring student interpretations of contemporary works.

Students will need to provide solid-color performance attire and dance shoes.

SESSION 2: June 26–30, 2023

(residential stay June 25–July 1, 2023)

Details: Courses run 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday unless specifically noted otherwise. Some courses may have final performances or events outside these hours, please see individual course descriptions.

Cost: Program fees are $375.00 with the option to enroll for 1.0 university credit. Residential stay with all meals included is an additional $395.00.

ART + DESIGN

Introduction to the Figure

Working from the nude model, students gain an understanding of figurative tradition and contemporary
practices that explore issues and images of the body. Students explore drawing, painting, and other
forms of mark-making to investigate perceptions of the human figure.

All supplies are provided.

NOTE: Nude figure models will be present in the classroom. All students must abide by the student code of conduct to maintain a mature and respectful classroom environment.

Photography: Digital and Alternative Processes

Photos are powerful conduits for connection. They are a language all their own and continue to evolve. This one-week course invites students to explore the possibilities of different ways photography can tell stories, strengthen relationships, and be shared. Through artist introductions, assignments, and in-class training, students will make photos focused on creative expression, technique, and relevancy. We will specifically focus on introductory digital photography, darkroom photograms, and cyanotypes. Discussions and assignments center around the impact of photography in our lives and the significance of contemporary photographic art. Students learn how to read an image and articulate conceptual and formal qualities of photographs.  

Projects cover a variety of photo related topics, for example, how the history of photography relates to selfie culture and social media, why this scientific invention relies heavily on art and design principals, and how all images belong to an archive in time. Each assignment tasks students with creating their own photos and sharing images as a group through peer critique. The class will culminate with a display of student work a variety of fine art quality prints, and some exploratory sharing of artwork.

DANCE

Summer Dance Institute with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, a premier African-American contemporary dance organization, joins the Ohio University School of Dance to present daily classes in technique, composition, and repertory, culminating in a new student work performed in the Shirley Wimmer Dance Theater on Saturday, July 1, 2023. The Summer Dance Institute also offers professional development workshops with DCDC company dancers and School of Dance faculty, building the skills and knowledge necessary for making a career in the arts. This intensive is recommended for intermediate and advanced level dancers.

Learn more about the Summer Dance Institute

FILM

Animation Lab

This course introduces students to digital and analog animation with skills and applications for both narrative animation and visual effects. Using open-source software, students have the opportunity to build skills and develop a short animation project.

No previous software experience is required; all supplies are provided.

MUSIC

OHIO Summer Music Academy

The OHIO Summer Music Academy is designed for high school musicians and performers who want to enhance their musicianship, develop their performance skills, and collaborate with talented high school musicians from around the world. Along with our award-winning faculty, the program welcomes distinguished musicians and performing artists to work with students and share their experiences in the field. Students in all areas receive individual instruction and participate in group practice sessions and seminars each day, though individual schedules may vary. The program ends with a finale concert on Saturday, July 1, 2023, in the Ohio University Recital Hall.

The OHIO Summer Music Academy includes the following five streams:

• OHIO Summer Music Academy: Band Camp
  The OHIO Summer Band Camp is an immersive experience designed for high school brass, woodwind, and percussion students. Daily classes include both large ensemble sessions and master classes with instrumental faculty, in addition to seminars that explore content such as conducting, different musical styles, and marching band. Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday in the Ohio University Recital Hall.
• OHIO Summer Music Academy: Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments
  Ohio University’s new Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments program offers an opportunity for students to combine popular music and technology to create their own musical works. Composition and performance is taught through hands-on experiences with a wide range of digital instruments including loopers, MIDI controllers, digital audio workstations, beat making software, and synthesizers. Students benefit from individual and group instruction, as well as seminars that explore a wide variety of musical styles. Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday, July 1, in the Ohio University Recital Hall.
• OHIO Summer Music Academy: Piano
  The OHIO Summer Music Academy Piano program provides pre-collegiate students with the opportunity to study piano in a stimulating and nurturing learning environment under the guidance of our distinguished artist faculty and guests. The program also provides participants with both individual and group instruction, supervised practice time, master classes, ensemble study, performance opportunities, and seminars on a variety of topics (i.e. jazz piano, organ, practice strategies, careers in music, etc.). Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday in the Ohio University Recital Hall.
• OHIO Summer Music Academy: Strings
  The OHIO Summer Music Academy Strings program is an immersive experience designed for high school strings students. Daily classes include both large and chamber ensemble sessions and master classes with instrumental faculty, in addition to seminars that explore a variety of musical styles and practice. Participants may perform in a culminating finale concert on Saturday, July 1, in the Ohio University Recital Hall.
• OHIO Summer Music Academy: Voice
  High school students interested in voice performance work directly with our distinguished vocal music faculty and guests to build their voices and develop their singing techniques.  Vocal music students will explore contemporary a capella, choral music, vocal music recording, and live stage performance in addition to explorations of composition, music theory, and studies of extraordinary vocal performers. Participants will have several opportunities for public performance during the program including the finale concert on Saturday, July 1, in the Ohio University Recital Hall.

Learn more about the Summer Music Academy

THEATER

Acting Intensive

This course gives high school students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of what it means to be a theater artist today. The week-long program offers training in acting, movement, voice, and devised theater. Participants sharpen their performance and audition skills, refine their creative voices, and work rigorously in a supportive and collaborative environment with faculty and visiting artists. The immersive training culminates in a final showing of student work on Friday, June 30.