Vocal Arts Camp completes 5th year

UL Lafayette Vocal Arts Camp 2024

In late July, 20 high school students from all over the state joined the School of Music and Perfroming Arts faculty and counselors for a weeklong immersive summer music program for singers. Now in its fifth year, the UL Lafayette Vocal Arts Camp, founded and directed by Assistant Professor of Voice Kelly Ann Bixby, welcomes participants of varying experience and develops their interests through private voice lessons, diverse workshops, team building, and summer fun. The camp evokes the mission and identity of the collegiate music program at UL Lafayette: participants engage collaboratively and creatively, all with focused support from superb faculty including Natalie Connor (Assistant Director and voice instructor), Shawn Roy (voice), William Plummer (choir), Kristi Carr (dance), and Brandon Motz (acting). This year's yoga instructor was Lafayette resident, Samantha Johnson, who led morning sessions in beginner yoga and mindfulness.

Three UL music students, Morgan Burroughs, Gwyneth Rees, and Brad Chavis, served as the camp’s cheerful and conscientious counselor team, sharing a nearly 24/7 role in guiding the singers through a busy and dynamic week. With options to live in the dorms overnight or commute, Vocal Arts Camp serves a broad range of communities near and far. The clear highlight has always been the final presentation where participants demonstrate how they’ve shifted from being strangers to friends, and from being cautious to being proud of their passion and growing artistry.