UNCSA announces summer intensives and community programs in Dance, Drama, Filmmaking, Music and Visual Arts, with new and expanded offerings

UNCSA has announced details for its 2026 Summer Intensives in Dance , Drama, Filmmaking, Animation, Music, Visual Arts and more, with expanded offerings that include the launch of the North Carolina Piano Festival and Summer Dance Intensives under the leadership of Ilya Kozadayev.

UNCSA also offers summer day camps and evening classes for younger students and adults during June and July as part of its summer community programs, including the new Musical Theatre Youth Intensive and Junior Appalachian Musicians summer camps.

Led by UNCSA faculty and acclaimed guest artists, the Summer Intensives embody the conservatory-level training found in the school’s high school, undergraduate and graduate programs. These immersive programs provide hands-on learning, performance opportunities and access to UNCSA’s cutting-edge facilities and equipment. Most Summer Intensives are designed for high school students, while additional summer day camps and evening classes for younger students and adults are offered through UNCSA’s summer community programs. Registration and audition information, if required, is available at www.uncsa.edu/summer.

“Each summer, students of all ages come to UNCSA to experience the kind of focused, immersive training that defines our conservatory community,” said Cameron MacManus, director of Community and Summer Programs. “This year’s expanded offerings give students of different ages, disciplines and experience levels more ways to explore their artistry, learn from exceptional faculty and guest artists, and imagine what their next step in the arts can look like.”

Dance Intensives

June 21-July 17 (ages vary)

The School of Dance at UNCSA offers summer programs designed to support dancers at different stages of their training, including four-week classical ballet and contemporary intensives and the two-week DANCE | CONNECTION NOW program for advanced dancers. This year, UNCSA welcomes new Summer Dance Intensive Program Director Ilya Kozadayev. Kozadayev serves as an associate professor of ballet at the School of Dance and is the artistic director and choreographer of UNCSA’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

DANCE | CONNECTION NOW

June 28-July 10 (ages 15-25, video audition required)

DANCE | CONNECTION NOW invites advanced dancers to immerse themselves in the creative processes, teaching methodologies and repertory of today’s influential choreographers. The intensive is designed to challenge and inspire dancers while accelerating their growth as professional artists.

Each day includes rigorous contemporary technique classes and creative practice sessions that expand students’ range in improvisation, composition and phrase work. The intensive culminates with a stage performance featuring a new original work choreographed by an artist from the Choreographic Institute at UNCSA.

A video audition is required for acceptance to DANCE | CONNECTION NOW. Audition requirements and video submission links are available on the apply and audition page.

Classical Ballet and Contemporary Intensive

June 21-July 17 (ages 12-18, audition required)

This four-week intensive offers specialized tracks in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance , providing rigorous daily instruction in technique, partnering, variations, phrase work, composition, improvisation, repertory and more. Students benefit from a low faculty-to-student ratio and access to cross-training in Pilates, yoga and conditioning. Elective classes include jazz, musical theater, hip-hop, ballroom and dance for film. Seminars and Q&As explore career paths, dancer wellness, injury prevention and mental health. The intensive concludes with a professionally produced performance in an on-campus theater, featuring original works created during the program.

“Summer is such an important time for dancers because the training is short yet intense, and in many ways reflects both the pace of our year-round program here at UNCSA and the physical demands of a professional dance company,” said Kozadayev, director of summer intensive program. “Because students are working toward a final performance, the expectations are high. Our world-class faculty lead the classes and rehearsals, and students can make a lot of growth in a short amount of time. Our goal is to offer this rigorous training in an environment where dancers feel supported and encouraged.” 

Drama Summer Intensive

June 21-July 11 (ages 15-18)

The UNCSA Drama Summer Intensive offers the opportunity to study with faculty from the renowned School of Drama, along with distinguished guest artists. The three-week, in-person program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to actor training for stage, film and television and is open to students age 15 through age 18, rising high school sophomores or high school seniors.

Participants choose from two tracks, acting or musical theater, both designed to strengthen core performance skills and prepare students for conservatory-level training. The acting track includes monologue preparation, text analysis, voice work, mask and movement, and on-camera technique. The musical theater track features private voice lessons, ensemble work, dance focused on musical theater and jazz, mask and movement, and on-camera technique. UNCSA alumnus and television and Broadway actor/singer Wesley Taylor (“Only Murders in the Building,” “Smash,” “The Addams Family”) will teach musical theater classes. Both tracks provide on-camera training and conclude with a final showcase of student work.

Admission to the program is by audition and enrollment is limited to 75 students to ensure small class sizes and individualized instruction.

“The Drama Summer Intensives give young actors a real sense of what it means to train with focus, discipline and curiosity,” said Summer Drama Program Director Quin Gordon, a veteran Drama faculty member. “Whether they are preparing for college auditions or simply taking the next step in their artistic development, students leave with a clearer understanding of their craft, their voice and the work required to grow.”

Filmmaking Intensive

June 21-July 18 (high school students and rising college freshmen)

The Filmmaking Summer Intensive is a comprehensive four-week program designed for aspiring filmmakers to immerse themselves in all aspects of narrative filmmaking. Held at Studio Village, the unique on-campus movie set at UNCSA, the program gives students hands-on experience in screenwriting, cinematography, directing, producing and digital editing.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their own individual short narrative films while gaining an understanding of the creative, analytical, organizational and cooperative elements of filmmaking. They will work with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, receive professional instruction from artist-teachers, and get coaching and feedback from college teaching assistants. In addition to developing their own projects, students will serve in key crew positions and participate in screenings and critiques of works in progress.

The program offers curricula for rising filmmakers, students with no prior experience, advanced filmmakers, returning students, and students with previous filmmaking courses and experience. Both U.S. and international students are welcome to participate. The program is led by Janos Kovacsi, a longtime Filmmaking faculty member, writer, director and stage director.

Animation Intensive

June 21-July 17 (rising high school freshmen through incoming college freshmen)

The Animation Summer Intensive, hosted by the School of Filmmaking, offers a unique, hands-on introduction to the world of animation for both first-time and returning students. Open to rising high school freshmen through incoming college freshmen, this program is divided into two sessions. Session 1, which runs June 21-July 3, is designed for beginning animators, while Session 2, which runs July 5-17, caters to both introductory and advanced students, making it ideal for returning participants. Students can also opt to combine both sessions for an immersive four-week experience.

Through this intensive program, students will learn the fundamentals of animation, including visual storytelling, storyboarding, cinematography, directing, animation production, editing and sound design. They will gain hands-on experience in both hand-drawn animation and 3D computer animation. The curriculum also includes workshops on screenwriting, character design and acting for animators, as well as presentations and screenings that expand their understanding of the history and techniques of animated storytelling. In addition to individual instruction from professional animators, students will collaborate with peers to develop their skills and produce their own animated works. The program culminates in a final screening festival and reception for students to showcase their projects to family and friends. Joe Lopina and Keith Hobgood of the School of Filmmaking will lead the intensive.

Music Intensives

June 13-July 17 (ages vary)

The School of Music offers Music Summer Intensives that provide aspiring musicians with immersive, in-person training in a dynamic and supportive environment. These programs offer one-on-one training, ensemble experiences, and performance and demonstration opportunities led by renowned Music faculty and guest artists. Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities including concert halls, a comprehensive music library and a conservatory campus that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration.

This year’s expanded music offerings include the launch of the North Carolina Piano Festival for pre-college and college-age pianists and the addition of new Junior Appalachian Musicians summer camps through the Community Music School.

“The Summer Music Intensives give students the time and space to focus deeply on their craft while being surrounded by faculty, guest artists and peers who are equally committed to artistic growth,” said Dean Saxton Rose of the School of Music. “This year’s expanded offerings, from the North Carolina Piano Festival to the Junior Appalachian Musicians summer camps, create more pathways for students of different ages and backgrounds to build technique, explore musical traditions and experience the depth of training UNCSA offers.”

North Carolina Piano Festival 

June 21-July 10 (ages 16-26, with advanced students ages 14-15 considered on a case-by-case basis)

The School of Music has expanded its summer piano offerings with the inaugural North Carolina Piano Festival (NCPF), designed for advanced pre-college and college-age pianists. Students can choose from two- or three-week options that include lessons, master classes, recitals, outreach concerts and other daytime, evening and weekend activities.

The NCPF brings together distinguished resident artists and renowned guest pianists for a celebration of performance, collaboration and artistry. From master classes to recitals, the festival fosters an environment of artistic excellence and community that reflects UNCSA’s tradition of cultivating the next generation of exceptional musicians.

The festival is directed by Music faculty member Dmitri Shteinberg, who will teach alongside Music alumnus and faculty member Dmitri Vorobiev. Distinguished guest artists include Arthur Greene and William Wolfram.

Summer Piano Intensive

June 21-July 3 (ages 12-16)

Taught by Music faculty members Dmitri Shteinberg and Dmitri Vorobiev, the Summer Piano Intensive is a unique immersive experience for pianists ages 12-16, designed to support emerging talent. Students can choose from one- or two-week sessions that offer private lessons, workshops, master classes and performance opportunities.

All participants receive individual instruction, in addition to workshops and seminars. The curriculum emphasizes core skills such as sight-reading, quick study, improvisation, ensemble performance and more. Students perform in master classes and Friday concerts.

Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, including three performance venues and a dedicated piano practice wing with 14 soundproof rooms and grand pianos. UNCSA features a collection of Steinway instruments, including four Model D concert grands and a Model B.

Summer Composition/Music Technology Intensive

July 6-17 (high school and college students)

The Summer Composition/Music Technology Intensive is a two-week program for high school and college students interested in exploring their creative voice through composition. Led by Music faculty member Jared Miller, the hybrid program includes one week of online instruction followed by an in-person week on campus. Students engage in private composition lessons, group theory and instrumentation classes, music technology seminars, and professional reading and recording sessions. The intensive also features workshops on topics such as college applications, copyright and networking for composers.

Harp Summer Intensive

June 21-26 (ages 12 to adult)

As part of the Harp Summer Intensive, UNCSA will host the American Harp Academy, led by artist faculty member Jacquelyn Bartlett, offering a weeklong program for harpists to deepen their artistry and expand their repertoire. The program brings together a global community of musicians for intensive training with world-class performers and teachers. The program welcomes all skill levels and is designed to support preparation for competitions, auditions and recitals.

Pipe Organ Encounter and Pipe Organ Intensive

July 12-17 (ages 13-18)

The Summer Pipe Organ Encounter (POE) and Pipe Organ Intensive (POI) are five-day dual-track programs designed for young musicians interested in developing their skills on the pipe organ. POE gives young pianists with intermediate piano proficiency the opportunity to explore the pipe organ, while POI allows young organists with at least one year of organ study or prior participation in an American Guild of Organists Pipe Organ Encounter to deepen their knowledge of the instrument and its repertoire.

Taught by UNCSA faculty member and Organ Department Chair Timothy Olsen, the programs emphasize both technical development and artistic growth. Through individual lessons and group instruction, participants strengthen their foundation in pipe organ technique, service playing, improvisation and fundamentals.

The intensive also includes sessions on organ literature, history, construction and design, as well as opportunities to explore the role of the sacred musician through ecumenical worship. Evening concerts featuring pipe organs in Winston-Salem and Greensboro give students additional exposure to the instrument while connecting them with peers who share their interests.

Voice Summer Intensive

June 21-July 10 (rising seventh graders through rising high school seniors)

The Summer Voice Intensive offers a dynamic and immersive three-week training program for rising high school students, led by School of Music voice faculty, alumni and guest artists. With a focus on developing the complete artist and singing actor, the program integrates private lessons, group classes and cross-disciplinary training in drama, movement and musicianship.

Students explore a variety of musical styles including classical art song, opera, musical theater and folk, while enhancing their vocal technique and stage presence. Daily classes include Alexander Technique or yoga, music theory and aural skills, improvisation, musical theater and workshops on auditioning, vocal health, social media and more. Students also have opportunities to fine-tune their audition materials and record prescreen auditions in UNCSA’s state-of-the-art performance facilities.

The program is directed by soprano Amanda Moody-Schumpert, an alumna of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institutewho has directed Summer Voice since 2013. Faculty also includes Elizabeth Pacheco Rose, Norris Norwoodand Music faculty members Jodi Burns and Polina Khatsko. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and artistry to support and inspire the next generation of vocal performers.

Visual Arts Intensive

June 21-July 17 (ages 14-18)

The Visual Arts Summer Intensive offers classes in drawing and design for students ages 14-18. Students explore historical art concepts and practices, contemporary imagery, and the philosophical and mechanical aspects of the art experience through slide shows, lectures, library assignments and critiques.

Design, taught by High School Visual Arts faculty member Kaitlin Wilson Botts, is a studio course offering an introduction to the basic elements of design, helping students develop visual problem-solving skills in a variety of media and sharpen a sense of optical awareness and craftsmanship. Studies addressing line, value, proportion, perspective, principles of design and layout are employed to facilitate artistic interpretation and compositional control.

Assistant Dean and Director of Visual Arts Will Taylor will teach drawing, a studio course designed to provide students with a solid drawing foundation, including elements of line, gesture, shape, value, texture, space, scale, proportion, composition and perspective. Students will develop their ability to articulate the ideas, options, obstacles and motivations that direct the drawing process. Assignments and exercises will help students develop technical skills and broaden conceptual thinking. No portfolio is required.

Cross-disciplinary Electives

Optional cross-disciplinary electives are available evenings and weekends for an additional cost for Dance, Drama and Filmmaking summer intensives. These electives allow students to explore areas beyond their discipline focus and are offered on a space-available basis. Students are responsible for ensuring their elective schedule does not conflict with required training.

Community Summer Programs

June-July (ages 5-16, plus adult)

UNCSA also offers summer day camps and evening classes for younger students and adults. Offerings include the new Acting Out Summer Musical Theatre Youth Intensive, Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) summer camps for youth and adults through the Community Music School, and the growing Young Dancer Summer Intensive through Preparatory Dance.

The Musical Theatre Youth Intensive, led by Acting Out Director Fayth Caruso, is open to rising sixth through ninth graders and is designed for emerging musical theater performers. The program provides a supportive and professional environment for students to build confidence and strengthen foundational skills in acting, musical theater dance, voice, improvisation and repertoire study. Students may apply for one or two weeks and each week concludes with an informal presentation of classwork.

The Junior Appalachian Musicians summer camps introduce youth and adult participants to old-time and bluegrass traditions through group instruction, ensemble playing and community music-making. The camps include opportunities to learn fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, upright bass and more, with a focus on learning by ear and connecting music to Appalachian culture. The youth day camp is open to students in grades 4-12 and invites young musicians of all experience levels to explore old-time music in a welcoming, hands-on environment. The adult camp will offer a relaxed, community-focused setting for participants of all experience levels to explore traditional Appalachian styles through group instruction and guided jam sessions. Both camps emphasize collaboration, listening and shared learning and the week culminates in a joint performance on Friday, July 24.

The Young Dancer Summer Intensive, directed by Preparatory Dance Director Monica Stephenson, is open to beginner and intermediate dancers ages 8-13. The two-week intensive offers young dancers a professional yet nurturing environment with classes in ballet technique, pointe or pre-pointe, male technique, West African dance, contemporary or tap, history and theory, and progressing ballet technique body conditioning.

UNCSA community summer programs include:

• Acting Out day camps (rising grades 3-9)
• Musical Theatre Youth Intensive (rising grades 6-9)
• Young Dancer Summer Intensive (ages 8-13)
• Children's Storybook Summer Dance Camp(ages 5-7)
• Open Adult Summer Dance Intensive(ages 16 and up)
• Learn to Sing in a Summer(ages 7-11)
• Singers' Summer Tune-Up (18 and up)
• Band Together Summer Day Camp(rising grades 7-9)
• Junior Appalachian Musicians Summer Day Camp (grades 4-12)
• Junior Appalachian Musicians Summer Camp for Adults

Visit our community program summer pages for more information and registration for Community Summer Programs. 

Visit our summer intensive pages for information, registration and audition scheduling for UNCSA Summer Intensives.

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