UCM Summer Arts Camps: June 15-20, 2025

Campers interested in the Theatre & Dance arts are invited to experience a week packed with theatre and dance activities including production rehearsals, daily workshops in acting, dance, and design, theatre games and improvisation. Classes are taught by UCM faculty, alumni, and select students. Every camper will receive specialized coaching to help them reach their theatrical goals and to exercise the aspect of theatre that most interests them. 

New for 2025: Some of the Theater & Dance Classes will be divided into beginner and intermediate sections. 

Campers interested in exploring Studio Art, Design, and Illustration are invited to experience the UCM Art & Design Camp!  Campers will have options to work on painting technique, draw from the live model, sample a variety of printmaking processes, and gain an introduction in illustration concepts. Classes are taught by faculty and alumni in the Division of Art & Design at UCM. is 

(Note that Ceramics Class is not being offered in 2025; it will return to the line up in 2026!)

Every camper receives individualized instruction to develop their artistic skills, and will produce work to begin building a portfolio. The evenings are reserved for a variety of recreational and art-related activities. The week of art making culminates in an exhibition in the UCM Gallery of Art & Design.

As the preeminent music camp in Missouri, the UCM Summer Music Camp & Piano Institute offers young musicians an opportunity to immerse themselves in music study while having a ton of fun. 

Camp activities for all musicians  will be anchored in private lessons (4) and dynamic mixed ensemble experience (instrumental or choral), along with a daily performance workshop tailored to their area. They will also be able to choose from a selection of classes in the areas of music theory, technology, and history. Pianists will be especially excited to see the return of our evening-length Monster Sight Reading Party (repertoire to be posted in March 2025), which has been a highlight of the camp week for three and a half decades! 

Students whose primary interest is electronic music composition will be able to take advantage of our world-class Music Technology faculty and facilities!  

All music students should get ready to:

• Enjoy private lessons with award-winning faculty
• Participate in dynamic mixed ensembles and play music suited to your unique interests and ability levels all under the guidance of UCM conducting faculty. 
• Practice your instrument in our newly updated practice rooms while participating in ensembles and workshops coached by world-class music faculty.
• Perform for family, teachers and friends throughout the week 
• Make friends on and off the stage with music students from around the country.
• Get a head start on 2024-2025 All-State audition material in Audition Boot Camp.
• Join the fun during the Monster Ensemble Sight Reading Party.

UCM Summer Music Camp and Piano Institute is for all instrumental and choral students who have completed grades 7-12 during the 2023-24 academic year. 

• Piano Institute students should have had at least three years of private piano instruction.
• Instrumentalists should have completed at least one year of a school band program or private instruction on their instrument. 

Previous formal singing or choir instruction is not required for vocal students.

Campers will stay and eat in one of UCM’s air conditioned dormitories.  All Arts Camps students will be housed in the same dormitory, on co-ed floors, along with camp counselors. 

We recognize this may be many students' first residential summer camp. A high ratio of specially selected UCM music, art, and theater majors will serve as camp counselors. Their close supervision is designed to provide a safe and engaging experience for every camper. Students will be expected to remain on campus and be responsive to staff supervision at all times. 

Commuter students will be expected to attend the Sunday afternoon orientation at 4:00pm. Staying for the Sunday evening social activities is optional. Starting Monday, they will be expected to arrive on campus at 8am at their first activity of the day. They will be dismissed each day at 8:30pm at locations to be determined by their assigned evening activity. Counselors will supervise the dismissal/pickup of commuter students. Students who drive or bike to campus on their own will be required to sign out with a counselor each evening before leaving campus.

UCM is proud to be an All-Steinway School - a distinction only held by select universities worldwide! You’ll have ample practice time throughout the camp week to experience our newly updated practice rooms outfitted with Steinway and Boston pianos and receive coaching from dedicated counselors.

Click here for a list of what to bring!

• Medical Treatment Permission Form
• Photo Release Form

More info coming soon!

Music Camp/Piano Institute, and Theater & Dance Camp Tuition: $675
Art Camp Tuition: $750  
Camp tuition covers instruction, room & board in the UCM residence hall, planned recreation activities and camp t-shirt

Commuter Student Camp Tuition for Music Camp/Piano Institute, and Theater Camp:: $385.  
Commuter Student Camp Tuition for Art Camp: $460
Camp tuition covers instruction, planned recreation activities and camp t-shirt
Optional Meal Plan for Commuter Students who would like to eat lunch and dinner in the dormitory cafeteria with the residential students: $135

General camp, Music Camp / Piano Institute information:  Dr. Mia Kim mkim@ucmo.edu (660) 543-8900

Theatre & Dance Camp information:  Ms. Ashley Miller-Scully ALMiller@ucmo.edu