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MSU Community Music School plays host to young performer summer camp

July 23, 2014
<p>Ypsilanti, Mich., resident Alexis Pleasent, 10, practices for a performance on July 23, 2014 at the MSU Community Music School. The campers come to the MSU Community Music School several days a week and practice musical theatre skills. Jessalyn Tamez/The State News</p>

Ypsilanti, Mich., resident Alexis Pleasent, 10, practices for a performance on July 23, 2014 at the MSU Community Music School. The campers come to the MSU Community Music School several days a week and practice musical theatre skills. Jessalyn Tamez/The State News

Photo by Jessalyn Tamez | The State News

The school, which is known for its work with music therapy and student tutors from the MSU community, has hosted the camp for the last four years, director of  Children and Youth Choirs at the MSU Community Music School Kyle Zeuch said.

“The kids get to do some dancing, some singing and even make some props,” Zeuch said. “We really hope that the kids come away with a renewed excitement for music.”

MSU students studying in the College of Music frequently give instrument and singing lessons at the MSU Community School.

At the end of the two-week camp, students ranging in age from second grade to 12th grade give a final performance. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Time,” so the students spent last week and this week learning choreography and lyrics to popular fairy tale-themed songs, such as the song “Prince Ali,” from Disney’s “Aladdin.”

Music education senior and instructor at the camp Liz James was given the task of teaching the campers choreography to the song they have been learning throughout the duration of the camp.

James said she’s noticed changes in the mentality of many of the students she interacts with.

“They’re gaining a lot of confidence,” James said. “It’s just learning to use your voice.”

James said they’re not trying to train the children to become the next Broadway stars, but instead are hoping to forge a foundation of memories which could inspire them to support musical theater when they become adults.

“It’s very important at this age,” James said. “Ages 1 to 9 is when music is still developing in their brains.”

Camp attendee and Williamston resident Grace Carroll, who is entering grade 11, said the camp has given her more oomph.

“I’ve always loved musical theatre,” Carroll said. “I used to be really shy and now I’m really outgoing.”

James said she and the other instructors make it a point to give all the children a chance to have a solo, and, subsequently, many chances to step out of their comfort zone.

She said the camp can show them how much substance there is to the world of musical performance.

“A lot of these kids don’t normally stand in front of people and perform,” James said. “We can tell them, ‘here’s a chance to do it, we believe in you, you can do it.’”

This year the students final performance will take place in MSU’s Fairchild Theatre for the first time , which puts the children into an entirely new experience — taking the big stage by storm.

“It’s awesome to see the kids get excited about things that I got excited about when I was a kid,” James said. “If it’s something you like doing, you have to start young.”

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