Our Amazing Experiences at the Juilliard Summer Camps

Our Amazing Experiences at the Juilliard Summer Camps See the amazing experiences of Air, Anny and David at the Juilliard Summer Performing Arts programmes in Geneva and Shanghai.

See the amazing experiences of Air, Anny and David at the Juilliard Summer Performing Arts programmes in Geneva and Shanghai.

Our collaboration with The Juilliard School is now in its third year, and each summer they have offered Performing Arts camps for Nord Anglia students.

This past summer, three BSB students attended two of these camps. David Chen (Y11) and Anny Singh (Y8) participated in the Geneva programme and chose Drama as their focus. Air Wang (Y8) attended two different camps as a cellist – The Shanghai strings programme and also the Geneva programme with a Music focus.

It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with Juilliard professors and alumni and further develop their skills. The students have described the programme in their own words below; you can hear directly from them how much they valued the experience! Please also enjoy photos from the two camps and see our students in action!

David Chen at the Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard, Geneva

“First and for most, the summer camp was definitely very rigorous. It worked at a very high standard, striving to challenge every student. The instructors were, apart from being talented and knowledgeable, also very helpful. What I did not expect at the camp was all the fun in it - in all the activities, free time, trips to Geneva, and most importantly, with the other students. It has been wonderful sharing two weeks with some immensely talented people who share the same passions with you.”

Anny Singh at the Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard, Geneva

“This summer camp in Geneva really gave me a taste of boarding school. We had a schedule every day, just like we do here. It was plenty of fun and I learned a lot too, because the teachers there not only gave you ideas, they also taught you how to improve.

I learned a lot more than I thought. I learned to work with anyone and everyone. I also know now how to move, act and feel like the character I am given to play. And that being an actor is extremely difficult as there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. I loved the Summer Performing Arts Camp with Juilliard. It was quite amazing, plus it was a great experience.”

Air Wang at the Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard,  Shanghai

“In Shanghai with the strings programme, I took in a lot of new and fresh musical information from professional Juilliard teachers. First, sharing a space with lots of high standard musicians is extremely rare. In an occasion like this, you must work extra hard but I must point out that it is very enjoyable.

The faculty taught us a lot about communicating through music in the beautiful pieces we play together. To make us fully understand the pieces we’re playing, the faculty even showed us the life of some of the composers from our pieces and how the scores gradually came into what we are playing.

The final performance was so significant that when I listen to the pieces, I can’t tell whether it is professional orchestra played by a hundred people, or just 20 kids determinatively showing the work they’ve done in only two weeks. I also performed in a quartet with three other violinists; we communicated through music rather than language.”

Air Wang at the Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard, Geneva

“To me, the Geneva camp is a unique way to connect young artists from all over the world that share the same talent and interest. Everybody is from different areas and has different routines in their life. In rehearsals, you can clearly tell that the faculty has all the knowledge needed to make you better. They can tell you every single detail of your problem when you played your instrument (some of which you haven’t even noticed yourself) and exactly how to fix it. Their explanation is clear and well structured.

I collaborated with four other cellists in an orchestra, and because they all have advanced skills and techniques, we sounded amazing together. Everyone is so open and collaborative. Keeping in mind that this camp was not only instrumental, it also involved dance, drama and choral, all under the guidance of professional faculty members. Now that I think back, I am so lucky to be able to be part of the Performing Arts with Juilliard.”

Update from:

Ms. Haley Clark, Director of Music
 

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