UPDATED JUNE 2021:
LIVE THEATRE IS BACK IN 2021!!
ALL IN-PERSON, LIVE ON STAGE
Session 1 is SOLD OUT - WAITING LIST ONLY!
SEssion 2 application deadline extended through July 7th.
Few spots remain.
Learn more about our award-winning program below. Click on an icon for more information.
Musical Theatre Exploration & Execution
The Junior Conservatory is our Full-day, ALL IN-PERSON summer program that focuses on the artistic process PLUS applied training in Acting, Dance and Voice, culminating in a fully staged musical theatre production at the end of each session.
Open to rising 5th-8th graders by Audition Only.
ALL programming in summer 2021 will be in-person!
Each WEEKDAY (Monday through Friday) students will be on-campus for a full day for:
In-person morning classes studying Acting, Dance, and Voice.
In-person afternoon sessions working on the digital JR musical theatre production:
staging rehearsals (in-person)
choreography (in-person)
filming (in-person)
Weekend sessions will also be in-person on campus, with times TBA.
The culminating event will be a LIVE JR musical theatre production, featuring:
Faculty-led stage direction, music direction, and choreography
Limited in-person audience (as health guidelines allow)
Video of production will be captured and made available to friends and family.
DEADLINES:
Applications and Video auditions for acceptance into Session 2 of Junior Conservatory has been extended through July 7, 2021 at 11:59pm EDT.
SESSION 1: SOLD OUT! - WAITING LIST ONLY!
Friday, June 25, 2021 from 7:00-8:30pm
MANDATORY Virtual Orientation for all students and families
Saturday, June 26 - Friday, July 9, 2021:
Monday thru Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm
IN-PERSON classes and rehearsals on campus
Saturday & Sunday: Times TBA
IN-PERSON rehearsals on campus
SESSION 2: FEW SPOTS REMAIN.
July 9, 2021 from 7:00-8:30pm
MANDATORY Virtual Orientation for all students and families
July 10 - 23, 2021:
Monday thru Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm
IN-PERSON classes and rehearsals on campus
Saturday & Sunday: Times TBA
IN-PERSON rehearsals on campus
IN-PERSON
Junior Conservatory students will participate in Musical Theatre training in voice, acting, and dance.
In-Person classes may include:
MUSICAL THEATRE
Acting — character development and scene study
Dance — ballet, jazz, tap, and modern
Voice — vocal technique and interpretation
Class sizes will remain small (8-16 students per class) to ensure personalized attention between teacher and students.
IN-PERSON
The second half of each day will be devoted to the stage production, including:
staging rehearsals (in-person)
choreography (in-person)
music rehearsals (in-person)
Casting auditions for the productions will take place in-person on the first day of the program
SESSION 1: THE LITTLE MERMAID JR
Directed by Trent Soyster
Music Directed by Paul Heinemann
SESSION 2: Madagascar JR
Directed by Tori Randall
Music Directed by Paul Heinemann
All listed times approximate and are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Exact times to be finalized soon.
Dates and times are subject to change as below is only a sample schedule.
WEEKDAYS (Monday-Friday)
IN-PERSON all day
MORNING (in-person):
8:30am: Morning Meeting (ALL)
8:45am: Music Rehearsal
10:00am: Choreography Rehearsal
11:00am: Lunch Break (brown bag)
AFTERNOON (IN-PERSON):
11:45am: Staging Rehearsal
1:30pm: Class 1
Voice, Acting, Dance
2:15pm: Class 2
Voice, Acting, Dance
3:00pm: Class 3
Voice, Acting, Dance
3:45pm: Afternoon Meeting (ALL)
4:00pm: Dismissal + Pick-up
WEEKENDS (Sat-Sun)
IN-PERSON HALF day
MORNING (in-person):
8:30am: Morning Meeting
8:45-11:45am: Production Rehearsals
AFTERNOON/EVENING (in-person)
TBA
YAA will continue this summer with strict health & safety protocols to provide the safest possible environment for students and staff during our in-person programming.
CLICK HERE to learn more about YAA’s Health & Safety Protocols.
The 140-acre wooded campus at Sandy Spring Friends School, in Northern Montgomery County, Maryland, featuring a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, fully-equipped 300-seat proscenium theater, dance studio, and multiple rehearsal rooms.
Our morning and weekend in-person sessions will take place on campus both outdoors, as well as occasionally indoors as safety and health guidelines allow.
Amidst the busy rehearsal and filming schedule, some time will be set aside for some fun, challenging, and community building outdoor recreational activities.
Activities may include:
Zip-lining at The Adventure Park at SSFS
Outdoor Movie nights
Campfires
...and more
Artistic Faculty & Staff
Terry Eberhardt, Summer Intensives Director
Paul Heinemann, Junior Conservatory Music Director
Trent Soyster, Stage Director/Choreographer
Tori Randall, Stage Director
Karen Collins Blake, Summer Intensives Administrator
Eric Posner, Summer Operations Manager
Jackie Bautista, Production Stage Manager & COVID Compliance Officer
Montel Butler, Assistant Vocal Director
Kathryn Bailey, Assistant Vocal Director
Carole Graham Lehan, Stage Director, Acting
Kristina Friedgen, Stage Director, Acting
Colleen Daly, Voice
Madeline Rodrigue, Choreographer, Dance
Rolando Sanz, Producing Artistic Director
Click here to read more about our Summer Intensives Faculty & Staff.
All students must audition to be accepted into the Junior Conservatory program.
Applications and Video auditions for acceptance into Senior Conservatory must be completed by July 7, 2021 at 11:59pm EDT.
There is a $30 application fee. Please note that the fee is only required on your first YAA application. If you participated in another YAA program this year, please enter the following coupon code in the payment section of the application: 03YAA21 Applicants can apply for a waiver to this application fee by submitting financial documentation to Acceptd. Please visit the Acceptd Support Desk for more information.
For video audition requirements for the program, please the button below:
You will be notified about your acceptance and/or placement in a program no later than two weeks after submitting your completed application. Those who are accepted into an SPAI program will have to accept their position by paying their tuition deposit no later than 7 days after acceptance.
**Casting auditions for roles in the Production will take place separately during the first day of each session.
Due to our moving to fully in-person programming, we will not be running our Junior Academy in 2021.
All registered students and one parent/guardian must particpate in our Virtual Family Orientation.
July 9, 2021 from 7:00-8:30pm
MANDATORY Virtual Orientation for all students and families
Junior Conservatory
Early-Bird Discount: ($100 discount)
$1,495 with coupon code EARLYCONSERVATORY (through March 31, 2021)
Regular Tuition:
$1,595 per two-week HYBRID session
$2,995 for BOTH two-week sessions (a savings of $195)
Payment:
A deposit of $500 is due upon registration.
2nd payment of half of the remaining balance is due by May 1, 2021 (non-refundable).
Final balance due on June 1, 2020 (non-refundable).
Alternative payment plans can be arranged by contacting info@yaa.org.
Tuition Includes:
Participation in the Junior Conservatory's digital hybrid production:
SESSION 1: THE LITTLE MERMAID JR
SESSION 2: MADAGASCAR JR
All afternoon classes, PLUS all morning and weekend rehearsals and social activities
Extended recreational activities, which may include:
Zip-lining at Adventure Park
Outdoor Movie nights
Campfires
...and more
A two-week HYBRID summer intensive experience that you won't soon forget!
Cancellation Policy: Should you need to withdraw from the program for any reason, please inform us in writing. If you have any funds due to you based on the above policy, we will return them immediately to the credit card on file in your account.
PLEASE NOTE FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR CONSERVATORIES: Should we need to cease in-person programming for health and safety reasons, YAA will replace the cancelled in-person sessions with similar virtual ones and there will be no tuition refunds or adjustments for this change.
Those who wish to be considered for a scholarship or financial aid need to submit an application to us no later than July 7, 2021.
Please contact Lisa Larragoite at lisa@yaa.org for more information.
Tuition Assistance is limited.
+ How will Junior Conservatory be different from the COnservatory program in previous summers??
The Junior Conservatory in 2021 will be back to a fully in-person program with a live production on stage.
YAA will continue to follow all current local and national health & safety regulations.
Students will also provide all of their own meals from home in 2021.
+ How will SPAI still maintain the wonderful sense of community that is usually fostered by the traditional program?
Many beloved aspects of SPAI will still happen during the daytime in-person, including small group rehearsals, recreational activities, morning and afternoon meetings, word of the day, thank you notes, and other community-building traditions that will be successful.
+ Will our favorite classes still be offered (like Dance with Maddie, Voice with Colleen, and Acting with Terry)?
All of your favorite classes will be back and offered in ways to increase the one on one time with your beloved instructors. New acting classes will also be included.
+ How exactly will we pull off off a digital video production of a full musical in two weeks?
As always, we will have a blueprint for success. Staging, music, and choreography rehearsals will take place in-person at the same intensive pace that students are used to from SPAI. As always, we will set every student up for success! This is an INTENSIVE after all!
+ Will we still be able to invite friends and family to watch our final production somehow?
We are waiting for final guidelines about the possibility of bringing in a limited live audience for our performances. Stay tuned for details!
In addition, students and parents will be given access to the final video performance via a real-time Watch Party, where everyone can gather virtually to watch and chat together virtually! The Watch Party will only be for students and immediate family members.
Explore more Summer Intensives Options.