Jazz, piano camps offered this summer at Oakland University

Jazz, piano camps offered this summer at Oakland University
MTD Summer Camps - Tian Tian
Dr. Tian Tian, an assistant professor of piano, works with young students. Oakland University will present its 2018 Piano Camp and the inaugural Golden Grizzlies Jazz Camp from June 18-22 at Varner Hall on OU’s campus.

From June 18-22, Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance will present its 2018 Piano Camp and the inaugural Golden Grizzlies Jazz Camp at Varner Hall on OU’s campus.

According to Sean Dobbins, a celebrated Detroit-area jazz drummer and special lecturer at Oakland University, the week-long Golden Grizzlies Jazz Camp will give young jazz students the opportunity to rehearse and perform in jazz combos and to attend workshops in composing/arranging, jazz concepts and styles, improvisation, jazz ensemble techniques, entrepreneurship and leadership. Students will also learn a variety of genres including straight-ahead jazz, Latin, funk and more.

“This a great opportunity for musicians to develop their musical voice through the study of composition and arranging and rhythm,” Dobbins said.

The Golden Grizzlies Jazz Camp is for students entering the 9th through 12th grade. It will be offered from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Varner Hall, with a Friday evening performance taking place off-campus. Dobbins will serve as director, while Scott Gwinnell and Marion Hayden will be the instructors. Mark Stone, an associate professor of World Music and Percussion at OU, will also serve as a special guest during the week-long camp.

MTD Summer Camps - Sean Dobbins
Sean Dobbins


To audition for the camp, students can record audio or a video of themselves performing one jazz excerpt that best demonstrates their playing abilities and email the file to [email protected] by Tuesday, May 15. Tuition for the camp is $200 and those students who are selected will be notified via email and sent a registration link.

Also from June 18-22, the School of Music, Theatre and Dance will offer a Piano Camp for pianists 12-17 years of age. The camp, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in Varner Hall, is recommended for intermediate to advanced piano students with younger pianists considered upon recommendation of the faculty.

“Piano camp is designed to nurture young musicians through daily lessons, duet coaching, composition and lectures on topics relating to piano techniques and music literature,” said Dr. Tian Tian, an assistant professor of piano at OU. “Students will also get opportunities to perform and participate in public masterclasses. We strongly believe that the camp will provide a fun and comfortable learning environment for students who are passionate about music.”

The fee for the camp is $395 and discounts are available for returning participants, siblings, 2018 Piano Day competition winners, and OU faculty and staff. To register, visit the Summer Piano Camp 2018 website.

For more information about these and other workshops and initiatives offered by the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, visit www.oakland.edu/mtd/workshops. Questions can also be directed to Danny DeRose, recruiting and outreach manager, at [email protected].