NEAPOLITANfamily • The Arts Issue 2022 neafamily.com 1 sectionadvertisingspecialARTSTHEGUIDE
Aiden starred as The Cat in the Hat and the Grinch in Seussical Jr. He also was in Something Rotten Teen this summer, and will be in Newsies Jr. in the fall. In the past he has appeared in shows such as Matilda Jr. and Madagascar.
“That is his favorite place in life,” she said about the theater.
THE ARTS By Andrea Stetson
iden Thayer, 13, is outgoing and animated. He speaks with enthusiasm when the topic is theater. Aiden was just 7 years old when he starred in his first show, playing the Grinch in Seussical Jr., and he knew then that acting would be his present and Amandafuture.andMichael Marcy, ages 17 and 16, are quieter. But they too know where their careers are headed. Amanda wants to be a violinist in an orchestra. Michael wants to be a doctor, but also excels on his violin. While many kids dabble in the arts, these local teenagers take it seriously, dedicating massive amounts of time to perfect their craft.
“Aiden is really outgoing, and he is a great leader for our kids, showing them the confidence they can have on stage and what that confidence can do for their character,” said Maya Kleinsorge, education assistant with the Naples Players.
Aiden snagged the role of Michael in Mary Poppins with the Naples Players this past spring. It was the first adult show in which he has starred. The eighth grader at Oakridge Middle School has won parts in almost every kid show with the Naples Players. This
Aiden’s mother, Bonnie Thayer, loves seeing her son’s passion.
“That child was animated from the moment he started talking. Even at a very early age he was singing and dancing. He has always been very animated and loves performing whether people are there or not. It brings him so much joy.”
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“I just love the feeling of putting on a show for people, and I love the relationships and friendships,” Aiden said. “Nearly all my friends are from theater, and it is just such a safe space.”
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Success may be part genes and part drive. Aiden’s grandmother was an opera singer. His mother is a singer and former music edu cator with Collier County Public Schools. Amanda and Michael’s parents both play in the Naples Philharmonic. But genes aren’t
Local Teens Pursue Their Passion for PerformanceARTSTHEspecialadvertisingsection
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Amanda hopes that someday she might join her parents on stage with the Naples Philharmonic, where her mother, Judy Christy, plays the oboe and her father, John Marcy, plays cel lo. But she says she would be happy playing with any orchestra where she can get a job. For now she is concentrating on practic ing for auditions for musical competitions during her senior year at Naples High School. She also is practicing violin pieces for collegeAmandaauditions.was just three years old when she began playing violin. Michael began at age four. “My parents started us on it,” she recalled. “I don’t remember wanting to start, but once I did, I wanted to “Whenplay.”we started with it, we really fell in love with it,” Michael added. “I find it enjoyable to make music with other people, like in chamber groups and orchestra. I like putting in the work and then hearing the end result.”
Amanda secured a spot with the Florida All-State Orchestra. The past two summers she spent four weeks in Vermont at the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Michael has volunteered to play in the lobby at Naples Community Hospital. Their parents are proud of their talented kids, whether they choose music or not as a career. “We just wanted to give them a chance to experience it,” Christy said. “I know they can still love it, even if it is not their choice of career.”
Amanda practices her violin about two hours a day. Michael plays his 30 minutes to an hour a day. “I was just at a chamber music festival where we practiced four hours a day,” Amanda described. These young artists hope their dedication leads to successful careers.“Aiden not only says that he wants to be on Broadway, he says he will,” Bonnie Thayer said. “The kid is full of determination. If someone asks him what his dream is, he says, ‘I am going to be on Broadway.’ He just loves it.”
Both young violinists are in the youth orchestra and the chamber music program at the Naples Philharmonic. They both have competed in Solo and Ensemble with their schools, and Fall Classes kids ages 4+ to our innovative Fall Program, which includes courses in Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Design, 3D Printing and Film Making; Performing Arts: Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop & Broadway Jazz Dance; plus, this season is packed full of great Theatrical Opportunities onstage and off! Check out our Fully Staged Theatre Productions and workshops in Singing, Special FX Makeup, Accents & Dialects and Siblings Amanda and Michael Marcy share a love of violin. Above: Aspiring actor Aiden Thayer dreams of performing on Broadway.
more! Conveninet Class Times: Homeschool · After School · Saturdays PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 10150 BONITA BEACH RD REGISTER NOW! 239.495.8989 ARTCENTERBONITA.ORG VIEW CATALOG Left:
Aiden says his favorite shows are Something Rotten and Dear Evan Hanson. His dream role is the lead in Hamilton on Broadway, but simply being a part of a Broadway show is his goal. “I just love acting, but I also love singing and dancing so hopefully something on Broadway.”
SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER AT THE CENTERS! We welcome
enough. These talented kids say that practice and determination lead to success. Aiden spends almost all his free time at the theater. There, he not only learns his lines, but gets instruction in dancing and singing.“Inthis production I am here from 1-5 p.m. and really just focus on tech week and then the performances. So we are making sure it is the best it can be right now,” Aiden explained.
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He said by the time they are ready for an intermediate class, after several beginner sessions, students should know if they want to commit and buy the needed equipment.
Classes are limited to three children.
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THE ARTS By Andrea Stetson
When tiny tots express an interest in the arts or sports, it could be something that becomes a long-term passion, or it could be fleeting. So before you plunk down money for a season of soccer or sign up your child for dance and buy all the costumes, your kids can do a trial run of a plethora of activities with Collier County Parks and Recreation. These four- to six-week programs encompass everything from dance, music, and art to judo, karate, basketball, tennis, fencing, lacrosse, and T-ball.
“It is the first time that she is doing this,” Lorna Marsella said about her daughter, Veronica Nolan, 6. “She likes to dance. This is for her to try it out, and she gets to be with other girls. We just moved here a month ago, so this is her first class.”
Marianne Lorusso’s four-week dance classes feature a mix of tap, ballet, and tumbling to give youngsters a sampling of the dif ferent types of movement.
says it is also quite affordable. For example, the sixweek session of piano lessons is $90 and four weeks of dance is $50. “It keeps your kids busy doing something positive, and if they don’t like it, they won’t sign up next time, and they can try something else,” Kittle said.” They are not locked in like Little League, when you have signed up and you are committed for six months.”Kittle says the piano lessons at Max Hasse are so popular that they have multiple sessions of both beginner and intermediate.
“They are learning about how to be in a group with other kids,” said Sidney Kittle, supervisor at Max A. Hasse Jr. Community Park. “They are learning how to interact, and socializing and learning a new Kittleskill.”
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Collier Parks Offerings Allow Kids To Try Something New
“We fill up real fast,” Kittle said. “It’s just $90 for the six classes. You can’t find that anywhere.”
Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park has karate and kobudo along with basketball and tennis. North Collier Regional Park teaches kids lacrosse and T-ball. Vineyards gives children an introduction to fencing and sand volleyball. Many of the other parks offer these classes and more. Try before you buy Russell Hoge teaches the fencing classes at Vineyards Community Park. It costs parents just $45 for the four-week beginner class. Beginners don’t need equipment, and that saves a lot of money, he said.
Anne Marie Delcompare teaches piano at Max Hasse and says the beginner class is all about the introduction. “I want them to learn to love music,” she said.
“They both enjoy it,” added Owen Kuntz, who brought his daughters, Mable and Devan. Each recreation center has a different menu of activities. Immokalee Community Park offers a hip-hop class. At Vineyards Community Park, Pure Energy Dance teaches classes in hip-hop/ music video, jazz fusion, ballet, contemporary, tap, musicality, and more.
“Tap is my favorite, and I like tumbling,” said dance student Mable Kuntz, 5. “I like all of them,” added student Emersyn Knight, 5. The parents like it too. They sit and chat while the 11 young dancers have their lesson.
“In the first four weeks what they are learning is a little bit of the history and the different types of weapons, the basic stances and footwork, how to keep distance, how to hit the target, and how to hold the weapon,” Hoge explained.
“We have park facilities located throughout Collier County offering a wide range of affordable recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities that will fit anyone’s budget,” stated Peg Ruby, Collier Parks events and marketing coordinator. “If you are interested in learning a sport, having fun, being challenged, and making new friends, we have the perfect recreation program for you.”“Itis very reasonable,” Kittle concluded. “You won’t break the bank starting off and letting the child try it. You are looking for that niche and seeing what that child likes.” Visit www.collierparks.com.
NEAPOLITANfamily • The Arts Issue 2022 neafamily.com 5 -2022Jr.FrozenNaples’ Premier Professional Theatre 2022-EditionSchoolHighChicagoFrozenJr.-2022Offering pre-professional training in acting, voice, and movement for students of all ages. 2022-Clue Experience the JOY of theatre! Programs that encourage self-expression, build confidence, and inspire artistic growth YOUTH EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN & TEENS AGES 5 17 585 Park Street Naples, FL 34102 239.262.6517 www.naplesart.org OCTOBER 2022 - MAY 2023 Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday REGISTRATION OPEN At Naples Art, imaginations come to life! Accredited instructors guide students in art activities incorporating painting, drawing, sculpting, mixed media and more! E N L I G H T E N . E N G A G E . E D U C A T E . E N R I C H . sectionadvertisingspecialARTSTHE
For more information about certificate programs or to support the project, contact Jennifer Clark at JenC@SWFLmusic.org, 239205-8258, or visit www.swflmusic.org.
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New and Noteworthy: The Southwest Florida Music Education Center
As a result of that visit, the Southwest Florida Music Education Center was launched by the Mohers in Naples in 2019 with an inclusion class through The Creative Group, directed by Dr. Jeff Leigh at Artis-Naples. The success of the program, a partnership with BIAESN, and a generous supporter challenged Rob Moher to build something bigger. The Southwest Florida Music Education Center partnered with BIAESN to unveil a groundbreaking, com prehensive music education program for young adults who might not thrive in the traditional college conservatory setting, to prepare them for independence and a successful career path.
The desire to provide con tinuing music education and promising pathways to a talented young adult who learns differently has quickly grown into a life-changing opportunity for neurodivergent musicians and the Southwest Florida community.
Rob and Sandra Moher were inspired by their daughter, who responded positively to music as an infant and became a talented pianist and singer. In high school, she created a demo CD and began playing at restaurants, preschool chapel time, and other Searchingvenues.for post-secondary programs that accommodated students’ unique learning styles led the Mohers to the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs (BIAESN) in Boston, which combines a commitment to musical excellence with a de sire to adapt teaching strategies to meet the needs of students.
Very quickly, the nonprofit was on its way to becoming a world-class music education center that will serve as a model for other programs as one of only a few music education programs available to neurodivergent young adults in the United States.
“It is well documented that most neurodivergent young adults face significant challenges when preparing for higher education and the workforce,” said Rob Moher, founder and board chair of the Southwest Florida Music Education Center. “By providing stateof-the-art holistic music education and mentoring, we are prepar ing students for meaningful growth opportunities, while creating a pathway toward social integration, employment and enrichment.”
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Throughout the year, The Creative Group will also continue to offer weekly highly collaborative ensemble programs for neurodi vergent middle and high school students to grow in technique, mu sic theory, improvisation, and composition, as well as monthly jam sessions, informal unique ensembles led by the Southwest Florida Music Education Center staff.
The community quickly rallied around the center. A success ful fundraising event this spring showed enthusiastic support in the form of donations toward instruments, equipment, and tuition assistance. With their sights set on a creating something that will have an impact for generations to come, visionary philanthropists stepped up with donations and a bridge loan to inspire the com munity to support the mission and allow the Center to purchase the former Hodges University Naples Campus at Immokalee Road and I-75, accelerating development of the Center’s long-term plans to accommodate up to 50 full-time students, include an on site dormitory, and future semi-independent housing for program graduates.Thisfall, the Center began offering two-year and four-year post-secondary music certificates for young adults ages 18 to 30 at Artis-Naples’ Toni Stabile Education Building. In addition, the Southwest Florida Music Education Center will begin renovation and construction on its future home, which it plans to open fall 2024. The Center is opening new doors for opportunities, purpose, and fulfillment with highly trained professionals, small staff-tostudent ratios and proven program design to equip students not just with music education, but also critical soft and professional skills and work placement opportunities.
Encouraging the unique abilities of neurodivergent individuals with a strong interest in music brings their gifts to the forefront of society, allowing space for perceptions to be changed, connec tions to be made, and artists’ talent to be appreciated and enjoyed.
NEAPOLITANfamily • The Arts Issue 2022 neafamily.com 7 Drop in Mini Summer Camp! June 20 Aug. 5, 9 am to 12 pm, Monday Friday Ages 7+, $20 per day. Pre-registration required Registration for Our Annual Workshop is Open! June 1-30, Ages 7+, Some Experience Necessary Fall Classes for Ages 7+ Start August 15 Registration is Open! Jump'n Jig Class for Ages 4-6 Registration for August is Open! Limited Availability D I S C O V E R I R I S H D A N C E T H I S F A L L Where dance is an adventure The Naples School of Irish Dance, 875 94th Ave. N., Naples FL 34108 Contact Robin Maki at 516-314-7404 or RLRBM@msn.com NaplesIrishDance@gmail.com Naples School of Irish Dance Registration is Now Open! Naples Irish Dance Company Registration is Open, Ages 7+ Some Experience Necessary Naples Irish Dance Preschool Program Registration is Open! For Ages 4-6, Limited Availability sectionadvertisingspecialARTSTHE
Artis-Naples, home of The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic, is dedicated to making the arts a part of every local child’s life. With family-friendly concerts, field trips, Make-and-Take Workshops in The Baker Museum, free Community Days, ArtSmart and Music Makers sum mer camps, and more, our thriving student education and enrichment programs are central to our multidisciplinary mission. For advanced student the Naples Philharmonic provides youth ensembles: orchestra, jazz orchestra, symphonia, and chorus
The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs provides resources and mentoring for developing young minds to further their interests in the visual and performing arts. We are the center for kids with a creative passion – the ones who color outside the lines, who crush sidewalk chalk and make their own paint, who build cardboard cities, the kids who are drawn to music and dance, and can’t wait to act it all out on stage. We are here to help unleash their creativity and watch their love for the arts grow. CFABS really has it all – from animation, drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography to music, dance, film, and theater. Our classes connect students to hands-on projects and experienced faculty members who are passionate about our mission – Arts for All!
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• frontdesk@bdanaples.com •
CENTERS FOR THE ARTS BONITA SPRINGS 239-495-8989 www.artcenterbonita.org
CITY OF NAPLES 239-213-3020 • www.naplesgov.com
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Grades 1 & 2 (MONDAYS) Grades 1 & 2 (FRIDAYS) Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8Pre-K Students FOR KIDS & TEENS AGES 4+ • INCLUSIVE IMPROV • IMPROV 101 • SHOW AUDITIONS & MORE! 239.434.7340, Ext 136 • NaplesPlayers.org/KidzAct 701 5 TH AVENUE SOUTH | NAPLES, FL 34102ARTSTHEspecialadvertisingsection
BACKSTAGE DANCE ACADEMY 239-566-3535 www.bdanaples.com
Backstage Dance Academy offers a professional dance education for girls and boys ages 2-18. Students can stretch their imaginations in our Children’s Division or nurture their skill and artistry in our Upper Level Division. Whether you’re enrolled in a ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, or lyrical class, our professional instructors will teach a challenging and engaging class designed to inspire and transform each dancer. If you are interested in joining our dedicated dance family centered around a common love of dance, stop by and visit our friendly staff, or call us for more information on how you can bring the joy of dance into your child’s life. We look forward to meeting you.
The City of Naples offers a variety of activities for everyone from prekindergarten to adults. Programs and specialty summer camps (for prekindergarten to teens) include visual arts, dance, writing, theater, and more.
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musicians,
ARTIS-NAPLES 239-597-1900 www.artisnaples.org
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Gulfshore Playhouse also provides a variety of educational opportunities for adults, from Synergy Series audience enrichment programs to professional internships.
Children For The Arts Theatre, located at The Pulte Family Center at St. John’s Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave. N., Naples, holds three productions during the school year for children ages 6-17. Acting, improv, and vocal classes also are offered, as well as a backstage program for teens interested in working behind the scenes of a production. We encourage individual expression and creativity, and promote learning the fundamentals of acting, stage presence, working alongside peers, and the development of self-confidence. Children achieve skills that apply not only to the theater but to public speaking and leadership. The 2022-23 production season includes Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Alice In Wonderland, and The Hollywood Kids
CHILDREN FOR THE ARTS THEATRE PROGRAM 239-571-3305 tpoorman@childrenforthearts.com www.childrenforthearts.com
The Collier County Parks & Recreation Division offers a variety of programs involving the arts at several different locations throughout Collier County. Music, art, and dance classes are offered at our community centers at affordable prices. We provide year-round programming for all ages and abilities.
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DANCE ARTS BY MARIA 239-513-6999 admin@naplesdancearts.com www.naplesdancearts.com
Dance Arts by Maria Inc. teaches a love and appreciation for the art of dance to all ages and levels of students. Dancers between the ages of 2-18 can learn ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and lyrical. New this season: Mommy and Me and Toddler Tumble classes. In addition to recreational classes, the studio offers multiple performance team opportunities and an award-winning competitive team. The studio participates in charitable events throughout Naples, so keep an eye out for our dancers. Check out our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages @naplesdancearts.
• www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org
GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE 239-261-7529
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Call for available class times today! (239) 566-3535 13020 Livingston Road #8, Naples, FL 34105 | bdaNaples.com TINY TOES | PRE BALLET | PRE BALLET & JAZZ BALLET | POINTE | JAZZ | LYRICAL | TAP | MODERN sectionadvertisingspecialARTSTHE
COLLIER COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION 239-252-4000 www.collierparks.com
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Gulfshore Playhouse Education serves SWFL through a wide variety of unique educational opportunities. The playhouse’s educational pro gramming provides people from the diverse community accessibility to the art of theater. Program offerings for youth grades pre-K to 12 range from STAR (Student Theatre Artist in Residence) theater classes, summer camps, and productions to ThinkTheatre in-school and classroom programs.
Mermaid Tails Dance offers classes for kids ages 3 months and older. Our goal is to bring the joy of movement and dance to Marco Island. Classes offered: lyrical, ballet, jazz, acro, aerial silks and hoops, tumbling and gymnastics, hip hop, contemporary, dance cheer, and competition team. We have two beautiful studio rooms to hold multiple classes and cater to different skill levels and styles. New this year is our competition team for ages 6 and older.
The Naples Players KidzAct program is dedicated to creating a welcoming, family-friendly, and supportive environment to nurture the next generation of performing artists. Our classes and programs are open to ages 4-17 and include both skills-based and performance-focused curriculum. We also offer an extensive range of wellness programming for children and teens with disabilities, anxiety, and more. We welcome you to stop by for a tour during one of our seasonal open house events to meet the instructors and tour the theater.
MERMAID TAILS DANCE 239-399-0551 • info@mermaidtailsdance.com • www.MermaidTailsDance.com
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10 neafamily.com NEAPOLITANfamily • The Arts Issue 2022 MERMAIDTAILSDANCE.COM BALLET, LYRICAL, JAZZ, HIP HOP, CHEER, AERIAL, TUMBLING & COMPETITIONAGES3ANDUP. 1 0 8 9 N C O L L I E R B L V D , # 4 2 2 , M A R C O I S L A N D , F L , 3 4 1 4 5 | 2 3 9 3 9 9 0 5 5 1 INFO@MERMAIDTAILSDANCE COM MARCOSHARKSMMA.COM JUJITSU,BTAEKWONDO,OXING,JUDO, WRESTLING, MUAY THAI AGES 4 TO 10 INFO@MARCOSHARKSMMA.COM HIT THE FLOOR DANCE COMPANY 201-681-1751 • team@htfdance.com • www.Htfdance.com Hit the Floor Dance Company is where your dancer shines. With a structured, yet fun environment, your dancer will be exposed to everything dance provides such as joy, discipline, confidence, teamwork, the ability to express themselves through movement, and accountability. With professional teachers providing knowledge and love, this award-winning studio is waiting for you with open arms. We offer tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics, hip hop, lyrical, musical theater, technique classes, and adult classes, so come through our door and Hit the Floor! KIDZACT YOUTH THEATRE OF THE NAPLES PLAYERS 239-434-7340, ext. 136 • www.NaplesPlayers.org
NORTH NAPLES CHURCH MUSIC CAMPS 239-593-7600 • www.nnchurch.org
516-314-7404 •
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THE NAPLES SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE NaplesIrishDance@gmail.com www.facebook.com/DanceIrishNaples
NEAPOLITANfamily • The Arts Issue 2022 neafamily.com 11 Dance With Us This Fall! AGES 2-18 ALL STYLES ALL LEVELS Join the Fun! www.naplesdancearts.com 239-513-6999 Coming Soon Neapolitan... Family’s Subscribe to Neapolitan Family’s weekly enewsletter and be the first to know when the contest opens! Visit https://neafamily.com 2022-23 Cover Kids Contest! NAPLES ART 239-262-6517 • info@naplesart.org • www.NaplesArt.org A strong arts education is part of the foundation for a successful future. Youth who participate in the popular ARTScool summer education program delve into their creative sides. Special studio or art classes for children are offered throughout the year, including classes specifically designed for homeschool students. Collier County high school art students have opportunities to earn scholarships to pursue artistic studies at the collegiate level NAPLES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 239-325-8789 • info@naplesperformingartscenter.com • http://NaplesPerformingArtsCenter.com NPAC is a one stop shop for the performing arts. We offer dance classes for ages 2 and up, private lessons for vocal, instrumental, and acting students, and musical theater opportunities for students 6 and up. Our I’m a STAR program is a one-of-a-kind program where anyone with any mental or physical challenges can join and learn to sing, dance, and act. We also offer masterclasses and workshops taught by Broadway guest artists throughout the year and have a variety of camps in the summer. Call or email for more information about our programs.
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The Naples School of Irish Dance teaches both competitive and performance based Irish dance. Our performance group (The Naples Irish Dance Com pany) has performed at events throughout SWFL and is also a partner with the Rowdy Bards Piper Band. The school is also affiliated with the Drake School of Irish Dance, an internationally renowned competitive dance school, which has been a great opportunity for our competitor dancers, as our teachers are all champion dancers and have competed in Florida and internationally. We welcome anyone who wants to come and try Irish dance, and we offer one month of free classes. Our school is a place where our dancers work hard, have fun, make friends, and build confidence and self-esteem. accept boys and girls ages 4+.
North Naples Church hosts music camps each summer, with world class instructors. Camps offered typically include: Beginning Band (incoming grades 4-7); Advanced Middle School Band (incoming grades 6-8); Middle School Jazz Band (incoming grades 6-8); Choral (incoming grades 4-9); and High School Jazz Band (incoming grades 9-12). Dates for 2023 will be announced by April.
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