So Much More than a Summer Music Camp

Now Presenting... The Summer Music Academy 2024 Music Video Project! 

“Unwritten" Written by Natasha Bedingfield, Danielle Brisebois, and Wayne Rodrigues. Arrangement by Kristin Zaryski & Michael Stern.

The 2024 Ithaca College Summer Music Academy (SMA) High School Division performed and recorded “Unwritten” on the Ithaca College campus during the first week of SMA, a residential pre-college experience for young musicians.

Summer Music Academy

Welcome to the Summer Music Academy. Our mission is to provide a creative and supportive environment for young adults to grow as musicians and people. Our high school program is unique in that it offers a residential pre-college experience with a rich offering of music courses, as well as non-music courses, taught by Ithaca College faculty and top music educators from across the country. Our intermediate program provides young musicians with the opportunity to work with renowned faculty in a fun and supportive environment.

Our electives have been carefully designed to allow students interested in pursuing careers in music the experiences needed to hone and expand upon their interests, as well as investigate new areas of interest. The program is also designed to give students whom do not wish to pursue a career in music the option to have a quality summer music experience.

Since 1892, the Ithaca College School of Music, Theatre, & Dance has worked hard to earn its reputation as one of the finest undergraduate music schools in the country. Each year, our faculty work with students from across the country to transform them into world-class professionals. We are excited to expand upon this success and offer a rich summer program for students of all ages.

Please select your division:

High School Division

  • July 13–26, 2025
  • Available to students entering grades 10 through 12 
  • Orchestra, vocal, wind ensemble (band), and jazz programs
  • Applications will be available in December

Intermediate Division

  • July 27–August 2, 2025
  • Available to students entering grades 7 through 9 
  • Band, orchestra, and voice programs
  • Applications will be available in December

What Makes Us Unique?

  • Immersive, residential pre-college experience
  • Faculty include Ithaca College faculty, renowned guest artists, and top music educators
  • An array of music electives designed for specific music interests: performance, music education, sound recording technology, composition, and jazz
  • Non-music electives
  • College preparatory workshop
  • State-of-the-art facilities in a beautiful campus setting
SMA 2025 applications will be available December 1.

Early application is recommended. 

SMA Video Projects

"Footloose" (2023)
"Never Know" (2022)
"The Champion" (2021)
"Hold On (Eyes on the Prize)" (2020)

This is Me (2019)
"Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" (2018)
"So Let's Go" (2017)
"I Dream a World" (2016)
"You Can't Stop The Beat" (2015)
"Brave" (2014)
"Home" (2013)
"Viva La Vida" (2012)

Interested in Classical Piano?

If you are looking for a summer camp for your student who plays classical piano, learn more about our Summer Piano Institute!

CONTACT

Questions? Please feel free to reach out!

Mailing Address:

Ithaca College
Summer Music Academy
3322 Whalen Center for Music
953 Danby Road
Ithaca, NY 14850