Britt Institute Prepares for Summer Programs

Posted Feb 11, 2009 at 01:59 PM in Behind The Scenes

Over 125 students attend one of three Britt Institute summer camps every summer—Instrumental Jazz Camp, Saxophone Workshop, and the String Quartet Academy. Students have the opportunity to study with faculty from throughout the United States who are masters in their field. Studies include theory, history, improvisation, master classes and performances.

Who is behind the scenes making these educational programs happen? That would be a group of amazingly committed camp faculty and a woman who has always been passionate about arts education, Joelle Graves.

As Education Director at Britt Festivals, Joelle has a long list of details to check off her list before the first students arrive for Britt's Instrumental Jazz Camp in June. Details that include where students are going to sleep, what they are going to eat, what they are going to do during their extra time and how to transport them from one place to another.

She does all of this preparation and pays attention to every single detail in an effort to make the Britt Institute camps stand apart. She ensures that everything runs seamlessly, from the student's arrival to their departure. Her motto is "listen and do," meaning she listens to the feedback she receives (direct and indirect) and takes action. For example, if string students mention that the chairs are too hard to sit on four hours at a time, she finds different ones that are more comfortable. She is more than willing to go above and beyond to make the camps the most positive experience in these young lives.

~Posted by Krissy Rowan, Marketing Assistant, Britt Festivals

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