Duke Ellington School Announces Opening of Journeys! Summer Camp for Aspiring Artists

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, one of the nation's premier college preparatory arts schools, today announced plans to host a unique summer camp program for aspiring artists, writers, dancers and musicians ages 10-14. Journeys! Day Camp will begin on June 29 and end with a final production by all campers on Friday, July 21.

The new summer arts program, based at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Georgetown, will be open to children throughout the Washington, DC area who show a strong interest in the arts. Participants -- up to 70 will be accepted in the first year of the program -- will develop their artistic talents by attending four exciting workshops each day: dance, theater, vocal music, and visual arts. Campers will learn about building sets, designing costumes, developing script material and more, leading up to a final production at the close of camp.

Journeys! will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Personal and group activities will give campers an opportunity to gain an understanding and appreciation for the diversity that shapes American culture, with focused hands-on learning activities from Native American, African American and Latin American cultures. The program will run under the executive direction of DC Youth Ensemble founder Carol Foster, and will be facilitated by skilled master arts teachers.

"In designing this camp, we thought it was important to offer local kids a fun camp with a serious purpose," noted Rory L. Pullens, head of the Duke Ellington School. "Our institution has brought tremendous arts opportunities to DC public school students for over three decades. Now, we're ready and excited to extend that education and opportunity to even younger artists in our community."

The three-week program costs $1,200 per child, with multi-camper family rates available. Limited need-based financial assistance is also available. Acceptance into the program is based on receipt of a completed application, a $50 registration fee and short student audition for placement purposes. Applications must be received by May 1, 2007.

For more information, or to download an application, visit www.ellingtonschool.org and click on "Summer Camp." You may also e-mail or call 202.333.2555 ext. 101.

Executive Director Carol Foster founded The DC Youth Ensemble in 1980. She has worked in the DC Public School System for 29 years, has taught visual arts in the classroom for 18 years and was on staff as Adjunct Professor of Dance at the University of the District of Columbia for seven years. She has worked as a choreographer, performer, writer, director, and visual artist and has been involved with a number of programs related to the arts and arts education in association with the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, the Rockefeller Foundation and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Duke Ellington School of the Arts is an accredited college preparatory public school of the District of Columbia offering pre-professional training in museum studies, literary media, visual arts, dance, theater, technical theater, instrumental and vocal music. Ellington offers students a comprehensive educational experience that combines academic studies and artistic development. Our vision is to meet the needs of talented students who are considering careers in the arts by providing intensive arts instruction of the highest quality and strong academic curriculum and to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or pre-professional careers. Ellington's unique partnership with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and The George Washington University provides significant opportunities to the students, faculty and staff.

To book an interview with Carol Foster or a member of the Duke Ellington School community, please contact Carrie Fox at 301-754-3614.