ZEN GARDEN MUSIC CAMPS
WEEK-LONG IN-PERSON DAY CAMPS -SEATTLE SUMMER 2025
1) ADVANCED HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE STRING CHAMBER MUSIC:- 1-week session
Tues June 24- Sat. June 28- Tuition $540.00
For high school and college string players. One pianist may be included. (ages 15-21) Single week in-person day camp.
2) BRAZILIAN POPULAR MUSIC “CHORO” 1-week session
Mon-Fri August 4-8 2025 Tuition: $570
For adults and mature high school and college students. All instruments welcome! Single week in-person day camp Click for a video by Karen and daughter Ariana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i1OfZRFdHc
Click for a sample of a choro performance by camp participants
INFO FOR THE WEEK-LONG CAMPS:
Enrollment Camps generally will not exceed 20 participants.. The venue has 2 outdoor canopies- one in the Zen Garden in the backyard, one in the front. There are also two large, indoor rooms. The camps enroll on a first come, first served basis. Due to the intimate nature of the camp, the spots often go very quickly.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR ALL CAMPS: If you need to cancel, do so in writing. Cancellation received before May 1, there is a refund or credit of 75% of the tuition paid. Cancellation by June 1st, refund or credit will be 50% of the tuition paid. After June 1st, there will be no refunds; and monies will go to scholarship fund. In the unlikely event that Karen needs to cancel a camp, the purchaser is entitled to a refund or credit for 100% of the amount paid.
Application Process: Please send an audition video of two minutes of solo music plus a 2 or 3-octave scale and a self-assessment of abilities and experience. Non refundable registration fee per person: $40, due at time of application, tuition will be in addition to that registration fee. Payment methods include zelle, venmo or PayPal. If you prefer to send a check, just inquire. Tuition will be due upon acceptance. Limited financial aid may be available, please inquire.
For chamber music one-week camp: Ensemble groupings and repertoire will be given well ahead of time so participants can prepare. Sample recordings will be sent as well. For those wishing to play with a friend, requests and music choice will be considered.
For Choro one-week camp: A list of about 7 pieces will be sent to participants ahead of time to practice. Sample recordings will be provided
Safety Protocols The camps will follow all current Covid-19 safety guidelines for King County.
High School/College String Chamber Music Camp
9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Monday- Friday . Eligibility: Violin, viola, cello; ages 15-21.
Sample Schedule: 9:45-9:55 Warm-up/tune 10:00-11:50 Coaching sessions/rehearsals 12-12:30 BYO Lunch 12:35-1:55 All-camp bonding, mystery moments 1:00-2:00pm Sightreading, coaching, in-house performances Final day: normal schedule except leave one hour earlier EVENING: Concert at Karen’s 7:00-8:30pm
Choro Camp Seattle
Vintage Brazilian Jazz Day Camp -Advanced teens, college students and professional musicians. All instruments welcome. Monday- Friday 9:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Coaches: Karen with Stuart Zobel, Seven-string guitar Eligibility: Adults including selected very mature high school students
Eligible instruments: strings, mandolin, guitar and other strummed instruments, percussion, and a limited number of wind players. We welcome choro players of a variety of levels. In addition, it is ideal for classically trained musicians who may have not had much exposure to non-classical styles. Sheet music will be provided in advance for several pieces so participants can familiarize themselves ahead of time. Guitar: Open to folk, jazz and other guitarists who can play chords. Intermediate note-reading is an asset, though not essential.
Sample Schedule for Choro Camp
Mon- Fri 9:45-9:55 Warm-up, tune 10-10:50 Small bands working on the tune of the day. 11-11:50 Workshops on rhythm, style and improvisation. 12 BYO lunch 12:35-12:55 Mystery Moment 1pm-2:00pm rehearsal/classes Friday normal schedule except leave one hour earlier
EVENING: Concert at Karen’s 7:00pm
“The daily rehearsals, the jam session, the mystery guests, the concert and the shared camaraderie of the participants all contributed to a most enjoyable week of learning and sharing of this special kind of music!” -Tom (mandolin) adult participant in Choro Camp 2001
For financial aid request: https://forms.gle/ABFwz2FXtcwQHWCGA
PLUS NEW FOR 2025:
“Choose your music days!”
Choose your Chamber Music SINGLE DAY CHAMBER MUSIC CAMP OPTIONS
Advanced String players ages 13-21 10:00am-2:00pm each day $135 per day
TO REGISTER for “Choose your days”, PLEASE EMAIL KAREN at karen1957@comcast.net
Chamber #1 Tues. July 1 Yoga and Chamber Music sightreading (with cellist and yoga-teacher, Ariana Nelson) 10am-2:00pm
Chamber #2 Wed. July 9 Chamber Music repertoire sightreading 10-2
Chamber #3 Wed. July 16 Chamber Music sightreading and solo experience 10-2
Chamber #4 Wed. Aug 13 Chamber Music sightreading and solo experience 10-2
Choose your jazzy style SINGLE EVENINGS
GYPSY JAZZ: SINGLE camp options 7:00pm -9:15
$75 per evening TO REGISTER for “choose your evenings”, PLEASE EMAIL KAREN at karen1957@comcast.net
Swing and gypsy jazz; all instruments
Kids, college students, adults and professional musicians
Jazz #1 Tues July 22 EVENING Swing and gypsy jazz 7-9:15pm
Jazz #2 Tues July 29 EVENING Swing and gypsy jazz 7-9:15pm
Jazz #3 Wed August 20 EVENING Swing and gypsy jazz 7-9:15pm
Each evening we will play as a group, informal atmosphere, and there will be instruction about improvisation, perfect for first-time improvisers -AND for experienced players, chances to progress and show your stuff.
Pieces will include
“Minor Swing” by Django Reinhardt, “Lady be Good” by the Gershwin brothers; and ““Swing Gitan” by Angelo DeBarre
Jazz Hot (1938) Rare short film with jazz legends Django Reinhardt, guitar and Stéphane Grappelli, violin https://youtu.be/cxQxajcOyCI
Audio of Django and Grappelli: “Minor Swing”
Cancellation policy: Always do so in writing. Cancellation received by May 1, there is a refund or credit of 75% of the tuition paid. Cancellation received by June 1st, refund or credit of 50% of the tuition paid. After June 1st, there will be no refunds; and any monies will go towards the scholarship fund.
“ “Working with Coach Karen is always such a dynamic experience! Her enthusiasm helps us to push ourselves to be better. Her decades of teaching experience, perceptive eye and ear really show. She is a stellar coach and I love to work with her” ”
“Karen's music camps were such a delight. They brought me so much happiness. I only planned to play for one session but instead I participated in three! Karen's creativeness and enthusiasm in teaching and organizing fun music events is limitless! Bill, 17 year old