By Madison Brodeur and Emily Chizek
Madison Brodeur
My name is Madison Brodeur and I was a camper at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in the Camp Bernstein section. I am an 8th grader at Beach Middle School and play violin in my orchestra program.
Blue Lake was an amazing experience that held so many things to do and people to meet.
Being a violin player, our teacher was Mr. Pool, for orchestra. When he taught us the music he did more then teach it. He got up close with us and was able to make rehearsal very fun and he made sure the music stuck in your head the rest of the day. He told us of some of his experiences in music and incorporated into his teachings. He was an amazing teacher that I shall not soon forget.
When at camp, we were in cabins with 12 other people. I was so happy to have my good buddy Emily Chizek with me. The first couple days of camp were rough with all of the things we had to do, but after a while we got into the system of waking up and being on time to activities.
On the last day of camp, I felt like the people that I had met on the first day of camp were now like life-long buddies. We shared stories about each other and we became closer than just cabin mates.
The activities at camp included music class, electives, and free time. Those activities were more exciting then what they could put in their brochure or online.
I can’t wait to go back again. I am very grateful for the scholarships I was able to use for camp along with my violin teacher, Mr. Peters and his efforts to make that happen. If you are thinking of going, you will have a great time.
This was my Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp experience.
Madison Brodeur, 8th grade at Beach Middle School, orchestra
Emily Chizek
I’m Emily Chizek and Blue Lake was a really good experience for me, we had multiple rehearsals a day, while still having loads of fun with our cabin mates and other campers.
During the 12 days I was there, it seems like a while at first but goes by in a blink of an eye. We did so many fun things, while learning new techniques, and ways to play our instruments. After going, I can say that my sight reading ability has risen, and music is a lot easier to pick up. We practiced a lot and we also had a lot of fun as well such as going to a camper dance, having skit nights, and going to professional performances, and recitals.
While we had our daily rehersals, and sectionals, we also had minors, mine being theater. In a minor, you were able to explore something that you may have never done, we got to learn the basics, and we even got to put on a small play.
To bring it together at the end of the session, all of our hard work payed off and we had a concert in front of many families, and friends.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp was a great experience for me that I am hoping I will be able to have the opportunity to do it again.
Emily Chizek, 8th grade at Beach Middle School, band
