Teen Traveling Camp II
July 15- July 31, 2024
Leaders: Lysander Jaffe, Liam Kantor, Lexi Ugelow
Rehearsal location: Stump Sprouts Lodge, Hawley, MA
Price: $1800.
Financial aid is available, based on need.
Village Harmony’s teen traveling camps are open to young singers ages 12 to 18. Auditions aren’t required to attend our Village Harmony (VH) camps. If you like singing full force and galumphing about the countryside performing for appreciative audiences, this is the camp for you.
We do ask all new teen applicants to our programs to answer a few questions about their singing background and their reasons for choosing VH as part of the registration process. VH’s basic demand of would-be members is simply that they be committed to making good music—and not hold back.
VH camps always begin with a week of rehearsal in residence at a retreat center. This summer’s program will be held at one of our favorites—Stump Sprouts Retreat in Hawley, western Massachusetts.
During the rehearsal week, singers get to know one another and their music. Participants learn the basics of new singing styles and prepare a concert program under expert leadership, with emphasis on the cultural context and authentic vocal technique of the genres making up each session’s particular musical tapestry. Teen camp rehearsals are long and intense—six or more hours each day—with individual voice coaching, small ensemble and instrumental work between group sessions.
Word-sheets and notes are used for some of the music, but nearly everything is taught by ear. We place a lot of emphasis on authenticity—understanding the spirit and vocal style of each musical genre—and on appreciating the joy of singing together and with conviction. Within this rigorous structure, the groups tend to be relaxed and non-competitive, with a deliberately democratic atmosphere.
The framework of the residency is communal, with everyone pitching in to help cook and clean. The menu is primarily vegetarian, and is responsive to the tastes, dietary needs and culinary talents of camp participants. There is always time for frisbee, dancing, volleyball and searching out swimming holes. During the week there is also usually an evening cabaret, where campers are encouraged to flaunt their flair for music, stand-up comedy or random talents.
After the rehearsal week, each session takes its show on the road. Everyone and everything gets packed up as the group embarks upon a 10-day long concert tour. While on tour the we will travel every day—stopping en route to hike and swim and explore sites of interest—and perform every night. The myriad challenges of polishing concert performances to a high sheen are exhilarating for all involved, and produce a close community by the end of camp.
NOTE: Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will not be required to attend our 2024 camps. Covid-19 protocol for the rehearsal week will be determined as the opening day approaches.
Meet the leaders
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Lysander Jaffe
Lysander Jaffe is a singer, violist and co-artistic Director of Palaver Strings, a chamber orchestra and nonprofit based in Portland, ME. He is also a founding member of Culomba, a genre-defying new vocal ensemble based in Boston. A devoted student of traditional music, he has studied with master musicians in Bulgaria, Kosovo, Greece, Corsica, and Georgia. In 2017, he appeared as a soloist with the Cambridge Revels in Sanders Theatre. In 2018, he was awarded an Apprenticeship Grant in Traditional Arts from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support his studies of the unique violin tradition of Epirus, Greece.
As a teacher, Lysander is passionate about broadening the cultural horizons of students of all backgrounds. He has taught world polyphony styles for Village Harmony since 2013 and has toured Europe several times with its professional ensemble, Northern Harmony. In 2020 he graduated from the New England Conservatory with a Masters in Contemporary Improvisation.
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Lexi Ugelow
Lexi is a vocalist, songwriter, expressive arts workshop and music education facilitator. She is a life long learner and lover of intergenerational community singing.
A professional singer and songwriter, Lexi has toured with groups such as Northern Harmony, Culomba, and Road Dogs, performing and teaching workshops to adults and children. Her interests and experience with music spans from funk, to world folk music, and her heart really lies with anything a cappella. A firm believer that our bodies are our instruments, she encourages the practice of non-judgement during exploration of musical play.
Moving into her third year as co-music director for Sing Positive, she is excited to continue to use music as a way to help others build community, confidence and self expression.
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Liam Kantor
Liam Kantor is a vocalist and instrumentalist based in Evanston, IL. From an early age, he was steeped in the world of traditional music, learning fiddle tunes and folk dances from his teachers and family alike. During the pandemic, he spent a year in Marshfield, VT, working with Village Harmony, to organize workshops and perform online concerts with Northern Harmony.
Currently pursuing a degree in ethnomusicology, Liam's musical interests span a wide range of traditional folk styles from around the world with a focus on New England-style and Celtic fiddle music and traditional ballads of those regions.
Liam has a particular passion for finding ways to bring people into community through art and, particularly those who might not think to find connection through art. Thus, drawn to community-based musical traditions, he finds himself most at home singing in choirs, playing in jam sessions, and trading songs around campfires.
Residential & rehearsal space
Stump Sprouts Lodge, Hawley, MA:
Hand-built and furnished almost entirely with wood harvested from our land, the Lodge has seven guest rooms, a large living room and a complete kitchen and dining room. Everywhere there are large windows taking in the magnificent view. Lofts, cozy nooks, art work, plants, and a fireplace.
Not exactly a hotel, motel or B&B, Stump Sprouts is in a unique category of its own. In keeping with the owners’ simple philosophy, overnight guests share bathrooms and bring their own sheets, blankets, pillows & towels (there will be a limited number of sets for rent if you cannot do this for some reason).
All rooms have a double bed in them and most have a single or bunk bed as well. Rooms are decorated with original art, barn board, old farm implements, etc.
Village Harmony’s rehearsal space will be in a beautifully refinished barn, with superb cross-ventilation and large windows looking out over a gorgeous mountainscape.