JUNE 15-19, 2009
Youth Guitar Camp (age 8 and up)
9 am-12 pm
Instructors: Elina Chekan and René Izquierdo
Fee: $150
Guitar Rental Fee: $25
Informal performance: Friday, June 19 at 11 am Elina Chekan and Ren? Izquierdo offer a lively camp for beginning and intermediate guitar students designed to build a solid foundation in guitar, equipping students with the basic skills required to be versatile in any style: classical, jazz, flamenco and finger-style. Students learn about the guitar and its history, and are exposed to a full range of guitar styles through video, recordings and live performance by instructors and guests. The basic elements of music and guitar are introduced in a supportive environment, with daily group lessons and coaching.

Click here to learn more about the Suzuki & Pre-College Guitar Program at UWM.

Choose from the following below:
Instructors
General Information
Fees & Registration-Register Online!

Instructors - top

Elina Chekan directs the Pre-College and Suzuki Guitar Program at UWM. Born in Minsk, Belarus, she studied with Valeriy Gromov and Eugene Gridiushko in her native country and with Benjamin Verdery at Yale University where she attained her Master of Music degree. Ms. Chekan has performed extensively in Europe and the United States as a soloist and chamber musician. A prizewinner in several international guitar competitions, Chekan is a certified Suzuki Method instructor, registered with the Suzuki Association of Americas. Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Chekan was artist-in-residence and faculty at the Bloomingdale School of Music in New York City, and chair of the Guitar Department at the Belarus Music Academy in Minsk.

René Izquierdo is assistant professor of guitar at UWM. He graduated from the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory and Superior Institute of Art in Havana, where he studied with renowned guitarist Jesus Ortega. After his arrival in the United States, he graduated from Yale University School of Music in 2001, where he studied with Benjamin Verdery and obtained a Master of Music and an Artist Diploma degree and was awarded the Eliot Fisk Prize for an outstanding guitarist. Izquierdo has been awarded several competition prizes, and most recently was a finalist in the JoAnne Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition. He has appeared as a guest soloist and in chamber music concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Cuba, Spain, France and Italy. Before joining the faculty at UWM, Izquierdo taught at the State University of New York at Purchase and Yale University.

General Information - top

Location
Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts Room 188, 2419 East Kenwood Boulevard

For a map of the campus: www.uwm.edu/map

Parking
There is free 15 minute parking at the south entrance to the building for drop off and pick up.

Levels
Intermediate students are expected to have at least a year of experience and must be able to read notes and play in first position; they will develop their proficiency in sight reading and ensemble playing.

Required equipment
Students must arrive on the first day of camp with an appropriately-sized, nylon string guitar (usually _ size, but you may contact Elina Chekan if you are in doubt) or arrangements should be made in advance to rent a guitar from the Pre-College Program (see below). Also required: a staff paper book (blank with 5 lines) and a pencil and a pen.

Please provide a drink and a small, healthy snack for your child.

Guitar Rental
We have guitars available for rental for the week of the camp for $25. If you plan to rent a guitar from UWM, please indicate this on the registration form and include payment.

Fees & Registration - top

Fee
Youth Guitar Camp: $ 150

Registration
Click here to register online.

You will be offered the option to pay online via credit card or online check, or you may pay by mail or phone once you've registered.

Registration is ongoing and spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis. Once registered, you will receive a packet with additional information.

Cancellations and Refunds
A full refund is issued to program participants if we cancel the camp for any reason.