In the summer of 2014, I volunteered as an intern at the Allegra School of Music and Arts

summer musical theater camps. As an intern, my jobs included: counselor, assistant music director, and
stage manager. I was actively working for three sessions; the amount of work exceeded the required
hours for this semester. I came back for more because I found love and dedication in what I was doing.
This opportunity not only allowed me to improve my leadership skills, but it gave great insight into the
daily routine of teaching children. Each day, I made sure all campers were present, and my fellow
counselors and I started the day with improvisation games to wake up the kids and get them ready to
start the day. I applied my previous teaching experiences to lead the campers in various activities. As I
did so, I learned so much more about being a better leader and role model. The campers themselves
indirectly taught me about how their age level not only interacts with each other, but how they interact
with adults. However, these kids are in summer mode which made their attention spans shorter and
their energy level higher. One particular challenge that I faced was grabbing the campers attention. The
childrens age range varied from eight years old to twelve years old. If they lost focus, it was difficult to
bring them back to the task at hand. Many could not stand still for more than three minutes. I learned
more about this from a Huffington news article that discussed the reason. Child fidgeting comes from
lack of exercise and/ or actively moving activities in their daily routine. During rehearsals, I
acknowledged their fidgetiness and compromised. I said, You all can move side to side, but you must
stay in the spot I assigned you for rehearsal. This allowed them to have the freedom to move, but it
gave restrictions so they dont wander off during rehearsal time. I was shocked that campers did not
want to go outside for their break, despite, their impulse to move constantly. From the article and my
experiences, I thought about how elementary classes could integrate movement in lessons to diminish
the childs urge to move. Specifically, music classes already incorporate dance and active games for
students. Why cant the rest of the curriculum do the same?
As assistant music director, I led warm ups before rehearsals. I engaged the campers with warm
ups that prepare the voice to be energized and ready to sing. Each time, I incorporated diction, blend,
and intonation exercises in a ten-minute limit. On various occasions, I recorded myself as I led warm ups.
This was a useful tool to look back and reflect on my teaching. I discovered what I did well and what I
need to improve on. For example, all of the campers were receptive to my teachings, but I need to be
more precise with giving directions. At times, campers did not fully understand a warm up because I
rushed through and did not thoroughly explain. Additionally, I understood my strengths and weaknesses
as a music educator. What I lacked in piano skills, I made up for with my knowledge of vocal technique,
ear training, and music theory. Knowing the music inside and out is crucial to teaching the material.
When I worked with the first session, I was unfamiliar with the music, and I had to keep up quickly with
sight reading the songs which motivated me to improve my musicianship. On the other hand, working
on Into the Woods was a joy because I knew the music in its entirety. This allowed me to think critically
as I listened to the campers, and I was able to fix mistakes to present a better production. In the first
sessions production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, I had opportunities to work with soloist and small
ensembles. For example, Muquin involves four characters singing in Chinese. Using resources that MTI
supplied, I was responsible for the actors Chinese diction and tweaking their song. At first, the Chinese
was a stumbling block for the campers. But, when I attended to them and assisted, progress was made,
and the campers felt more comfortable singing the language.

Below are various notes I wrote during my internship. I documented a few schedules, and I
inscribed valuable lessons I discovered from work on specific days. More than anything, this internship
gave me an opportunity to work as in training music educator. I went to work with the mindset of a
professional, ready to put in the effort for the day.
Internship at Allegra School of Music and Arts:
8am to 4pm on Monday through Friday
Camp Counselor:

Provide supervision over campers

o Assist in outdoor, improvisation games
o Assist directors with anything they require
o Taught a few cast members Chinese diction
Assist music director with:
o Pitches and rhythms
o Dynamics and diction
o Lead warm ups
o Taking music notes during run through
Supervise after camp program
Challenges:
o younger children had trouble following in their music
Lyric sheets would be more beneficial to younger kids
Older kids get bored because they are able to learn faster than the
younger kids
o trouble with disciplining kids
Many shouted over
Set ground rules
Did not help that much
Kids didnt want to play outside
Advantages
o Great opportunity to teach young children
o Understanding the challenges to teaching

First program: Thoroughly Modern Millie 6/30/14 to 7/11/14

Campers age range from 6 years old to 11 years old
Day 1:
Blocked Thoroughly Modern Millie and learned music
Learned half of Forget about the Boy

Learned notes to Mu quin

Blocked Millie and Jimmy scene 1
Blocked Priscilla girls scene 2

Day 2:
Learned improvisational games- Freeze, Park Bench
Blocked Scene 3
Blocked scene 11
Taught half of Mu quin Chinese pronunciation
Taught most of Speed Test
Blocked Forget about the Boy
Run through scenes that were blocked
Day 3:
Blocked scene 5
Blocked more of Forget about the Boy
Learned Long as Im Here with You
Soloist #1: Isabella
Soloist #2: Thia
Soloist #3: Maddie
Soloist #4: Megan
Soloist #5: Emily S.

July 9, 2014
Music Notes for Run through

Not for the Life of Me: Sidney- very pitchy

Thoroughly Modern Millie
Ensemble needs to remember when Millie should be the only one singing
Need to come in on the entrance of Everything today key change of F major
Be less shouty!!!
Not for the Life of Me (tag)
Go over notes, performers are unsure of lyrics?
Speed Test
Ending Ah needs to be nice and loud
Forget About the Boy
Some pitch issues towards the end of the song
Billed in PlayBill as Assistant Music Director and Stage Manager
was on curtain and lighting cues for performances

Youre a Good Man, Charlie Brown

July 14- July 25
Assist with music
Trouble student- Gianna autistic- Emotional meltdowns