As a student, I was personally quite fortunate to attend some amazing summer music camps. They spanned from small-scale, rustic operations to international festivals, and all of them offered unforgettable musical and social experiences. I recommend these whole-heartedly to my students as a means of improving technique, expanding musical knowledge, and meeting other like-minded folks. They can become expensive (thanks Mom and Dad!), so some programs offer financial aid or work-study programs – they are well worth the cost! The following are five of my favorite programs – including some that have received rave reviews from some of my colleagues. 5. Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp, Winchester, Virginia

4. Point CounterPoint Chamber Music Camp, Leicester, Vermont

3. Killington Music Festival, Killington, Vermont

2. Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

1. Brevard Music Festival, Brevard, North Carolina