What are the current Covid Protocols?
- We will not require students to be vaccinated. On the day of registration students will be asked to present a negative PCR result or 3 negative rapid tests taken within the previous 72 hours of arrival. Upon arrival students will go directly to the table in the yard in front of the barn to take a rapid test. You can wait to unload until after the rapid test has been taken. Students who test positive will have 50% of their fee returned and the remaining 50% can be deducted from camp fees the next summer. As of now, masks will be optional. If mandates in our area change we will alert you.
Who is eligible to attend the IMA rock and roll program for girls?
- Each session is designed for a specific age group. Only the recording program has competency pre-requisites. We accept students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are there programs for all instrumentalists, including vocalists and string players?
- The program is designed for all instruments including strings (such as violin, viola, cello) and vocals. We thrive on the versatility and love introducing non-traditional instruments into the rock format.
Are family members invited to any events?
- Each session has a final performance or presentation on the last day which begins at 3:00 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. All family members and friends of the family are invited to attend the concert as well as the potluck afterwards.
What airport should I use if I need to fly?
- The closest airport to the camp in Goshen is Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, CT. The airport is about an hour and 15 minutes from the camp.
Is there transportation from the airport to IMA?
- IMA does not provide ground transportation to and from the airport. The Valley Transporter can be hired to transport campers round trip to and from camp for a cost. The Valley Transporter can be reached at (413)253-1350. Call well in advance to make reservations for this service. You should book your flights to arrive the day before the session begins and to depart the day after it ends. There is no charge you for the extra nights.
What do students eat?
- Healthy vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare available at all meals. Each morning a continental breakfast is served which includes a variety cereal, english muffins, bagels and fruit. The lunches are generally composed of cold cuts, cheese, salads, fruits and vegetables. In the evening the fare ranges from pastas, to chicken, to hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers. There is a pizza party on the last night as well as a full cooked breakfast (pancakes, eggs, and bacon) the final morning. There is always healthy snack food available throughout the day. Generally there is some sort of late night snack.
Where do campers sleep?
- You’ll have two choices of places to sleep either inside the barn (where most of the classes and performances take place) which has a bunkhouse that sleeps 8 girls. Or you can sleep just outside of the barn in the yurt which is a large Mongolian-styled tent which sits on a raised platform and also sleeps eight. Generally you will be sharing a bunk-bed. Since there are 14 girls per camp, if you know already that you want to sleep in one place or another you should get to the camp on time to stake out your spot, we do not assign sleeping spaces. Staff do not sleep in the same quarters with the students, but are very close by.
What do I bring to camp with me?
- We have a suggested packing list that you can see here online.
What is your policy on drugs, alcohol and tobacco?
- If you are using them, leave ’em at home. We want to work with your most authentic self, and we’re all about finding creative ways to do that. It has been our experience that the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco eventually impair access to what is really going on inside–the same with bingeing and purging of any type (this includes bingeing on social media!).
What if the student needs to take prescription medications?
- All over-the-counter and prescription medication that students plan to bring to IMA should be noted in the health forms and discussed with program staff at registration on the first day. Because IMA works with small groups, it is not under the same regulations as larger summer camps and does not have a health care professional on staff. For that reason students must be able to self-administer their medications and have a statement from their doctors that they are capable of doing so.
- Prescription medications, with the notable exception of inhalers, will be held in the Executive Director’s office unless they need to be refrigerated. In general, the Director and the student will work out a plan by which the medication is in an agreed upon place. Students will sign in with date and time for each dose and self-administer. The Director will check the sign-in sheet at lunch and before bedtime to discern whether the students have taken their medication and remind them if they have forgotten.
What is arrival day like?
- Registration is from 3pm-4pm. Students will set up their bunks during registration. Bunks are “first come, first serve”. Once parents leave we’ll meet as a group to introduce the staff, give an overview of the session, and answer questions. Then participants will all introduce themselves to the each other through their music. All students come prepared with a song to present, which you may perform or play a recording of as a means of introducing yourselves. The song can be an original or cover tune. After dinner our sound engineer demonstrates how to run the sound equipment so that you can come into the barn, fire up the gear and play during your time off. Regular classes begin the next morning.
What is a typical day at IMA like?
- Breakfast is served until 10:30 a.m. when the first class begins (11 a.m. for the teen programs). Classes are generally an hour and a half long with a short break during that time. In the performance based programs vocals, drums and some aspect of music theory and arranging is covered during the formal classes each day. These classes are mandatory for all campers. There are different activities each evening including the opportunity to sign up for private lessons.
- Toward the beginning of each session evening activities will be more structured. Toward the end of the week students will be working independently with their new band mates getting their songs ready for the concert. Evening activities might include jam sessions, songwriting workshops, visiting artist clinics, private lessons, drumming circles, campfires or music-related movies. There is no set bed time for the teen performance and the recording programs, there is a bedtime for the preteen program.
At the end of the session, when can students leave the camp?
- After the final presentation that begins at 3:00 p.m. there is a potluck, folks generally leave around 6:00 or so depending on how long the good-byes are.
How do I register?
- Registration for the summer begins January 15th. As long as the session is not full, you can apply immediately by sending in the registration form along with your processing fee. You will be contacted via telephone or e-mail once we have received your application form. You can also request a brochure in the mail which also includes the enrollment form.
How much does IMA’s Rock and Roll camp for girls cost?
- The short session (preteen) cost is $750. The long sessions (teen) cost is $1,500. The recording session cost is $1650. Fees cover food, housing, instruction and access to equipment.
Is financial aid available?
- Yes, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Financial aid is awarded on a first come first served basis. We will work with everyone’s budget and will spread the financial aid funds as far as possible.
Are there scholarships?
- Full scholarships are only given to individuals who have demonstrated their financial need and a personal commitment to their music. All students are eligible for the ASCAP Composer’s Scholarship. Submit a recording of an original music composition. It does not have to have lyrics. Lyrics alone, however, are not enough to qualify for the composition scholarship. We will not be judging the quality of the composition or the recording itself, all that is necessary is that it be original and have a beginning, middle and ending. Young composers receive a $75 scholarship for the pre-teen program and $150 for the teen performance and recording programs.
- You can also apply for the Jana Ivanova Abromowitz Scholarship program which is for recent immigrants fund for those whom English is a second language. the scholarship fund provides up to 90% scholarships for qualifying applicants. It is possible, with the ASCAP grant, to come with all tuition covered by scholarships!
When is payment due?
- A nonrefundable $100 processing fee is due with every application, this fee will be subtracted from your overall enrollment fees. Fifty-percent of the camp fee is due two months before arrival, it too is non-refundable unless we find another student to take the spot. The balance is due upon arrival.
Space Availability & Processing of Applications?
- Applications for the new camp season are accepted beginning January 15th. Each camp is limited to 14 campers and applicants are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Early registration is encouraged.
What about cellphones and laptops?
- At IMA we embrace digital technology and all that it does to support the creative production of music and other art forms (i.e. blogs, photo montage, digital storytelling, and so forth). One of the things that makes this Rock ‘n Roll program unique is the access to a wide variety of instruments and gear for musical exploration and collaboration with other musicians. Essential to supporting a deep dive into the creative process is the ability to “unplug” from the world outside, to “plug into” the amazing energy of the space, and to connect fully with the other students who will become their band-mates for the final performance. In order to get the most out of the program, we discourage the use of mobile devices except for use in deepening your learning and creative experience while here.
- Note to Parents: The time your daughter has at IMA is an opportunity for her to grow, create and learn in an environment of supervised independence. In order for her to have the fullest experience, we ask you to respect our request that students not text, tweet, or post while here. We encourage participants to keep a digital diary for their use once they leave, but not while they are here.
- Further, we discourage the use of private cell phones for communication during the program. Your child will have access to the IMA telephone if she needs it, all she has to do is ask permission from a staff person. This step will help us keep appraised of your daughter’s needs and will help her learn to negotiate asking non-family members for help. Similarly, if you need to communicate with your child during the program, we ask that you call the IMA phone. No cell phones or texting devices are allowed in the pre-teen programs.
IMA Anti-Discrimination Policy
- While IMA’s mission is to support women and girls in the field of music and music-related business, all programs are open to the public unless noted in advertisement. The summer programs are in support of girls and young women. IMA does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of gender identity, race, age, color, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, or employment policies.