MEF BAND CAMP: JUNE 9-13, 2026
This project is partially funded by a City of Tempe - Community Arts Grant.
Musician Enrichment Foundation's MEF Band Camp is an exciting opportunity for students entering grades 7-12 (and graduating seniors) to attend a fun and productive week of rehearsals, sectionals, masterclasses and electives designed to enhance all aspects of the campers' musicianship.
Band Camp culminates in a free camper concert at the Tempe Center for the Arts Theater where all students will have the opportunity to perform for family and friends.
Exceptional camp instructional staff includes professors from ASU and Maricopa Community Colleges, members of the Phoenix Symphony, and outstanding directors from high schools, middle schools and private studios. Please scroll down to view the list of camp instructors.
2026 ENROLLMENT IS OPEN!
2026 CAMP DATES
Tuesday-Friday, June 9-12, 2026: Marcos De Niza High School from 8:30am-3:30pm.
Saturday, June 13, 2026: Tempe Center for the Arts from 12:00pm-6:00pm for high school campers and 2:00pm-6:00pm for middle school campers.
Free culminating Camper Concert from 4:00-6:00pm in the Tempe Center for the Arts Theater.
ENSEMBLES
The camp will have four large ensembles. Ensemble placement audition music/instructions will be emailed to registered campers in mid-April 2026. Placement recordings are due by May 11, 2026. Campers who register in May should submit their recordings two weeks after they register. Campers who register in June should submit their recordings as soon after registration as possible. If a middle school camper entering grades 7-8th does not submit a recording, they will be placed in the Concert Band, although a placement audition recording is recommended for all campers. All High School campers (entering grade 9th and up) are required to submit a placement audition prior to the start of camp.
Wind Ensemble: A one/two on a part ensemble designed for exceptional high school musicians and graduated seniors 2026.
Symphonic Band: A band designed for incoming 9th-12th grade musicians.
Middle School Honor Band: A band designed for advanced incoming 8th and 9th graders. Exceptional incoming 7th graders may be accepted into Middle School Honor Band.
Concert Band: A band ensemble designed for incoming 7-9th graders.
Some campers will be selected by their ensemble placement audition to participate in the High School Honor Chamber Ensembles or the Middle School Chamber Ensembles.
TUITION
Tuition is $390 if paid between 3/16/26 - 5/1/26. Tuition is $400 if paid between 5/2/26 - 6/9/26. There are NO REFUNDS available for MEF Band Camp deposits or tuitions paid.
Limited financial aid is available. Contact Carol Mellis, Camp Director, at cmellis@musicianenrichmentfoundation.org to request financial assistance. After financial aid is approved, please register and make the financial aid payment at time of registration.
Minimum Experience Required
10th-12th graders/graduating seniors: 2 years of school or community band/orchestra instruction or equivalent.
7th-9th grade: 9 months of school or community band instruction or equivalent.
Please contact Carol Mellis if you have any questions about previous experience required, cmellis@musicianenrichmentfoundation.org.
HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM
High School Leadership Team (HSLT) is open by application to 15 exceptional students entering 11th grade, 12th grade or graduated 2026 seniors. HSLT members participate in all camper activities, receive leadership training, coach middle school chamber ensembles, provide leadership for the younger campers and assist the camp staff as needed. Tuition is $150 total. Apply to the HSLT here.
CAMP STAFF and FACULTY:
Camp Artistic Director: Carol Mellis, MEF Executive Director; Scottsdale Community College
Camp Assistant Director: Philip Lemar, Connelly Middle School
Office Assistant: Jessica Bondy, MEF
Site Coordinator: David Willers, Marcos de Niza High School
Wind Ensemble Director: Dr. Jason Caslor, ASU
Symphonic Band Director: David DuPlessis, Corona del Sol High School
Middle School Honor Band Director: Arlie DuPlessis, Kyrene Pueblo Middle School
Concert Band Director: Tracy Werner, Kyrene Aprende Middle School.
Flute Instructor: Michelle Stolper
Oboe Instructor: Dr. Maja Dinger, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Yavapai Community Colleges
Bassoon Instructor: : Dr. Joseph Kluesener, Chandler-Gilbert and Scottsdale Community Colleges
Clarinet Instructor: Dr. Joshua Gardner, ASU
Bass Clarinet/Clarinet Instructor: Dr. Stefanie Gardner, Glendale Community College
Alto Saxophone Instructor: Dr. Bonson Lee, Glendale Community College; Ottawa University, Campo Verde High School.
Low Saxophone Instructor: Dr. Jade Deatherage
Trumpet Instructor: Emery Harvison, Auburn University
Horn Instructor: Alex Austin, Chandler-Gilbert and Scottsdale Community Colleges
Trombone Instructor: Dr. Matt Lennex, Scottsdale CC
Euphonium Instructor: Brian Wilson, Summit Academy
Tuba Instructor: Dr. Deanna Swoboda, ASU
Percussion Instructor: Ian Grzyb, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
Percussion Instructor: Steve Fitch, Phoenix Symphony
Music Composition: Dr. Jody Rockmaker, ASU
Music Theory: Dr. Spencer Arias, ASU
Music Theory: Selena Ryan, Kyrene Middle School
Music Theory: Dr. Mikaela Hannon
Instrumental Conducting: Dr. Jason Caslor, ASU
Theater Games: Natalie Trelstad, Roadrunner Elementary School
Visual Art: Dr. Jeanine Zinner, Tempe High School
Hear from Previous Campers
“I loved all the staff and I love my band teacher who is really nice. I would come here any day.”
“I really enjoyed the small ensemble I was a part of. The coach was amazing, the music was fun and it really made me feel like part of a community.”
“My favorite musical activity was sectionals because it was fun to work with a professional of my instrument.”
“I would come back and recommend this to many friends that are in band. It is a fun experience.”
“I learned how to stop being self conscious about my performances and to properly direct my focus to producing a quality sound.”
“This was a great way to meet new people that also enjoy music.”
“MEF Camp is where I have improved the most at music.”
“I grew as a musician because now I can play rhythms I wasn’t able to play before and I can take longer amounts of measures before breathing.”
“I learned new cool things in sectionals and the music challenged me to be a better player.”
“I liked masterclass because we could learn about other instruments and about musical pieces.”
“Thank you so much for holding this camp every year, it is the highlight of my summer break!”
“As a former band member and music teacher, I was extremely impressed by the quality of music-making. I watched my son transform in one week’s time. His eyes were opened to the whole experience of making music in an ensemble. I saw his confidence grow tremendously over one week’s time.”