At The Shedd we expect students to leave their lesson eagerly wanting to play their instrument at home, but all too often going home and being required to "practice" implies sheer drudgery. A student isn’t typically gearing up for a big performance, and, if they aren’t thoroughly enjoying making music, something is wrong. It’s a critical moment for an adult student or a parent of a younger one to examine why not. There are many changes that can be made to maintain that enthusiasm that was the reason they wanted to learn in the first place.

Granted, for a mature student, there indeed can be intellectual and emotional satisfaction from deliberate practicing – the reward of accomplishing something that was difficult, or even, as author Stephanie Judy noted simply observing “ourselves in the act of learning.” But these are more self-reflective and sophisticated enjoyable moments than the broader reasons that most people say they like making music.

As a Shedd music student, you will change over time – and as you do we want you to keep the playfulness and joy of making your own music first and foremost in your experience.

Every year, elementary school children enjoy The Shedd Institute’s Summer SongFest, one-week music enrichment camps with kid-friendly themes. This year's themes are:

The Shedd Institute's new musical theatre camp for middle schoolers offers 3 stand-alone week-long camps that each focus on a different era of American musical theatre, from 1920s musical comedy to 21st century modern musicals! Read more...

The Shedd Institute's intensive training camp for young adults who wish to excel in their skills returns June 20th! Taught by actors, singers and dancers at the top of their profession, this 2 week camp affords the dedicated thespian a compact, serious course in what it really takes to be a "triple threat".

The Ragozzino Scholarship If you are thinking of attending the Musical Theatre Training Academy, we encourage you to apply for an Ed Ragozzino Merit Scholarship. Read more...