SunCliff Educational Foundation
Schedule of Summer Program
Supported by Bill and Nancy Gacioch
Suncliff On The Lake Is Proud To Announce Our Summer Music and Fine Art Camp for High School and College Musicians, Fine Arts, and Creative Writing Students. Life long learners are also welcome.
The weekly residential programs will offer a world-class faculty and intensive curricula. Running Sunday through Thursday, sessions will conclude with a performance/presentation Thursday evening.
Presented by the SunCliff Educational Foundation Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, generously supported by Bill and Nancy Gacioch. Camp Director: David Wasik, M.Ed. (click here)
Our Summer Housing and Grounds
WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL
Suncliff Summer Music and Art Institute is bringing together musicians and artists from Buffalo and around the country. Our mission is to help young musicians and their teachers innovate themselves. Our no-nonsense approach to playing and performing, audition- taking, and teaching is greatly needed in today’s world. Whether your ultimate life calling is music, art, or something entirely other, the skills as well as the joy derived from the arts will help get you there.
Our location is one built on innovation and entrepreneurship, along with a deep sense of caring about the betterment of the area: Built in Derby, NY in 1914 by Helen Schoellkopf and her husband, Hans Schmidt, Suncliff on the Lake bears the legacy of the Schoellkopf family; pioneers for harnessing hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls, as well as building tanneries, flour mills, a chemical and dye company, and serving on the boards of an insurance company, several banks, and Buffalo General Hospital, and presiding over a gas
company and the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad.
Learning to be an artist or musician is learning perseverance, patience, wisdom, time management, developing a strong work ethic, and becoming a problem solver and a critical thinker. At Suncliff, we understand that there is so much more that goes into being an artist or musician than hours in a practice room.
Suncliff on the Lake is innovating the arts. Come learn with us. Share our breathtaking grounds, our caring and inspired faculty, and leave ready to take on your career and your life. A friend once said, “Getting an MBA is so much easier than learning the bassoon.” If you can learn to be a musician or an artist, you can do anything! Each of our eight weeks will focus on a different instrument family, musical genre, or artistic discipline. Our faculty cannot wait to meet you!
WOODWIND WEEK
July 7 – July 11
Work with woodwind artists, including members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s woodwind family. Up your practicing, auditioning and performance capabilities to the next level.
FACULTY:
Christine Bailey Davis (click here): BPO Principal Flute
Allison Franco (click here): NYC Freelance Artist, Educator, Eastman School BPO Substitute Oboist
William Amsel (click here): BPO Principal Clarinet
Glenn Einschlag (click here): BPO Principal Bassoon
REGGAE WEEK
July 14 – July 18
Students will be led in a discovery of reggae music, its history, roots, and styles, as well as its growing influence on other forms of popular music.
FACULTY:
Neville Francis (click here): Jamaican-born, founding member of the Buffalo reggae scene
George Olmsted (click here): founding member of the Buffalo reggae scene
FINE ARTS WEEK
PAINTING
July 21 – 25
Grade 9-12 Acrylic Still Life Painting Course
This course is designed to inspire emerging artists and challenge experienced high school artists by approaching the painting of multidimensional works with authentic artist practices. Students will be immersed in an artistic experience that will focus on developing techniques and portfolio building while encouraging the exploration of personal style.
During this five day interactive course, students will be guided through the artistic process while creating a small body of work with meaning and intention. The curriculum primarily emphasizes drawing and painting, while also incorporating elements of art history, discussions on contemporary art trends, viewer engagement and the curation process. Coursework will begin with foundational exercises including observational drawing, contour line drawings and intuitive painting, honing your ability to craft balanced compositions with accurate proportions and scale. From there, students will learn the essentials of canvas preparation, stretching and priming while delving into the intricacies of color theory, color mixing, and paint application.
Students will practice these skills using graphite, watercolor paint, acrylic paint and oil paint while studying still life’s and plein air landscape compositions. Throughout the course you will receive constructive feedback from your instructor and your peers through engaging critiques. The course will culminate with a student-curated art show celebrating your observations, skills and wonderful works of art. Upon departure, students will have a collection of small studies, as well as a fully rendered still life painting on canvas.
FACULTY:
Anna Rubino (click here):
STRINGS WEEK
July 28 – August 1
Play side-by-side with members of Ars Nova, Buffalo’s Premiere Chamber Orchestra. Soloist opportunities will be available as well.
FACULTY:
Douglas Cone (click here): Violin, Second Assistant Concertmaster, BPO
Dr. Donna A. Lorenzo (click here): Viola, Violia D’amorist, Teacher, Music Director, Ars Nova Buffalo
David Schmude (click here): Cello, BPO
Nicholas Jones (click here): Bass, BPO
SAXOPHONE QUARTET WEEK
August 4 – August 8
Expand your music skills with a week of saxophone quartet and ensemble playing. Learn and perform classics by revered composers like Bach and Mozart. Master different styles from ragtime to jazz and pop.
FACULTY:
Salvatore Andolina (click here): Saxophone, BPO, Da Capo Sax Quartet
Todd Macon (click here): Da Capo Sax Quartet, Educator; Erie County Music Educators Association (ECMEA) President
BRASS WEEK
August 11 – August 15
Explore and develop your skills as a brass player in this five-day camp that features daily masterclasses and performances. Work alongside members of the BPO brass section in an educational environment with ample playing opportunity.
FACULTY:
Alex Jokipii (click here): Principal Trumpet, BPO
Jonathan Lombardo (click here): Principal Trombone, BPO
Jacek Muzyk (click here): Principal French Horn, BPO
Seth Rawleigh (click here): Principal Tuba, BPO
JAZZ WEEK- INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL
August 18 – August 22
Develop your skills in jazz improvisation and performance. Explore this rigorous one week performance-based intensive with international jazz artists in a relaxed setting. Learn theory, grow your instrumental or vocal technique, and get personalized performance tips. Enjoy playing and singing with small group combos in various jazz styles.
FACULTY:
Gary Keller (click here): Woodwind/Brass/Jazz Lecturer, Professor Emeritus, University Of Miami Frost School Of Music
Salvatore Andolina (click here): Saxophone/Clarinet, BPO
Cesar Haas (click here): Jazz and Classical Guitar, Rhythm Section, Professor of Jazz & Classical Guitar at Washington State University
Wayne Moose (click here): Bass, Rhythm Section Performer, Clinician, Conductor
Heather Bambrick (click here): Vocals, Jazz/Pop, Canadian Jazz Singer, Voice Over Artist
CREATIVE WRITING & STORYTELLING
August 25 – August 29
FACULTY:
John Capone (writer/director)(Click Here): Immerse yourself in an explorative week of creative writing. Hone your knowledge of the history and theory behind traditional story structure, how to develop great characters, scenes, and dialogue, and how to apply techniques to the different mediums of storytelling such as the novel, play, and screenplay. Unlock the way you see story through dynamic exercises, case studies, personalized feedback, and a supportive community of fellow writers.
