Instrument Immersives at Amplify Music Summer Camp

Join a Band at Camp!

Learn an Instrument

Form a Band

Write a Song

Perform at the Showcase
Group instrument instruction and band practice are designed to engage all skill levels. Our instructors develop lesson plans that are challenging and fun for everyone, from total beginners to experienced musicians. With mentorship at the center of our mission, instructors focus on developing leaders with life skills such as communication skills, problem-solving, empathy, and assertiveness. Check out our blog post to learn more about the skills youth learn in the band immersive.
Meet Nicole, Songwriting and Band Instructor
I’m Nicole, I’m thrilled to be joining Amplify as a Rock Band Intensive instructor. Outside of camp, I’m a professional musician and songwriter signed to the indie label Voracious Records. Additionally, I work as the head of music at Fusion Academy Santa Barbara. Outside of music, I am an avid dancer, nature lover, and boxer.

Choose Your Immersive
FAQs
These are the current immersive options, but campers are exposed to other instruments in some of our music workshops. Private lesson packs are available as an add on too! If you don’t see the instrument you want to learn, send us a chat or email.
Usually, but we can’t guarantee it. If the immersive is already fully enrolled, or switching out of your class leaves only 1 or 2 students, we can’t accommodate a switch.
We encourage guardians to help their campers choose the immersive that feels right for them at the time of registration. We encourage campers to focus on the instrument they chose. Working through challenges builds resilience, one of our core values in helping campers develop leadership skills.
I feel you! Our advice is to not really worry so much about that the first week and practice living in the moment of each day. There’s a lot to learn, fun to be had, friends to make, and new things about yourself to discover. Then, if you’re still feeling nervous, talk to your instructor, coach and band mates. They will help you come up with a plan that feels right to you!
Signing up for an instrument or vocals immersive will allow you to learn and improve skills in your instrument and then apply those skills at band practice each day. Rock Band Intensive focuses entirely on band practice and is better suited for musicians experienced in their instrument and who wants to write an original song and learn some cover songs.
Instructors work hard to figure out how to form well-rounded bands with a good balance of instruments and similar skill levels and style. For instance, we almost never form bands with two drummers. We definitely listen to campers who have a strong opinion about who is in their band, but sometimes compromise is necessary. Ultimately the instructors make the final decision. Camp is all about trying new things and making new friends. Band coaches are especially trained in helping band members speak up, listen, and practice compassion and respect–all part of being in a real band outside of camp too!
Yes! We have enough equipment for everyone, but if you have a guitar, bass or amp that you love, you can absolutely bring it!
I loved Amplify. I went for two weeks and immediately wished I had gone for another two. I met so many awesome kids, the instructors were outstanding, and the campus was next-level.
Some Highlights ✨
– The food. It was surprisingly really good and they had really good vegetarian options.
– The talent show. This was probably my favorite thing at camp. My friends and I did Hamilton karaoke and it was so fun, all the practice leading up to it too. I got to play some of my original songs as well which was super fun, and seeing all the talents the other kids have was really inspiring.
– The final showcase! It was so fun and special! Especially all the little moments getting ready leading up to it. They are things that I’ll treasure forever.
– Self Care Sunday: not necessarily self care sunday itself, but the fact that we got to sleep in.
– Field day. It was awesome!
– My band, The Janky Starz. I feel SO lucky that I was put in this band because it is seriously THE BEST.
I loved all the instructors and councilors but my favorite instructors were Nicole (AKA Papa Star, our RBI teacher.) and Rory (Feminism elective). Both of them were so supportive and felt like people I’d feel comfortable talking to about anything even though I only knew them for two weeks. Nicole taught me so much, was so supportive, and I had the absolute best time with her and the rest of my band. Rory was the person who I immediately trusted and I felt like I could go to him about anything.
The few downsides (which were not big and just personal things. I would still recommend Amplify to everyone)
– I had to wake up at 7am. Which is 3 hours earlier than I normally wake up.
– Beach day. I just didn’t feel like leaving campus. Actually, no. I’m mixed about beach day. I didn’t feel like leaving campus but I did end up mostly having fun (AKA choreographing a performance of Non-Stop at the beach. Then singing Hamilton with my friends the entire way there and back and I’m pretty sure we annoyed the entire bus. Either that or they thought it was a good show.
Overall I loved Amplify and I can’t wait to go back next summer. I would absolutely, without hesitating, recommend it to anyone who likes the things we do there. Huge thank you to all the staff for making it the best summer ever! 🎉
The camp was well-organized and extremely responsive helping us feel comfortable choosing this camp for our daughter’s first extended time away from home.
When she returned home her relationship with her phone changed , she expressed feeling so much better not having it . The creative activities Amplify offers are the dopamine the kids need to replace the screens .My daughters talents are rekindled & her voice is powerful ! What an absolute gift this camp is to all young women !
Forever grateful mother 💝
It’s always shocking to me how much they do in a two week span.
My oldest has always been a pretty shy person even struggled with social anxiety, but when I saw the pictures of her performing on stage! rocking out on an electric guitar, it nearly made me cry tears of joy. Her new found confidence really helped with the first weeks of a new HS, she also continued her lessons in base.
My two younger daughters also discovered their passion for photography and song writing. I love this camp because of the space they have created for these girls, they bond, and grow together, and they are exposed to music in fun and relevant manner to their age. My youngest made so many friends, even has “besties” who she talks to via text on regular bases but she lives on the another side of the country, yet they are still close and the friendship only grows then they reunite at camp, which always makes camp that much more exciting. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to send my daughters here, and will continue to.
My daughter attended Amplify Sleep Away Camp and had an absolute blast! The counselors were amazing and created an unforgettable experience. This camp provided her with memories that will last a lifetime. Highly recommend for any parent looking for a fantastic camp for their child.
She has talked about camp throughout the year and is SUPER excited to attend again this summer. I have also noticed a huge improvement in her maturity and confidence this year and I give Amplify a lot of credit for that. I am grateful to the staff and all the amazing things they do for their campers.













