Instructional Faculty

Blue Lake faculty members serve as instructors, motivators, performers, and positive role models for campers in the instructional program – both Majors and Minors. Faculty members also serve as a resource for counseling staff members pursuing careers in the arts and education through occasional consulting, coaching, and private instruction. Faculty members are expected to maintain a regular presence at evening events and camper performances throughout each camp session. Faculty members also assist with minor class instruction, opening day placements, and written evaluations for parents. 

Most faculty positions are two or four weeks in length and are divided between the Intermediate and High School sessions. The dates for the 2024 season are listed below and include faculty arrival/orientation day:

• Session 1 (high school): June 25- July 7
• Session 2 (high school): July 9 - July 21
• Session 3 (intermediate): July 23 - August 4
• Session 4 (intermediate): August 6 - August 18

Salary is based on degree(s) held and previous experience. The starting rate ranges from $556 (Bachelor’s) to $665 (Doctorate) per two-week session plus room and board. Travel to camp is not reimbursed, but those who commute to campus daily are reimbursed mileage. International applicants must be able to obtain a work authorization prior to employment.

Specific Program Areas for Instructional Faculty:

Art: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for art majors and minor students. Serve as resource for all visual art related activities in the camp and provide group instruction and guidance in a classroom setting. Art faculty also assist with exhibit preparation and show presentation. Focus areas include: Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Metal Arts.

Piano: Serve as instructor and performer in the camp instructional program. Piano faculty instruct classes in theory, keyboard ensemble, minor classes, and private lessons. Piano faculty also perform in master classes and recitals, and may lecture on a variety of topics.

Harp: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for harp majors and minor students. Harp faculty instruct classes in theory, harp history, ensemble performance, and private lessons. Harpists may also perform in faculty recitals and Festival Orchestra and Band as requested.

Theater / Musical Theater: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for theater majors and minor students. Theater faculty instruct technique classes in voice, movement, script analysis, stage combat, musical theater dance, and basic Stanislavskian acting while directing or devising short, equal opportunity performances for either contemporary acting, Shakespeare, or musical theater final camper presentations.

Creative Writing: Teach poetry and prose writing in classroom and outdoor settings. Support and supervise studio time for independent work. Serve as a resource for all Creative Writing department activities. Assist with preparation of student anthologies and end-of-session readings. Select Creative Writing faculty members may also present their work at faculty readings or in other venues.

Dance: Assist with the organization and implementation of the instructional program for dance majors and minor students. Dance instructors teach daily ballet classes, pointe, stretching, partnering, men's classes, jazz, and contemporary dance. Dance faculty also assist with rehearsals for final performance or demonstration.

Voice: Teach voice students in sectionals, technique, theory, and ear training classes. Assist with choir rehearsals, minor classes, and chamber music. Select voice faculty members may also perform in faculty recitals and in other venues as requested.

Ensemble Conductors: Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Choir. Conduct student ensembles in two full rehearsals each day. Work with sectional teachers to set goals and meet needs of the ensemble. Conductors routinely attend sectional classes and guide rehearsal assistants in logistical demands of the group. All camp ensembles prepare two short performances each session, totaling approximately forty minutes of programming.

Jazz: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for jazz majors and minor students. Jazz faculty instruct sectional and technique classes, improvisation, jazz history, and assist conductors in rehearsals as requested. Jazz faculty also regularly perform in jazz ensembles as a part of Blue Lake’s Summer Arts Festival.

Winds, Strings, and Percussion: Teach small group technique classes and larger sectional classes to junior high or high school students majoring in Blue Lake's instrumental music programs. Perform in the Festival Orchestra and Band, Park Band, chamber ensembles, faculty recitals, and master classes as requested. Act as resource for conductors of student ensembles.

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree and extensive teaching experience with junior high and/or high school students. Masters and Doctorate level degrees preferred. 
• All applicants are expected to demonstrate mastery of their craft as performance and/or demonstration is a significant aspect of teaching at Blue Lake. 
• For all instrumental positions, a recorded audition is required - visit our website for audition requirements and a link to submit. For other faculty positions, samples of work must be submitted to the Department Chair. 
• Blue Lake requires at least three positive professional references for all seasonal employees. Applications will not be considered without current professional references.
• All employees of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp are required to complete two background checks during the employment process: a criminal background check (run by Blue Lake), and a child abuse & neglect registry clearance (requested by applicant through home state). Any fees associated with the central registry clearance are the responsibility of the applicant.