Mason Strings Camp
Ages 9-13
Overview
The Mason Strings Camp is a collaborative musical experience for violin, viola, cello, and bass players, ages 9 – 13. Campers will participate in a variety of daily activities that encourage musical and social development in both large and small groups. In addition to working with faculty from the Dewberry School of Music, participants will have the opportunity to interact with teaching artists from Opera Lafayette. Together, camp participants will strengthen team-building and problem-solving skills as well as challenge musical creativity. All campers will demonstrate the fruits of their efforts in a final concert.
Sample Daily Schedule:
9:00 – 9:15: Welcome and Announcements
9:15 – 10:30: Orchestra Rehearsal
10:30 – 12:00: Collaborations with Opera Lafayette
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch
1:00 – 1:45: Small Masterclass
1:45 – 2:30: Chamber Ensembles
2:45 – 3:45: Collaborations with Opera Lafayette
3:45 – 4:00: Dismissal
*Note: This schedule is an example of a typical camp day. Actual schedule subject to change.
Ages: 9-13 (Rising 4th – 8th Graders)
Dates: Week 1: July 3 – 7, 2023 (no camp July 4)
Week 2: July 10 – 14, 2023
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuition: $1,100
Location: Mason Fairfax Campus, deLaski Performing Arts Building
Application Process
- One to two years of playing experience is desirable. A video audition is required for placement to participate in this program. Please upload one video with all application requirements to YouTube as an unlisted video and paste the video link in the online application form. Students will be notified of acceptance as soon as possible.
- Audition Material: (1) 2 contrasting excerpts and a scale that best demonstrate your ability (5 minutes total) and (2) Please make sure both hands are visible at all times.
Application Deadline is May 15, 2023. All Admission Decisions will be sent by May 20, 2023.
Covid Safety Information
- Mason Community Arts Academy follows all safety protocols required by George Mason University. Visit our COVID Safety Guidelines for more information.
- Mask & PPE Requirements—Masks are optional, but strongly recommended, for students and faculty in all programming. *See University Policy on Face Coverings for full details.
- George Mason Offers Covid Vaccine Appointments
Program Faculty

June Huang
Director
Mason Dewberry School of Music Professor
Prof. June Huang is the Director of Strings and Assistant Professor of Violin at the Dewberry School of Music. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in applied violin, chamber music, pedagogy, and string methods. Prof. Huang has a Master of Arts from the University of California at Santa Barbara where she was a member of the Young Artist String Quartet. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory and attended the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as an undergraduate. Prof. Huang studied at the Meadowmount School of Music, Aspen Music Festival, Banff Centre for the Arts, and Kneisel Hall. Her primary teachers include Stephen Clapp and Ronald Copes.
Prof. Huang has performed with the National Philharmonic, Harrisburg Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Wolf Trap Orchestra, Washington Ballet Orchestra, and Amadeus Orchestra. She is a frequent chamber music collaborator and has appeared at the Staunton Music Festival, Red Lodge Music Festival, and Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia. A specialist on the baroque violin, Ms. Huang plays and records with Opera Lafayette, Four Nations, and REBEL Baroque Orchestra. Leadership positions have included concertmaster of the Washington Bach Consort and the Washington National Cathedral Baroque Orchestra.
Prof. Huang is certified by the Suzuki Association of the America and is a member of the initial cohort of Communicating Honor for Diversity. As a grant recipient from the Levine School of Music, she visited Matsumoto and studied violin pedagogy with Dr. Suzuki. Prof. Huang is an active clinician and was the Founder and Director of String Camp and Strings Plus at Levine Music in Washington DC for 27 seasons. She currently directs the Mason Community Arts Academy Strings Camp and High School String Intensive.
Professor Huang is a member of the Editorial Committee of the American String Teachers Association and a presenter at the ASTA National Conference for 2022 and 2023. Additionally, she will perform and present at the Midwest Clinic and at the state conferences of the Virginia Music Teachers Association and the Virginia Music Educators Association this season. Prof. Huang is studying the intersection of music education and citizenship, and she intends to complete a Masters Certificate in Contemporary Dispute Resolution at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution next May.
Term Assistant Professor of Music
- Director of Strings
- Applied Violin
- String Pedagogy
- Chamber Music
Degrees
- MA, Music Performance, University of California at Santa Barbara
- BM, Music, Oberlin Conservatory

Opera Lafayette is the pre-eminent American interpreter and producer of period-instrument opera from the 17th through the 19th centuries and an international leader in this repertoire. Based on meticulous research and the creation of modern performing editions, the company’s compelling performances and recordings of rediscovered gems and historical masterpieces highlight the works’ original appeal and introduce a new generation to their contemporary relevance.
More information on Opera Lafayette Faculty will be available soon!
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for summer group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Online registration closes 2 business days before the first class, however space may still be available. Please contact academy@gmu.edu for more information. A $10 late registration fee may apply.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at academy@gmu.edu.