Overview
Summer Guitar Camp is a one-week guitar workshop for beginners, and those with beginner level experience, ages 10–18 who are interested in learning the basics of guitar. Guided by Mason Community Arts Academy Teaching Artist and Grammy nominated educator, Glen McCarthy, students will split into age groups and work with professional musicians in daily masterclasses learning special topics, guitar notation forms, how to play melodies and songs, strum chords, and play together as an ensemble. Students will explore the various styles of guitar from classical to jazz to flamenco!
This is a perfect guitar summer camp for students to learn to love the guitar and prepare for individual lessons or a school guitar program.
Students must bring their own acoustic guitar (nylon strings required), a non-refrigerated nut-free snack and lunch, and a water bottle.
Program Details
Ages: 10–18
Dates: June 29–July 3, 2026
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Tuition: $495
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, Virginia
Program Faculty
Glen McCarthy
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Glen McCarthy teaches class guitar, required of all music education majors and guitar pedagogy at George Mason University. He has been a guest lecturer, clinician and adjudicator at festivals, conferences and workshops both nationally and internationally. He is the past chair of the National Association for Music Education Council for Guitar Education, the past chair of the American String Teachers Association Guitar-in-the-Schools Committee and director and clinician for Teaching Guitar Workshops.
He teaches guitar classes and private lessons at the Mason Community Arts Academy. His curriculum is different for each student, “Guitar is so multi-faceted. What a student wants to learn is the cue I need to develop that student’s potential.” He also teaches class guitar at the Hylton Center to Veterans and first responders.
Mr. McCarthy retired from Fairfax County, Virginia after 30 years at Robinson Secondary School where he developed a multi-level guitar program. Robinson was the first recipient of the Guitar & Accessories Marketing Association’s award to recognize innovative guitar programming in the United States. Under his direction, the Robinson Guitar Ensemble performed in numerous venues and was consistently awarded superior ratings at adjudicated festivals.
In 2014 from over 32,000 nominees the Grammy Foundation recognized Glen as one of the top ten music educators in the United States. He continues to perform in numerous venues and genres.
Notes
- Mason Community Arts Academy reserves the right to use photographs or videos taken of participants during classes or programs for use in Academy publications and social media channels for promotional purposes only. See more about our Media Release Policy.
- 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 one week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Tuition can be paid in full or split into a two-payment installment plan for a one-time $10 fee. Half of the total tuition is due at the time of registration with the remaining balance automatically charged on May 1. Registrations processed after May 1 require full tuition payment upfront. All registrations are subject to a $3.00 processing fee per receipt.
- Limited scholarship funds are available for families in need of financial assistance. To apply, please visit: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/about-us/financial-aid/. For families in need of extended payment plan installment options, please contact the Academy at [email protected].
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at [email protected].
- For-credit programs only: A tuition refund minus a $125 cancelation fee will be given provided that notice is received by the Mason Community Arts Academy no later than one week before the program start date. No refunds will be granted after this date.