Summer Performing Arts Intensives
Young Artists of America, 5301 Tuckerman Ln, North Bethesda, MD 20852
About
Summer Performing Arts Intensives offers musical theatre training that includes voice, acting, dance, and performance ensembles for instrumentalists, singers, actors, and dancers. Participants take part in intensive dance instruction, intensive acting instruction, and robust technical theatre and design instruction through classes and workshops for singers, actors, and dancers. The program includes full stage productions, final showcases, capstone projects, and final shareformances, as well as orchestral training and immersive musical theatre instruction.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Six-day overnight intensives in dance, acting, and technical theatre and design with room and board plus a Final Showcase or Capstone Project; two-week daytime programs with classes plus either a full stage production or a final shareformance; two-week overnight conservatories with immersive musical theatre instruction, room and board, plus a full stage production.
Since 2011, Young Artists of America has offered orchestral and musical theater training programs for elementary through high school students and has reimagined the landscape of performing arts training by nurturing an inclusive community of storytellers. The organization describes its mission as providing a brave space for young artists at all skill levels and various ages to experiment, take risks, and imagine the world through their artistry, with an emphasis on individualized relationships between students, teaching artists, and professional mentors. Young Artists of America states that it is a 501(c)3 non-profit that subsidizes tuition to keep costs as low as possible and makes scholarships available as needed, and that it is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive community where all young performers committed to honing their craft are welcome regardless of experience, finances, race, gender, or creed.
The leadership team for Summer Performing Arts Intensives includes Executive Director Lisa Larragoite, Producing Artistic Director Rolando Sanz, Music Director Kristofer Sanz, YAAJunior Director Paul Heinemann, YAAKids Director Joanna Hughes, Production Manager Jackie Muska (née Bautista), Company Manager Randee Hahn, Development Manager Susanne Burrows, Operations Manager Jessica Heinemann, Development Associate Tiani Thorne, Development Operations Specialist Miriam Zarin, Summer Intensives Director Terry Eberhardt, and Lead Camp Parent Karen Blake.
Young Artists of America reports that its productions are fully symphonic, fully staged, and costumed, and that it has performed on world-class stages and hosted Tony-winning Broadway and classical performers as guest mentors. The program notes that it has been voted one of the best summer camps by the Washington City Paper Reader's Poll multiple times and that it has won awards including a Regional Emmy. According to the organization, it has paved the careers for many budding industry performers and has created a rehearsal space in Rockville, Maryland large enough to bring its artist community together under one roof for the first time in its history.
Testimonials from campers describe learning how to improve as a performer and person, feeling welcomed at all levels of dance while being pushed to reach their full potential, and experiencing supportive staff and students who also provide challenge when needed. Campers also report that they have grown and flourished as young artists, learned to be okay with themselves, and describe the training and people they work with at Young Artists of America as unlike anything anywhere else.
Last updated July 21, 2026.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Six-day overnight intensives in dance, acting, and technical theatre and design with room and board plus a Final Showcase or Capstone Project; two-week daytime programs with classes plus either a full stage production or a final shareformance; two-week overnight conservatories with immersive musical theatre instruction, room and board, plus a full stage production.
Since 2011, Young Artists of America has offered orchestral and musical theater training programs for elementary through high school students and has reimagined the landscape of performing arts training by nurturing an inclusive community of storytellers. The organization describes its mission as providing a brave space for young artists at all skill levels and various ages to experiment, take risks, and imagine the world through their artistry, with an emphasis on individualized relationships between students, teaching artists, and professional mentors. Young Artists of America states that it is a 501(c)3 non-profit that subsidizes tuition to keep costs as low as possible and makes scholarships available as needed, and that it is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive community where all young performers committed to honing their craft are welcome regardless of experience, finances, race, gender, or creed.
The leadership team for Summer Performing Arts Intensives includes Executive Director Lisa Larragoite, Producing Artistic Director Rolando Sanz, Music Director Kristofer Sanz, YAAJunior Director Paul Heinemann, YAAKids Director Joanna Hughes, Production Manager Jackie Muska (née Bautista), Company Manager Randee Hahn, Development Manager Susanne Burrows, Operations Manager Jessica Heinemann, Development Associate Tiani Thorne, Development Operations Specialist Miriam Zarin, Summer Intensives Director Terry Eberhardt, and Lead Camp Parent Karen Blake.
Young Artists of America reports that its productions are fully symphonic, fully staged, and costumed, and that it has performed on world-class stages and hosted Tony-winning Broadway and classical performers as guest mentors. The program notes that it has been voted one of the best summer camps by the Washington City Paper Reader's Poll multiple times and that it has won awards including a Regional Emmy. According to the organization, it has paved the careers for many budding industry performers and has created a rehearsal space in Rockville, Maryland large enough to bring its artist community together under one roof for the first time in its history.
Testimonials from campers describe learning how to improve as a performer and person, feeling welcomed at all levels of dance while being pushed to reach their full potential, and experiencing supportive staff and students who also provide challenge when needed. Campers also report that they have grown and flourished as young artists, learned to be okay with themselves, and describe the training and people they work with at Young Artists of America as unlike anything anywhere else.
Last updated July 21, 2026.
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