Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation Programs

Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation Programs includes Summer Stage, a performing arts summer program that has run since 1976 and brings over 800 young people from across the Philadelphia region together each summer to create eight professional-quality shows over six weeks. It also includes MusicMan Academy programs such as MusicMan Camp, JazzJam! Camp, Stellar Strings Camp, Butterfly Buddies, Delaware County Flute Choir, Sonic Sandbox, and AMP Camp, along with SPARC offerings and pop-up classes.

Programs

• Summer Stage — children and young people; grades for whom the program is designed are listed in camp descriptions · summer months · Performing arts summer program; since 1976; over 800 young people from across the Philadelphia region come together each summer to create eight professional-quality shows over six weeks.
• MusicMan Academy — children and adults · summer and year-round
• MusicMan Camp — children · summer · Included in MusicMan Academy programs.
• JazzJam! Camp — children · summer · Included in MusicMan Academy programs.
• Stellar Strings Camp — children · summer · Included in MusicMan Academy programs.
• Butterfly Buddies — children · summer and year-round · Included in MusicMan Academy programs.
• Delaware County Flute Choir — children and adults · year-round · Included in MusicMan Academy programs.
• Sonic Sandbox — children and adults · year-round · Included in MusicMan Academy programs.
• AMP Camp — children and adults · coming soon · Music production camp; coming soon.
• SPARC — all ages beginning Summer 2026 · summer and year-round · The Foundation has begun offering pop-up classes in various locations in anticipation of opening SPARC in Barclay Square.

At a glance

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• General schedule: Summer camps and year-round options; the Foundation has also begun offering pop-up classes in various locations throughout the community in anticipation of opening SPARC in Barclay Square.

About the provider

The Foundation says it is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people and residents through educational programming, arts opportunities, and community service. Its leadership team includes Executive Director Justin Heimbecker, Associate Executive Director Jennifer Schoener, Director of Development Erik Christ, Office Manager Ryan Stone, Director of Education Rachel Brown, Summer Stage Artistic & Managing Director Chris Luner, SPARC Administrative Director Amanda Ehst, SPARC Building Manager Johnathan McNamee, and Marketing Coordinator Lauren Wall. Upper Darby Summer Stage is described as award-winning and was named one of the Top Five Performing Arts Summer Camps in America by Playbill, and the Foundation has earned a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.

If in need of financial aid, you must apply for a scholarship before enrolling in a SPARC program. Limited funds available. Participants are expected to have completed the grades listed in camp descriptions during the 2025-26 school year.

What families say

“Being a Greenie (MusicMan Camp staff member) gave me the opportunity to start guided teaching at a young age— which made me realize that I want to be a music educator!” — Mia Yocco, Music Education Major, West Chester University

“I can see the impact of Summer Stage on my own life and the lives of many others, and I am proud to pass on this love of art and the importance of community to my children. This is the legacy of Summer Stage— finding a place to call home and a way to share the magic, on or off stage.” — Kelly Ann Pipe, Summer Stage parent and former participant

“My son loves the art at camp. He gets to create in ways that cater to his interests, like integrating letters into his art. He enjoys meeting new people and expressing himself through his art, especially since he’s not very verbal. It’s been a great process, and he loves it here—he just wishes it lasted longer!” — Parent, Butterfly Buddy Camp

Last updated October 21, 2026.