Summer Camp

[Mission]
To lead young musicians into a growing relationship with Jesus by equipping and empowering students as both worshippers and musicians.

[Objectives]
Providing an enriching educational experience for young musicians, which integrates faith and the practice of music within a worship context – practical skills with a developing heart of worship. Offering the structure and tools for older musicians and worship leaders to invest in the development of youth.

[Format]
The format is a day camp–style clinic in a similar vein to Day Jams, School of Rock or Camp Jams; all of which are national programs with summer camps in major cities including Atlanta (there is also a local program at Music Authority).

[Goal]
Our goal is to add a unique voice to the vast expressions of music education with a program that intentionally fosters the tools and heart for young musicians engaging in the distinctive context of Christian worship. The goal is not to replace, compete or “Christianize” programs like those mentioned, but instead to simply invest in students and invest toward the life of a worshipping Church.

[Specifics]
3 day camp
9am to 4pm
Goal of a 5-1 student to staff ratio
As minimal cost to students as possible

[Activities]
Group and private lessons with a specific instrument (guitar, bass, drums)
Daily classes in music theory, reading, voice and ear training
Daily small groups with facilitated discussions on worship and character
Daily breakouts with a student band and a coach
Master classes - recording, improvisation, music history, practice skills…
Age approriate games, free practice time and jamming
Lunch and snacks
Final performance and/or a recording project

[Joseph’s Bio/Background]
I started my journey as a musician in a church youth group and really grew up as a bass player and guitar player within a worship music setting. My faith roots are within the Vineyard church movement and playing with various worship leaders provided the foundation for my musicianship and spiritual growth. I relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville in my twenties, playing with singer-songwriters and a few country artists, while working for a record company. It wasn’t long before I was immersed back into church worship music, which is how I was introduced to North Point Church.

My journey as a musician has brought a wide variety of vocational opportunities (day jobs) that provide a unique mix of skills specific to music education within a worship context. I am a graduate of Fuller Theological seminary. While at seminary, I spent two summers directing a marine science–focused summer camp called Mountain and Sea Adventures. After seminary, I taught science and developed an after-school guitar class at Drew Middle School in Compton, California. I am also a graduate of Los Angeles Music Academy, which brought cohesion to my vision for training worshippers. As a music teacher, I have taught students at numerous music programs in Los Angeles including Groovin on Music, Instruments of Praise, Arcadia Christian School and Desert Vineyard Christian School… and in Cumming, GA at Music Authority.

My wife, daughter and I relocated to Georgia about one year ago. We came recognizing that something quite extravagant is going on here in Atlanta with regard to church ministry. We believe that we are in a great place to invest our lives, skills, talents and hearts in the lives of people for the Gospel of Jesus. My wife currently works at reThink as an editor/writer for XP3 Students– the middle school and high school curriculum. In addition to playing occasionally at Browns Bridge Church and teaching bass guitar lessons, I work at Chick-fil-a at the Avenue.