Non Classical Music Camps For Strings
For violinists, violists, or cellists looking to explore music beyond classical, summer music camps offer a chance to explore jazz, folk, improvisation, and contemporary styles in a collaborative, immersive environment.
This guide highlights jazz, folk, improvisation, and contemporary music camps for string players of all ages and experience levels.
Table of Contents
✅ Teen & adult-friendly programs
✅ Camps focused on jazz, folk, improv, contemporary, and global music
✅ Options for both in-person and online learning
🎻 Creative Strings Workshop | Asheville, NC & Online
📍 Location: Asheville, NC & Online
📅 Dates: June and July
👥 Ages: Open to teens & adults and orchestral teachers seeking continuing professional development.
Why This Camp?
If you’re a string player who wants to break free from sheet music and learn to improvise, Creative Strings Workshop is a great choice. Led by Christian Howes for over 20 years, this program helps violinists, violists, and cellists develop skills in:
✅ Eclectic mix of Jazz, fiddle styles, latin, and contemporary improvisation
✅ Playing in ensembles, jamming, and performance opportunities
✅ Teacher training
- In-Person Option (Asheville, NC): A multi-day immersive experience with renowned faculty and guest artists. 2025 guest teachers include Jason Anick, Austin Scelzo, Camille Vogley-Howes, Karl Henry, and more.
- Online Option: Participate from anywhere year-round with Zoom guided practice sessions.
🔗 Learn More & Sign Up for our In-Person Camps (two weeks)
🔗 Learn More & Sign Up for our year-round coaching community online.
Checkout our European Workshop and Festival.
Other Non-Classical Summer Music Camps for String Players in 2025
🎻 Jazz & Improvisation Camps
Berklee Global String Intensive | Boston, MA
📅 Dates: June 2025
🎶 Styles: Jazz, rock, world music
👥 Ages: High school students & young adults
🔗 More info → https://summer.berklee.edu/programs/global-string-program
Stanford Jazz Workshop | Stanford, CA
📅 Dates: Summer 2025
🎶 Styles: Jazz
👥 Ages: Teens & adults
🔗 More info → https://stanfordjazz.org
Jazz House Kids Summer Workshop | NYC & Montclair, NJ
📅 Dates: Summer 2025
🎶 Styles: Jazz
👥 Ages: Middle & high school students
🔗 More info → https://jazzhousekids.org/programs/summer/
Django in June | Northampton, MA
📅 Dates: June 2025
🎶 Styles: Gypsy jazz
👥 Ages: Teens & adults
🔗 More info → https://djangoinjune.com/artists/
🎻 Folk, Fiddle & Bluegrass Camps
Swannanoa Gathering – Fiddle Week | Swannanoa, NC
📅 Dates: July 2025
🎶 Styles: Celtic, Appalachian, swing, world fiddle traditions
👥 Ages: All ages
🔗 More info → https://swangathering.com/our-programs/fiddle-week/
Blue Ridge Fiddle Camp | Brevard, NC
📅 Dates: August 2025
🎶 Styles: Bluegrass, folk, improvisation
👥 Ages: All ages
🔗 More info → https://www.blueridgefiddlecamp.com
Big Sur Fiddle Camp | Big Sur, CA
🎶 Styles: Folk & fiddle traditions
🔗 More info → https://www.bigsurfiddlecamp.org
Live Oak Fiddle Camp | Hallettsville, TX
🎶 Styles: Texas-style fiddling & improvisation
🔗 More info → https://liveoakfiddlecamp.com
🎻 Brazilian Choro Camps
Choro Camp New England | Brattleboro, VT
📅 Dates: June 26–July 2, 2025
🎶 Styles: Brazilian choro
🔗 More info → https://chorocamp.com/overview/
Brazilian Popular Music “Choro” Camp | Seattle, WA
📅 Dates: August 4–8, 2025
🎶 Styles: Brazilian choro
🔗 More info → https://www.kareniglitzin.com/choro-camp-seattle
Choro Northwest | Port Townsend, WA
📅 Dates: April 22–27, 2025
🎶 Styles: Choro & Brazilian music
🔗 More info → https://centrum.org/program/choro-northwest/
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to expand your skills, jam with other musicians, or build confidence in improvisation, a summer music camp is a fantastic way to improve and get inspired.
Want help? Contact me at chris@christianhowes.com
