Music Academy Returns to Enchanted Hills

Please note – see date changes below!

Dancing Dots and its founder Bill McCann have developed software and procedures which allow blind musicians to read and emboss Braille and large-print music, to independently record performances and to achieve higher levels of critical listening. McCann has pioneered this specialized music academy in Canada and the U.S. and will join Enchanted Hills the week August 3, 2014 for a very special blind music academy limited to 20 students.

“Not only did [experiencing Music Academy] revive my love for music and the desire to improve again, but I was constantly impressed by the talent and dedication of everyone around me. Through creating a supportive community of young musicians, promoting flexibility, and empowering us to have experiences and take on new goals, Music Academy both inspired and humbled me to appreciate and learn from all the participants around me.” – Judith Lung, Music Academy attendee

If you are a serious blind musician or are thinking of entering the profession, this academy will introduce you to new ways you can write down your own music, read the works of others, and generally gain the capacity necessary to compete for and win employment in the music field.

Of course the Academy will be more than cool software and recording. Music professionals will join in to talk about what it’s like to be in the business, and participants will likely stay up into the evening improvising and jamming around the pool, campfire and our new Redwood Grove Amphitheater.

The Enchanted Hills Music Academy will draw young motivated blind and visually-impaired participants from around the nation. Attendance will be limited to 20, so please make arrangements to apply for a place at your early convenience.

Last year’s Academy participant Luis Jorgeiro told us, “Music Academy is one of the best things I’ve experienced so far. The attitude and experience of the tutors and mentors is something that encourages people to continue [learning], and the fact that you can socialize with other campers is awesome.”

Read about last year’s Music Academy session here.

The Academy is open for blind and visually impaired musicians 14 to 25 years old that have the temperament and interest level in music to spend a week of the summer focusing exclusively on learning more about how to read, write, arrange and perform music.

NEW DATES: Monday, August 3 through Sunday, August 9
Where: Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind
Cost for the week, all-inclusive: $300
(Limited scholarships will be made available)

To sign up, contact Taccarra Burrell at 451-694-7310 or ehc@lighthouse-sf.org or go to the Enchanted Hills page on our website.