Subject: 🎺 May News from MCMA 🎶

Studio Updates

May 2026

At MCMA, we are so grateful for all the volunteers who have made our events possible over the years! Our small staff could not have pulled it all off without their help. And that could be where you come in! We are looking for new volunteers to join our Events Committee this spring. Or, if committees aren't your thing, we always welcome new volunteers who can offer their time and talents in big or small ways. See below to let us know if you'd like to be involved!

Please read on to learn about our next community jam and summer offerings, to meet our Student of the Month, and to mark your calendars for more beautiful music this season!

MEET OUR APRIL STUDENT OF THE MONTH!

Sylvan has been taking percussion lessons at MCMA over the past year. Their teacher, Evan Lattimore, had this to say:

"Sylvan is a joy to teach — they are an awesome student!

Sylvan approaches each lesson with curiosity and mathematically digs into the depths of complex rhythms. Sylvan is always well prepared. On the snare drum they have mastered the first pages of Stick Control, which covers simple and complex patterns of single stroke, double and triple stroke, and paradiddle sticking combinations. They also read drum rhythms with precise subdivision. On the drum set Sylvan is playing a variety of rock grooves with improvised fills and breaks in four bar patterns. In addition to snare and drum set Sylvan has explored lessons on latin rhythms on the conga drums, classical music on the tympani, and melodic improvisation on the vibraphone.

Sylvan is fun to work with. They always have their own take on things and are up for a new challenge. Way to Go Sylvan!"

COMMUNITY JAM!

Join us for our next Community Jam on Friday, May 15 at 5:30 PM at Midcoast Music Academy! Led by Tom Luther, this event is open to all MCMA students and their musical family members, and is an opportunity for anyone to gain group playing experience in a supportive, relaxed environment. Registration is appreciated but not required:

Community Jam

THIS COULD BE YOUR SUMMER!

North Atlantic blues Festival MCMA July 17, 2022

At what other summer camp can you go from forming a band to performing at the North Atlantic Blues Festival all in one week? That could be you or your child this summer at our Blues Intensive Camp! We still have room in all four camps, but the spots for certain instruments have been claimed. See below for what's still available!

Girls Rock Mini-Camp: June 29-July 3
There is still room for bass, guitar, vocals, and keys.

Blues Intensive: July 6-10, which includes a performance at the North Atlantic Blues Festival!

There is still room for vocals, guitar, horns, and woodwinds.

Gig Camp: July 27-31, which includes a performance at the Maine Lobster Festival (among other shows)!

There is still room for vocals, bass, horns, and woodwinds.

Jazz Intensive: August 10-14

This camp is by nomination/invitation and is free to attend thanks to the generosity of the Eric Davis Jazz Fund. There is still room for all instruments. Nomination information has been sent to public schools and private instructors known to us. If anyone would like to let their instructor or music teacher know about the opportunity, send them the link to the nomination form on the registration page, which has all the details for the week.

Summer Camp Registration

SUMMER SESSION: SIGN UP MAY 15

Registration for summer lessons begins May 15. Summer is a flexible 8-week session running June 29 to August 21. There is time to take as many lessons as you like during that time period, or even to try a new instrument or ensemble. Current students: keep an eye out for an email from Maddy with your instructor’s summer availability! If you'd like to set up an intro lesson, contact us at the button below:

Intro Lesson

We also have some wonderful group opportunities this summer - click below for our summer ensemble offerings:

Summer Ensembles

EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Photo by Jack Sullivan

We can’t do it without you! Midcoast Music Academy is revitalizing its Events Committee and looking for volunteers to help support its mission, fundraising efforts and community awareness.

The committee will plan and assist with events such as student performances, fundraising concerts, instrument/gear swaps and community-wide celebrations, while also helping to identify new fundraising opportunities and secure sponsorships. Members will meet 6–8 times per year as needed. As a nonprofit, MCMA relies on fundraising for 40% of our operating budget to ensure no student is turned away and to provide fair wages for our faculty and staff. Interested in learning more? Email committee chair (and rock star performer) Kate Clark here:

Events Committee

Excited to be involved but not ready to join the committee? We still need you! Sign up to volunteer in whatever ways you can here:

FACULTY UPDATES

Kate Fiano

Kate will be playing at The Sonic Café, a Singer-Songwriter Open Mic sponsored by the Camden Festival of Poetry on May 14th at Pascal Hall in Rockport, 7:00 - 9:00pm. FREE and Open to the Public. Info here!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Bagaduce Music:

American roots musician Eli West brings his distinctive blend of old-time, bluegrass, and country music for three concerts and a workshop May 15–17

Tickets and details here!

Villager Cafe:

Louisa Stancioff: A night of storytelling & music.

Friday, May 22, 2026

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

25 Mechanic St. Camden.

$20 Tickets here!

Basil Burwell Community Theater:

Indie band The Speed of Sound and soul powerhouse Kenya Hall and her band join forces for a night of rock, R&B, and deep groove.

Friday, May 29

Doors: 6:30, music: 7:00
17 Court St, Belfast

$20 advance or $25 at the door Tickets here!

Camden:

Come enjoy great music at the beautiful Camden Opera House & throughout the town. The MCMA Faculty Jazz Ensemble (with student guests) performs Friday, June 12th at 12:30pm on the Village Green in Camden! More info here!

IMPORTANT DATES

May 15: Community Jam at MCMA 5:30pm (new date)
May 15: summer lesson registration opens
May 25: Memorial Day: MCMA closed
(Monday lessons happen Friday, May 29)
June 12, 12:30pm: MCMA Faculty Jazz Ensemble at the Village Green in Camden (opens Jazz in June weekend)
June 21: End of Semester Recital, 12:30pm, at the Strand