For middle-school and high-school music students, the program is designed to broaden and enhance skills and knowledge.  It is required that students have basic background, middle-school level and above, but not necessarily in jazz or Latin fields.  The Camp is a college-campus resident experience which includes fully supervised dorm accommodations.  Class sizes are conservative to permit significant personal attention.

In addition to classroom and outdoor study locations, learning will include the history of Latin music by Bobby Sanabria and a field trip with him for all students to experience the genre.  The curriculum will include bossa nova and Brazilian jazz as well as mambo/salsa, and evening jam sessions with professional artists.  You will be required to bring your own instruments and be responsible for them on campus and in your dorm room.  Exceptions will include piano, drum set and percussion instruments--if you play these instruments, you will be contacted to reserve availability. 

You will participate in activities with RO campers and Baldwin-Wallace band and classical camp students from around the country.  This is summertime--we want learning to be fun and out of the ordinary with opportunities to make new friendships through the common bond of music!

Please complete all forms and return by May 1 or June 15, as applicable for tuition deadlines.  Applicants will be selected on the basis of your application and references.  Supplemental information, recordings, etc submitted with your application will be appreciated and beneficial to your selection.  Placement levels will be determined by audition the first day of camp following registration activities.

Bobby Sanabria, internationally renowned drummer/percussionist, composer, arranger, educator, and multi-Grammy-nominated recording artist is the Camp's Artist-in-Residence for the fourth consecutive year.  Bobby will oversee the curriculum and class instruction provided by our professional Latin-jazz artists and degreed music educators, who will be specifically selected in accordance with the needs and levels of enrolled students.  Bobby will exclusively handle individual instruction for advanced students as well as rehearse and direct the public performances, teach group-percussion classes for all levels, and be available for personal consultations.

Bobby lectures and demonstrates the five-beat rhythm of the clave--the key to Afro-Cuban music which remains the core of the musical styles of today, including Rock & Roll and Hip-Hop.  Playing a wide variety of percussion instruments and a full drum set, he creates a poly-rhythmic musical journey through history from West Africa to the Caribbean, into New Orleans and New York City.  The traditional West-African-rooted "Call-and-Response" will have you up on your feet dancing, singing, clapping to the beat.

The Roberto Ocasio Latin Jazz Music Camp includes experiences that offer extra exposure to the rhythms and the music while having fun at the same time.  And the fun includes a field trip each year to a special destination.  For instance, hopping a bus for dinner and a jazz show at NightTown, noted as one of the best jazz clubs in the U.S.  For the occasion, Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Aché flew in from NYC to perform for us and a house audience of Latin-jazz aficionados.  Next morning's bonus was a master class with Bobby and his internationally renowned musicians Peter Brainin (sax, flute), Enrique Haneine (piano), and Alex Hernandez (bass).  Link below to sample some of the highlights and fun.  Or we may go to the North Coast beach and enjoy a sunset supper next to the waves while listening to authentic Caribbean music by a band from Trinidad and Tabago.  Each year is a surprise!

The purpose of the Roberto Ocasio Camp Financial Assistance Program is to help young students further their personal and professional development regardless of their economic means, provided they have the desire, discipline, basic training and skill levels.  Assistance is made possible through Foundation resources or by individual or company sponsors from the community.

A Camp Application form and Financial Request form must be submitted together with a $50 application fee by May 1.  All information provided in the Camp Application form and Financial Request is reviewed very carefully, the ability of the applicant is evaluated, and the Camp's enrollment and financial resources are assessed before a decision is made.

If your application is approved, the $50 fee will be applicable toward attendance.  If your assistance application is not approved, your $50 fee will be returned to you within 30 days of notification.  Financial assistance covers tuition, room and board, camp materials, and instruction costs only.  Applicants are encouraged to also seek possible sources of funding within their schools and communities.

Total tuition will be refunded less $35 administrative fee for cancellations received in writing before
June 10. Refunds limited to 50% of total tuition for cancellations received in writing after June 10.

Any school or music organization registering a minimum of 10 students who attend and complete the 2010 Roberto Ocasio Latin Jazz Music Camp will receive a complimentary lecture/demonstration or group instruction by Bobby Sanabria.

Any school or organization registering a minimum of 5 students who attend and complete the Camp will receive a complimentary performance or workshop by the musicians from The Roberto Ocasio Latin Jazz Project.

Note:  Sessions to be held at your school during the 2011/12 term, according to school schedule and musicians' availability.  Beyond 100-mile radius of Cleveland, Ohio, subject to reasonable travel arrangements and costs.