Stetson Young Singers - Summer Camp
Join us for a week of singing, friendship, and music-making at Stetson University, July 13-17, 2026! The Stetson Young Singers Summer Camp is a place where young singers can grow in their musical skills, build confidence and make new friends in a welcoming and inspiring musical environment. Whether your singer is brand new to choir or already loves to sing, this camp is designed to help every singer learn, grow, and shine.
Singers will join one of our camp groups based on age and spend the week making music, learning new songs, playing games, building friendships and preparing for an exciting final concert!
Stetson Small Voices Morning Camp for students ages 5-7 | Tuition: $150
Young Singers Day Camp for students ages 8-18 | Tuition: $300
We have four ensembles designed to allow the singers to work with voices on a similar level. The first day of camp is a “sorting day,” and we are very flexible. We consider age, experience, friends and enrollment numbers to create these smaller groups. But we also rehearse twice a day as a large group to experience the strength of all our voices together.
Our main goal is simple: great-sounding choirs made up of singers who love being there!
- Small Voices (ages 5–7) these singers must have completed kindergarten
- Discovery Choir (approx. ages 8–10)
- Apprentice Choir (approx. ages 11–13)
- Young Singers Choir (approx. ages 14–18)
Each day begins with waking up the body and the voice.
Team challenges and games
Large Group rehearsal
Small ensemble rehearsals
Lunch for Young Singer Camp (Dismissal for Small Voices)
Small (specialized) rehearsals
Large group rehearsal
Team Challenges and games.
Materials covered in rehearsal time:
- Vocal technique
- Music reading skills
- New choral music
- Movement and performance skills
- Performance skills
- Team building
Small Voices (ages 5-7):
8:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Campers should bring a water bottle and a mid-morning snack daily.
Final concert for Small Voices is on Friday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m.
Young Singers (ages 8-18):
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Campers should bring a water bottle, a snack and lunch daily.
Final concert for Young Singers is on Friday, July 17 at 4:30 p.m.
Some singers walk in on the first day not knowing a single person. By the end of the week, they are laughing, singing and standing next to friends who feel like they’ve known them for years. That’s the kind of week we hope every singer experiences here.
Many of our singers continue with us during the fall and spring semesters, and many return summer after summer. No matter how long a singer stays, every singer matters, every voice matters and every singer becomes part of our choir family.
2026 Welcome Packet coming soon
At Stetson Young Singers, we believe every child has a voice and a place to belong. We welcome singers in 3rd grade and older, with all levels of experience, to join a program where students grow not only as singers, but also in confidence, discipline, teamwork and friendships.
We strive to build professional-level ensembles that challenge and inspire young musicians while creating an environment where students feel supported, valued and proud of the music they create together. Many of our singers stay in the program for many years because it becomes more than a choir, it becomes a community.
Camp Directors
Melinda Fradley is the Artistic Director of Stetson University Young Singers and Director of Choral Activities at DeLand Middle School in Florida. Known for her warmth, creativity, and dedication to student growth, she has spent her career inspiring young singers across Volusia County. She previously led the Deland High School Chorus as Artistic Director and began her career teaching music in elementary schools —laying a strong foundation for generations of musicians.
For ten years, Melinda served as a conductor with the Stetson University Children's Choir alongside Dr. Ann Small, and in 2019, she was honored to serve as the Jean Faircloth Principal Conductor for the Savannah Children's Choir. That same year, she taught as a guest professor at the City of Beijing University in China, collaborating with Professor Lingfen Wu. Melinda holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Educational Leadership from Stetson University.
Melinda is a sought-after clinician, adjudicator, and mentor. She serves as Florida ACDA Honors Chair and is an active member of both NAfME and ACDA. She also sings professionally as a section leader with Orlando Sings under Dr. Andrew Minear and as a longtime member and past president of The Festival Singers of Florida, directed by Dr. Kevin Fenton. Melinda has been twice recognized as Teacher of the Year—at McInnis Elementary in 1999 and DeLand High School in 2014. She brings joy, passion, and a sense of community to everything she does, whether conducting a choir, mentoring young educators, or making music with friends.
She has performed at the Florida Music Educators Conference and directed the first Volusia All-County Ukulele Ensemble in 2022. She has collaborated with leading choral artists, including Brandon Boyd, Russell Robinson, Kevin Fenton, Andrew Minear, Tim Peter, Jason Max Ferdinand, Cara Tasher, and David Brunner.
Her passion for music began at age four, playing TV theme songs by ear—an early spark that grew into a lifelong commitment to inspire through music. Outside of her professional roles, Angie is a proud wife and mother of three. She supports her children's musical and athletic activities, serves on local band boards, and performs in her church praise band. In her free time, she enjoys reading, shopping at TJ Maxx, solving puzzles, indulging in chocolate, and finding new ways to make music a joyful part of everyday life.
Camp Leadership
- Shane Thomas, Guest Clinician - Alum of both Stetson Young Singers and Stetson University. Current DCA of Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Thomas will be joining us this summer and bringing his years of experience working with all ages of singers and running outstanding choral camps and workshops.
- Johnathan Anderson, Choral Director, University High School, Stetson Alum
- Iris Lancaster, Music Teacher, Space Coast Christian Academy
- Ellen Samaha, Music Teacher, SYS Alum
- Sydney Leduc, Choral Director, Lakeview Middle School, Stetson Alum
- Rebecca Flaherty, Founder & Artistic Director, SING, Music Teacher, Marshpoint Elementary
- Jenny Ridgway, Choir Mom, SYS Alum
- Lisa Nall, Collaborative Artist
- Natalie Cantlay, 3rd year undergraduate, University of North Florida, Music Ed, SYS Alum
- Jeremy Roldan, Choral Director, Innovation Middle School
- Oliver Flaherty, 2nd year undergraduate, Furman University, Voice, SYS Alum
Questions?
Melinda Fradley, Artistic Director, Stetson Young Singers: [email protected]