Instructional Faculty

Overview

Blue Lake faculty members serve as instructors, motivators, performers, and positive role models for campers in the instructional program – both Majors and Minors. Faculty members also serve as a resource for counseling staff members pursuing careers in the arts and education through occasional consulting, coaching, and private instruction. Faculty members are expected to maintain a regular presence at evening events and camper performances throughout each camp session.

Faculty members also assist with minor class instruction, opening day placements, and written evaluations for parents.

Most faculty positions are two or four weeks in length and are divided between the Intermediate and High School sessions. The dates for the 2026 season are listed below and include faculty arrival/orientation day:

• Session 1 (high school):
  June 23 - July 5
• Session 2 (high school):
  July 7 - July 19
• Session 3 (intermediate):
  July 21 - August 2
• Session 4 (intermediate):
  August 4 - August 16

Salary for faculty is based on degree(s) held and previous experience. The starting rate ranges from $635 (Bachelor’s) to $755 (Doctorate) per two-week session, plus room and board. Travel to camp is not reimbursed, but those who commute to campus daily are reimbursed mileage. International applicants must be able to obtain a work authorization prior to employment.

Specific Program Areas for Instructional Faculty:

Art: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for art majors and minor students. Serve as resource for all visual art related activities in the camp and provide group instruction and guidance in a classroom setting. Art faculty also assist with exhibit preparation and show presentation. Focus areas include:
Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Mixed Media (Metal Arts, Screen-printing, etc.).

Piano: Serve as instructor and performer in the camp instructional program. Piano faculty instruct classes in theory, keyboard ensemble, minor classes, and private lessons. Piano faculty also perform in master classes and recitals, and may lecture on a variety of topics.

Harp: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for harp majors and minor students. Harp faculty instruct classes in theory, harp history, ensemble performance, and private lessons. Harpists may also perform in faculty recitals and Festival Orchestra and Band as requested.

Theater / Musical Theater / Shakespeare: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for theater majors and minor students. Theater faculty instruct technique classes in voice, movement, script analysis, stage combat, musical theater dance, and basic Stanislavskian acting while directing or devising short, equal opportunity performances for either contemporary acting, Shakespeare, or musical theater final camper presentations.

Creative Writing: Teach poetry and prose writing in classroom and outdoor settings for creative writing majors and minor students. Support and supervise studio time for independent work. Serve as a resource for all Creative Writing department activities. Assist with preparation of student anthologies and end-of-session readings. Select Creative Writing faculty members may also present their work at faculty readings or in other venues.

Dance: Assist with organization and implementation of the instructional program for dance majors and minor students. Dance instructors teach ballet technique, pointe or pre-pointe, stretching, partnering, contemporary dance, and improvisation. Dance faculty also assist with rehearsals for final performance or demonstration.

Voice: Teach voice students in sectionals, technique, theory, and ear training classes. Assist with choir rehearsals, minor classes, and chamber music. Select voice faculty members may also perform in faculty recitals and in other venues as requested.

Ensemble Conductors: Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Choir. Conduct student ensembles in two full rehearsals each day. Work with sectional teachers to set goals and meet needs of the ensemble. Conductors routinely attend sectional classes and…