New Summer Camp Brings Popular TV Show To Area Stage

This summer, area young people can sing, dance and perform like the cast of a popular Fox television show during GLEE Camp. The new week-long camp for incoming 6th through 12th graders is offered by the Farmington Hills Special Services Dept. August 1-5. 

Bruce Pooley coordinates and teaches for the camp. 

"Our 'Glee' won't have the drama and social issues of the TV show," Pooley said.  "Our 'Glee' is about the music."

Pooley also hosts The Next Stage, a summer camp that helps singers of all levels become better performers. 

Both camps will take place at the , where the stage will be outfitted with full sound and lighting equipment.

GLEE Camp participants will spend time in both group and individual lessons, focusing on singing, choreography, and stage performance. Pooley will offer guidance in performance, Farmington Hills Youth Choir director Brian Christian will take on vocal instruction, and Tumija Banks, dance instructor, will handle choreography. 

"The GLEE Camp will meld the talents of three great instructors into an enjoyable and valuable experience for any person who wishes to sing and perform onstage," Hills cultural arts supervisor Nancy Coumoundouros said.

Pooley has several personal connections to the television show. His nephew, Kristopher Pooley, is the music director for "Glee" and also for the live tour that will perform at the Palace of Auburn Hills on June 13. In addition, Mark Nilan Jr., son of one of Pooley's business associates, is part of the cast as the on-screen keyboard player. 

"We will be full of surprises for the camp," Pooley said. "We'll have different celebrity guests during the week, but we won't know who until the day comes, because schedules can change so quickly."

Wearable Art Camp

In addition to GLEE Camp, a new Wearable Art Camp will be offered for ages 11-16.  Students will create their own clothing and jewelry during this half-day camp July 6-8.

"Wearable Art will be a ton of fun for anyone who loves to design unique, one of a kind clothing or jewelry, and is taught by Faina Lerman, one of our  very creative, artistic teachers," Coumoundouros said.

Returning camps include World Rhythm Music Camp (ages 8-12), Young Rembrandt's Drawing Classes (ages 5-7 and 7-12), and Art Adventure Camp, which includes a range of art activities in one week-long camp.

For more information about these camps and others, including sports camps, call Farmington Hills Special Services at 248-473-1800, or visit fhgov.com and click on "2011 Summer Camp Brochure."  To register online, visit https://recreg.fhgov.com.