Levitt Jam Camp – Songwriting
Dates: Monday, June 22 – Friday, June 26 | 8:30 a.m. – Noon | Augustana University School of Music
Performance Showcase | Friday, June 26 | 7:00 p.m. | Levitt Stage
Audience | 13-18
Cost | $125 or Pay-What-You-Can
Instructors: Janice Gilbert (music educator and singer/songwriter) and Dr. Emily Roehl (Augustana University)
Enroll now
Join Levitt at the Falls and the Augustana University School of Music for a dynamic summer camp experience, where music intertwines with community, fostering friendships, learning and musical inspiration. Camp participants will learn songwriting skills, build confidence and gain inspiration from local songwriters throughout the week with engaging programming hosted at Augustana University. Levitt Songwriting Camp will culminate with a performance on the Levitt stage — showcasing the work of the campers alongside a professional musical artist as part of a Levitt Series concert event.
Meet the Instructors
Meet Janice
Singer / Songwriter Janice Gilbert grew up in rural South Dakota. Like most performers, she started singing at an early age, mostly in her church and community. Her music is described as a blend of down-home roots and contemporary country. Gilbert uses her experiences from growing up on the farm to fuel her songwriting as evidenced in songs like “Corn in the Silo”, “Bloom”, and “She Can Haul”. Her songs have placed in national songwriting competitions as well earning the title and a guitar for the Bluebird Cafe’s 30th Anniversary Songwriting Contest with “No One Has to Go” which was also featured on Season Five of the White Wall Sessions. After a 7-year stint in Nashville, TN honing her craft, Gilbert returned to roots in 2013 and continues to play her original music at various venues and events throughout the region. Janice is an experienced educator and award-winning 7-12 th grade music instructor. She is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and spearheads the local NSAI Sioux Falls Songwriters group.
Meet Emily
Emily Roehl (they/she) is an artist and scholar who makes work about energy, the environment, and social justice. Roehl joined the English & Journalism Department at Augustana University in 2022 and teaches courses on writing, environmental literature, and comic books. Roehl co-runs Minneapolis-based artist book publisher Mystery Spot Books, which has exhibited locally and internationally and is held in the collections of the New York Public Library, the St. Louis Public Library, the Midway Contemporary Art Library, the Floating Library, and the MCAD Library, among others.
Levitt Jam Camp run in partnership with Augustana University.
Thank you to our sponsor of this event:
Who should sign up for camp?
Levitt Songwriting Jam Camp is designed to empower high school girls and is led by inspiring female songwriters. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where young women can explore their creativity and grow as artists.
We welcome all youth who feel this space is right for them and are passionate about songwriting. If you’re excited to be part of this empowering community, we’d love to have you join us!
Is there transportation provided?
Transportation is not available. Parents or guardians are responsible for transportation to and from the Levitt Jam Camp activities.
When is the final performance?
Students from the Vocal Explorers Camp will take the stage as part of a Levitt series concert on Friday, June 26th, at 7:00 PM. They will perform select songs they’ve developed during camp as the Opening Act for that evening’s Levitt at the Falls summer concert.
The concert features open seating at the Levitt venue, and no tickets are required. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the show for free! The performance will also be live-streamed on the Levitt at the Falls Facebook and YouTube pages. Artist announcements and the full schedule for the Levitt concert season—featuring 50 FREE concerts—will be released in late April.
Are there scholarships available for tuition?
Yes! Thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors, camp tuition is set up as a pay-what-you-can system. The cost to run our camp is $125 per student. For families for whom this amount is a challenge, there is an option to contribute whatever tuition amount is doable, even if that amount is $0. Families who would like to support another camper are invited to make a tax-deductible donation to the Levitt.
What will a typical camp day look like?
8:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: Camp Check-In
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: Warm-Up/Get to Know You Game
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.: That Sounds Like a Song! Developing an Idea Workshop
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Creating a Hookbook
10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Snack Time and Brain Break
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Tech Exploration – Apps and How to Record
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Mentor Moment – Meet a Songwriter
Will lunch or snack be provided?
A snack will be provided as a part of this half-day camp. Please inform the staff of any allergies or food restrictions. No lunch or breakfast are included.
Where does the camp take place?
Levitt Summer Jam Camp is being hosted by Augustana University in the Fryxell Humanities Center. Students will check in and out at the Fryxell Humanities Center with Levitt staff each morning (M-F) of camp.
Augustana University
2001 S. Summit Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57197
Saturday evening camp performance will be held at Levitt at the Falls concert facility.
Levitt at the Falls
504 N. Phillips Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Other Questions?
Contact Rose Ann Hofland
Levitt at the Falls
rhofland@levittsiouxfalls.org
(605) 595-8547
