Mississippi College Summer Music Camp Returns Soon

Elizabeth Easley, 14, of Crystal Springs will attend her third MC Music Camp this summer. Piano teacher Amber Berry is pictured with the 9th grader from Copiah Academy.

Elizabeth Easley plays the flute, piccolo and the piano. The talented Copiah Academy teen is eager to rejoin Mississippi College’s Summer Music Camp.

It’s the place where Elizabeth polishes her musical skills, makes new friends and has fun.

For the third time, the Crystal Springs resident will attend MC’s 2019 music camp from June 23-28. Between 45 and 50 other campers will enroll for the residential program on the Clinton campus. The registration deadline is June 15.

Students take music classes and private lessons from award-winning MC Music Department instructors. They showcase their amazing abilities during performances on stage, dine in the school cafeteria and have a blast. The MC camps began in 2006 with 36 kids signed up. It just gets better every year.

“Elizabeth has the best time at music camp,” says her mom, Tricia Nelson Easley, director of MC’s paralegal studies program. “She’s made so many friends.”

Each year, Elizabeth leaves the five-day music camp “totally inspired,” Easley said. “She practices more.”

Completing her freshman year at Copiah Academy, Elizabeth has achieved progress with her instruments. She’s also received valuable lessons from instructors at MC’s Taylor School of Music.

People in her hometown in Copiah County see positive results. Elizabeth Easley plays the piano during youth services at Crystal Springs United Methodist Church. She participates in the McDowell Music Club in Crystal Springs. An active school cheerleader since the 4^th grade, Elizabeth plans to become a Mississippi College freshman in a few years.

Music is embedded in the family DNA. Tricia Easley’s grandfather and his brother played in a Meridian-based band in the 1920s and 1930s.

MC Music Camp Director Bob Knupp is always delighted to welcome dozens of campers.

One of them will be his daughter, Kathryn Knupp, who will enroll in late June to sample classes in the Aven Fine Arts Building. “Kathryn likes the interaction with other campers,” her dad says.

Whether singing in the choir, taking part in the talent show or dabbling in art, Kathryn cherishes every minute. “She’s an art person. She comes to camp because she loves the experience,” Knupp said.

Bob Knupp brings much to the table. He serves as an organist at Galloway United Methodist Church in Jackson. He performed on the organ during the MC Law Spring commencement at First Baptist Church Jackson in May.

This summer, MC teachers will bring back music technology and add a series of classes on 1980s pop music. New instructors like Isaac Woodward will teach worship music.  Another staff newcomer, Rachel Storey will offer lessons on accompanying. Just about the entire music faculty gets in the act – from Mark Nabholz, director of the MC Singers, to Angela Willoughby, who chairs the department.

The camp’s cost is $500. “We look forward to the camp every year,” Bob Knupp said. “We enjoy the students and their enthusiasm for music.”