UAF Summer Music Academy

 

SMA Black Friday registration special

From 11/29-12/15, you can register early and receive a 20% discount on full and half day registrations. Coupon code and information will be shared on the UAF Summer Music Academy Facebook page on Black Friday!

 
 

 

Save the date: June 2-13, 2025

For the most up-to-date info, follow us on and

 

 

UAF SMA 2025 Concert Schedule

Daily Concert Hour
Monday-Friday
Concert Hour | 12:30pm | Davis Concert Hall

Thursday, June 12
Music in the Garden | 5:30pm | UAF Botanical Gardens
Featuring SMA Jazz & Rock Bands

Friday, June 13

Awards Ceremony | 12:30pm | Davis Concert Hall
Chamber Music | 2pm | Great Hall
Choirs | 3pm | Davis Concert Hall
Chamber Music | 4pm | Great Hall
Band/Orchestra/Symphony | 4:30pm | Davis Concert Hall
Family Picnic | 5:30pm | Back Lawn

 

SMA is an intensive two week program of music education for middle & high school students on the beautiful ºÚÁÏÉçapp campus.

The UAF Summer Music Academy seeks to provide a quality music educational experience for students who have completed grades 5 –12. It seeks to recruit and retain music students for the UAF Department of Music through educational experiences with UAF Music Faculty, Alumni and Guest Artists. All students of the appropriate age and musical experience are welcomed at the UAF Summer Music Academy regardless of race, religion, gender, or culture. We recognize that each student has a unique style and pace of learning, and we seek to provide opportunities for students to learn in their own style and at their own pace while fitting into the larger musical community.

 

Full Day Registration

 $675 + $75 Non-refundable registration fee = $750 Total

Half Day Registration

 $350+ $75 Non-refundable registration fee = $425 Total

 

The UAF Summer Music Academy Jazz Band performs at the Davis Concert Hall, Friday, June 15, 2012. | UAF Photo by JR Ancheta

Watch for Mentorship and Scholarship Applications.

Needs-based scholarships go to students who would not otherwise be able to attend SMA. Amounts range from partial to full scholarships, depending on an individual's specific needs.

Mentorships are available to students who have completed 11th or 12th grade. This is a full scholarship to attend SMA and act as a mentor to younger students. Mentors are called on to perform and work with younger students when needed.

 

 

 

Questions?

 

 

Faculty & Staff

The Academy faculty is drawn both from UAF Department of Music and local music teachers. Fairbanks is fortunate to have outstanding musicians. many of them UAF Alumni, who can offer an intensive, high-level musical and educational experience.

 

 

 

UAF Alumni
Viola & Symphony

 

 

Nathan Arnold

UAF Faculty
Guitar & Rock Band

 

 

Michael Austin

UAF Alumni 
Violin & Orchestra

 

 

Melanie Bieniek

UAF Faculty & Alumni
Low Brass & Intro to Band

 

Ryan Bowers


Pop & Folk Music

 

UAF Faculty
Artistic Director & Voice

 

Jenna Dreydoppel

UAF Alumni
Crew Lead

 

UAF Alumni
Flute

 

Caleb Herron

UAF Alumni
Percussion

 

UAF Benefactor
Enrichment

 

Tristan Hovest

UAF Faculty & Alumni
Trumpet, Jazz Band & Rock Band

 

 

UAF Faculty & Alumni
Voice

 

 


Bass

 

 

Suzanne McBride-Ruedy

UAF Alumni
Piano

 

Dr. Sarah McConnell

UAF Faculty
Administration & Planning Committee

 

UAF Faculty & Alumni
Enrichment & Woodwinds

 

Connie Oba

UAF Alumni
Choral Accompanist

 

 

UAF Faculty & Alumni
Percussion

 

 

James Spontak

UAF Faculty & Alumni
Piano

 

UAF Faculty
Cello & Planning Committee

 

 

UAF Alumni
Piano

 

Liesl Wietgrefe

 
Woodwinds

 

 

 

 

Educational Goals

 

  • To develop to the fullest, the artistic potential of each student through a broad musical educational experience.

 

  • To encourage community involvement and public service through performances and activities in Fairbanks community settings.

 

  • To promote excellence in music education with an “emphasis on Alaska, the North, and their diverse peoples" in accordance with the ºÚÁÏÉçapp mission statement. 
UAF Summer Music Academy students perform at Charles W. Davis Concert Hall on Friday, June 16, 2023. | UAF Photo by Marina Santos
UAF's Summer Music Academy students watch peers perform on stage at the Davis Concert Hall during their daily concert hour performances. | UAF Photo by JR Ancheta

Support

The UAF Summer Music Academy is made possible with generous contributions. You can contribute to this amazing program (note the level of sponsorship in the comments) or by mailing a donation to UA Foundation, P.O. Box 755080, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5080. Checks should be made out to the UA Foundation with "UAF Summer Music Academy <level of Sponsorship>" in the memo line. 

 

Become a Sponsor:

  Title Sponsors ($5,000 or more)
  • Logo printed on Academy t-shirts
  • Logo/Name listed as Event Sponsor for one of the final event
  • Logo/Name listed as Title Sponsor on concert programs, website, & social media
  Faculty Patron ($3,000-$4,999)
  • Logo printed on Academy t-shirts
  • Logo/Name listed as sponsor for selected faculty concert programs, website, and social media
 
  Advocate ($1,000-$2,999)
  • Logo printed on Academy t-shirts
  • Logo/Name included on all online platforms & in Final Concert Program
  Supporter ($500-$999)
  • Logo included in all online platforms & in Final Concert Program

 
  Friend ($50-$499)
  • Name/Business listed on website & in Final Concert Program

 

 

 

 

Summer Music Academy Logo

 

 

Get ready for an epic summer in 2024! We've got a whopping 58 camps lined up (some even have multiple sections), making it a grand total of 80 fun-filled adventures for kids in or visiting the Fairbanks North Star Borough. From sports, art, science, music, and dance to awesome life skills, there's something for everyone!