At Summer TUTTI, our aim is to show you what a practicing artist’s life is really like. You’ll get to dive deep into your core program while also getting to work and learn across the disciplines. You’ll be mentored by professional musicians, dancers, and theatre-makers, experiencing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration first hand.

In addition, you will learn the importance of self-care as an artist through group activities that will help center you and help you perform to the best of your abilities for years to come.

We believe that all artists, and especially young artists, benefit from learning how other kinds of artists create and think, and that collaboration is an essential skill. We do not mean that as an instrumentalist, you will have to dance or act, or vice versa. However, there are similarities in the process of making art among all three performing arts disciplines. These overlaps are the areas for exploration and collaboration. We encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and open your mind to experiencing new and energizing things!

You may apply to more than one discipline (music, dance, theatre, or musical theatre), but you will only be accepted into one program. That said, everyone will participate in collaborative activities with students in the other disciplines.

The Italian word tutti means “all together”. In music, it refers to a passage or section played by all the voices or instruments. Denison University’s TUTTI Festival brings together composers, visual artists, dancers, theatre-makers, and creative people across genres for a week-long celebration of original works. Likewise, Denison’s Summer TUTTI performing arts camp brings together young artists for discipline-specific and interdisciplinary learning and mentorship.

“Tutti Tutti” also means “little bit” in Wolof. It’s a way to say take your time, slow down, don’t rush.  Teachers would use that phrase to say we learn best when we tutti tutti.  So this is a week where we are all in, we are all learning, and we are taking our time absorbing new techniques, new concepts, and new ideas.

You must be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior (age 15 to 18) by the time the program starts in June.

SummerTUTTI is open to strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, piano, vocalists, and composers.

There is a separate application form for the dance, music, musical theatre, and theatre tracks. While you may apply to more than one, you will only be accepted to one program. Please click on the “How to Apply” link above for detailed application guidelines for each discipline.

We will send out notifications by email and regular mail. You will hear from us by early April at the latest.

Denison is located 28 miles east of the John Glenn Columbus International Airport (about a half hour drive). We provide free transportation to and from campus for students arriving and/or departing by plane.

Yes, you may!