Summer Camp 2025
Mr. D's Approach to camp
Summer camp at Mr. D's Music Club is all about music, art, dance, creativity, fun, and friends. Not to mention singing, dancing, acting, laughing, trying new things, performing, confidence-building, and all-around silliness. We pride ourselves in offering 8 - 13-year-old* children a stellar camp experience in the performing arts where every child shines.
Our philosophy embraces pop music across the
decades because:
Children can relate to great songs on an emotional level.
We celebrate music, singing, dancing, and acting as
authentic forms of expression.
We gently introduce music from different genres
(classical, electronic, jazz, world music, etc.) with the
hope that this becomes a starting point for your child
to explore the vast musical universe.
Each camp has its own unique, fun, and (sometimes) quirky
theme. We intentionally set the themes to reflect the week's tone,
but from there, anything goes. The songs vary from the cool and
unusual to the latest and greatest, and they ALWAYS have soul!
Art, singing, dancing, and acting happen each day, and no two days are alike:
Music: We don't always know which songs the kids will enjoy singing, so we typically start with more than we need and work our way through to the final cut. It's fun to explore the songs with the kids, break them down, practice, and feel the emotions the songs evoke as we progress through the week.
Dance: Professional choreographers design and teach interactive dance routines to the kids centered around the week's theme. Dance styles include hip-hop, modern, jazz, salsa, etc.
Art: The kids work on several art projects related to the camp's theme throughout the week. The completed artwork will be displayed in the camp space for the Friday performance for attendees to view as they come to the big show!
Acting: Kids will play fun theater games, learn improv, act out scenes and get creative with
movement and storytelling. They will work in small groups to rehearse a skit for the Friday
performance. This year we will also have more opportunities for a few campers to work behind
the stage and learn how a production comes together as a team.
Performance: Friday is our performance day!! The performance highlights all the talent the kids
have and the amazing amount of energy and work they put into creating something fun, silly
and endearing for friends and family.
Friday Pizza Party: The best part of camp for parents? That's right, a pizza
party on Fridays! No need to pack lunch, just some snacks. Kids will have
cheese pizza, lemonade, and a popsicle.
The kids are SUPER busy and will be tired but very happy at the end of
their camp day. They are building something - together - for you. We hope
you will join us and see what all the fuss is about.
2025 Oakland Camp Location:
Upper Rockridge
4660 Harbord Drive
Oakland, CA 94618
Our 9-year-old daughter went to Mr. D's Music Club summer camp for the first time this summer and both she and us parents absolutely loved it.
Mr. D and his team are simply wonderful and attentive, have a strong highlight on an overall positive and supportive atmosphere and the art, music, acting and dancing activities were very thoughtfully picked with the core of fun (rather than perfection) in mind. We will totally do more of Mr. D's next summer!
Patricia S., Oakland, CA - 2023
Camp includes:
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Four hours of the arts every day (singing, acting, dancing and art)
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Outdoor lunches and snack breaks
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All materials, including original plays and choreography, art supplies, lyric folders, etc.
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A pizza lunch and lemonade on Friday and an end-of-performance popsicle!
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Flexible drop-off from 8:45 - 9:00 am and flexible pick-up from 3:30 - 3:45 pm
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Amazing Teaching Artists who are passionate about their art forms, teaching kids, and inspiring their creativity
*We are happy to talk with families whose children are outside the age range. Please reach out if you'd like to chat.
Read more about our COVID-safe in-person camps.
Register
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2025 Summer Camp Themes*
Off to the Movies! (June 2 - 6)
We love the annual tradition of kicking off our summer camp season with "Off to the Movies!". There's nothing better than watching a great movie with a fantastic soundtrack. And that same experience applies to Mr. D's Music Club! How much better does it get than seeing your kids sing, dance, act, and create art inspired by the movies? We may not have THE red carpet, but our version is pretty great!
We Are Gonna Be Friends (June 9 - 13)
At Mr. D's Music Club, friendships form fast—and we're celebrating that magic! This week, it’s all about the connections kids make while singing, dancing, and creating together. There’s something special about teaming up for a performance, sharing laughs, and making memories that last long after camp ends. Whether they’re meeting new faces or reconnecting with old friends, campers will leave each day with plenty of stories, smiles, and a few new BFFs. Join us for a week dedicated to the joy of friendship and creative fun!
pop PUNK pop (June 16 - 20)
Get ready to rock out! This week is all about the high energy of pop-punk, with a blend of catchy pop anthems and a hint of classic punk attitude. Campers will dive into iconic riffs and sing-along choruses and learn moves that channel the punk spirit. As we create music, art, and performances with a pop-punk twist, kids can let loose, express themselves, and feel the thrill of going a little wild (in the best way!). It’s a week of rebellious fun and unforgettable tunes, so get ready to turn up the volume!
The Night Sky (June 23 - 27)
We’ve all had those moments of awe under the night sky—whether it’s the full moon's glow, the brilliance of shooting stars, or the drama of a late-night thunderstorm. This week, we bring that wonder and beauty to Mr. D’s Music Club. Campers will channel the magic of the night sky into a performance filled with graceful dancing, heartfelt singing, laugh-out-loud plays, and stunning artwork you’ll be proud to take home (we promise!). It’s a week to dream big and shine bright!
Trains, Boats & Planes (July 14 - 18)
It’s a week of adventure as we explore the performing arts through the lens of travel. Whether you’re chugging along the rail line, feeling the ocean breeze, or soaring through the sky, there’s a pop song to match the journey! This week, we’ll dive into themes of adventure and broadening horizons while building confidence and breaking through performance fears. Together, campers will create something truly special with their friends. All aboard—it’s going to be a fun and busy week!
Shapes & Lines (July 21 - 25)
Creativity takes shape this week—literally! In Shapes & Lines, campers will explore how simple elements like patterns, angles, and curves spark ideas in art, movement, music, and more. From bold designs to fluid choreography and inventive creations, kids will bring their ideas to life in exciting and unexpected ways. It’s a week of discovering connections, igniting imagination, and creating something truly original!
Decades: The Naughties (July 28 - August 1)
Throw it back to the 2000s! This week, we’re diving into the decade that brought us pop anthems, epic boy bands, and unforgettable chart-toppers. We'll celebrate the sounds and styles that defined the era, including the attitudes and cheeky fun the decade is known for. Through the final week of creativity this summer, kids will channel the spirit of the "Naughties" (pun intended) and end the summer with a whole new appreciation for a bygone decade and repertoire of music at their fingertips with our weekly playlist. It's going to be a week of throwbacks, trends, and plenty of fun—don’t miss it!
*All themes subject to change as needed
Mr. D's Music Club was introduced to us by my daughter's friend across the street. From the minute she saw their end-of-semester performance in their after-school program, she lit up with a big smile on her face! I signed her up for a week of camp in the summer, and it was such a hit that she asked for a second one. By the end of that week, she said, "Mama, next summer can I do all seven weeks of summer camp?"
Before we signed up, I already knew my daughter loved art, music, and dance. She was thrilled to find out she also loves acting! All four of these were things she got to be immersed in for a week with new kids she'd never met and become friends with. She loved the camp counselors, and Hailey and Mr. D were also so friendly at pick up/drop off. I highly recommend this camp to anyone looking for a great way for their child to explore the arts and have so much fun doing it.
~ Alexis M., Oakland, CA - August 2023