Summer Camp Week: The Patel Conservatory

Summer Camp Week: The Patel Conservatory

The Patel Conservatory offers several summer programs where they're nurturing the next generation of young entertainers. FOX 13's Mariah Harrison previews the several camps offered at the conservatory.

TAMPA, Fla. - A popular performing arts program in Tampa is opening registration for its summer camps, giving students a chance to explore life on stage.

"The Patel Conservatory is an after-school and sometimes during school-time performing arts academy," said Alice Santana, vice president of education and community engagement.

"We have classes for as young as our littles at five years old that are just wanting to dabble in the arts, to programs that are for students who are really looking to take this more seriously and potentially pursue this for a career," Santana said.

While many students sign up to sing, dance or act, organizers say some discover other passions behind the scenes.

"Sometimes they even find out that they don’t like to do any of those and they want to be the tech kid, and then they end up helping create the showcase at the end of the week," Santana said.

Each session typically ends with a performance or showcase, giving students a chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned.

Santana, who has been with the conservatory for about a decade, said watching students develop is one of the most rewarding parts of the program.

"This year, we have over 46 graduating seniors that we’re very proud of, that we get to hear where they’re heading on their next steps, and we get to be a part of that celebration," she said.

"It’s my favorite part of my job, being able to see these kids grow through our program," Santana added.

What the Patel Conservatory Offers

The Conservatory, housed at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, offers classes in music, theater and dance for a wide range of experience levels, designed for students trying the arts for the first time and those considering a future career in performance.

For Parents Considering Performing Arts Camps

Program leaders say some families may not even realize their child has an interest in the arts until they try it.

"You may think each and every day, ‘All right, well, my kid is a football kid or a baseball kid or soccer kid,’ but you may find out that they have a secret love for dance, and they wouldn’t know if they’ve never tried it," Santana said.

She recommends summer as the perfect time to explore.

"I always recommend a family who hasn’t really gotten to know the Patel Conservatory, that that’s the best time of year to really sample around and shop our different camps," she said.

By the numbers:

While the conservatory is a tuition-based program, leaders say accessibility is a priority.

"The Patel Conservatory gives away over $350,000 a year across all of our programs because we want to make sure that our programs are accessible to our community," Santana said.

What's next:

The registration link for the Patel Conservatory can be found here.