June 2025 Newsletter

This past month at ACT has been full and meaningful. From three of our students being accepted to the prestigious GRAMMY Camp, to the energy building around our upcoming Teen Arts, Culture & Careers Festival, and the momentum following The Big Show last month, our students continue to grow, connect, and create. Read on for more details, and hear directly from Makena, one of our ACT students who just completed GRAMMY Camp in Miami.

ACT is proud to share that three Young Creators Alliance students, Bella, Makena, and Elyana, were selected for the 21st GRAMMY Camp, one of the most competitive music programs in the country. Out of thousands of applicants, only 172 high school students were chosen.

Bella and Makena attended the inaugural Miami session from June 9–14, and Elyana will attend the New York City session this July. GRAMMY Camp offers hands-on training in songwriting, performance, music business, and more, with daily masterclasses and performances from GRAMMY-winning artists.

We’re thrilled to celebrate this incredible achievement. Read on to hear Makena’s reflections from the camp.

Hear From One of the Students: Makena

Makena sits down to reflect on her GRAMMY Camp experience in the songwriting track, from the fast-paced audition process to an unforgettable week at the Miami session. She shares what a typical day looks like and the invaluable lessons she has learned.

What was your experience auditioning for GRAMMY camp?

My audition was kind of rushed because I didn’t realize the deadline was as soon as it was. But once I read the requirements, I felt more confident. I’ve been songwriting my whole life, so when they asked for a few original songs, I thought, “Oh, I got this.” I submitted one of my favorite songs called “What Do I Like?”—I wrote it last year and I still really love it. It’s very jazzy.

The other parts of the audition included writing a paragraph and making a video explaining why I should be chosen. When I submitted everything and later found out I got in, I was so happy. I was really hoping I’d be accepted.

What’s the schedule been like?

The curriculum is pretty freeform, especially in the songwriting track. We do a lot of collaborations, often with people we wouldn’t normally work with, and across different genres. Our teacher, Drea, gives us songwriting exercises, like using a song title, an emotion, or a word, and we build something from that.

Later in the day, GRAMMY Award-winning artists come in, and at the end of each day, we do a showcase to share what we’ve worked on. The first hour of the day is kind of a warm-up to get us ready. Since it’s a 9-to-6 camp, it can get a little draining, but it goes by quickly.

You’re in the songwriting track—what do you think you’ve learned the most so far?

Definitely how to collaborate. You can’t write songs alone here; you have to work in groups. I’ve had to learn that the lines I come up with won’t always be the final product, and that’s okay. My ideas can grow into something better when others contribute.

I normally write solo, mostly jazzy indie stuff, so it’s been cool to branch into genres like Latin, Spanish pop, and even rap. I’ve been surprised at how flexible I can be. And not everyone collaborates the same way. Some people are more cooperative than others, so figuring out group dynamics has been really interesting.

Has ACT helped you prepare for this experience?

Definitely. At ACT, we perform in front of our peers a lot, which can be nerve-wracking—sometimes more than performing for strangers. But doing that every week really helped prepare me. Here, we have to share in front of peers daily, and it feels similar.

Also, one of the other students here is Bella. She's from ACT’s Tampa chapter. It was so nice seeing a familiar face!

What are your dreams for the future, and is GRAMMY Camp helping shape them?

If I pursue music professionally, I’d want to go to college for music business and maybe minor in songwriting. Two schools, Belmont and UMiami, actually came to talk to us about their programs, which was really helpful.

And yes, GRAMMY Camp is definitely shaping my vision. For example, we sat in on a music business session and learned about copyright, which I didn’t do for one of my releases—so now I know! They taught us about split sheets too, which handle royalty splits in collaborations. I’d never even heard of those before.

The collaboration and the networking have also been amazing. I’ve never gotten so many Instagram followers in one week. People are always connecting. The teachers talk about past students who still work together years later. It’s like its own creative network.

After I shared one of my songs, two guys who are producers told me, “If you’re ever in D.C. or Chicago, we’ll record it.” So now I’ve got connections all over. It’s really powerful.

Hear From Makena’s Parents

“I have to say, as a parent, at first I thought Arts Conservatory for Teens was too good to be true. But this after school program was such a blessing for our daughter. She loves music, performing, singing, songwriting and playing her guitar. The opportunity to collaborate in a fun, low pressure environment helps her to thrive. She has been able to find herself at ACT, a supportive place where she fits in. Her skills have improved, especially her singing voice. John Whittlesey the vocal coach is fantastic. Darnel and Ana are so encouraging and supportive. They BELIEVE in the kids! And that positive attitude pushes the kids to want to do better! We are lucky to be a part of ACT!!!”

-Wil and Penny Kovacs

Teen Arts Culture and Careers Festival

A Two-Day Festival for Teen Artists and Innovators

Join us at the University Student Center for the Teen Arts, Culture & Careers Festival—a two-day event designed for teens interested in exploring creative pathways and professional opportunities in the arts. Through hands-on workshops, panels, and networking sessions, participants will connect with working artists and industry professionals while gaining valuable insights into a range of creative careers.

Whether you're curious about visual arts, music, theater, media, or design, this is your chance to learn, grow, and get inspired. The event takes place on July 18 from 5–10 PM and July 19 from 9 AM–4 PM.

For more information, contact Darnel Butler at Darnel@ArtsConservatoryforTeens.org.

The Big Show: Celebrating Our Students’ Growth this year

In May, ACT hosted its annual Big Show and end-of-season celebration—an inspiring day of student performances and community connection. The event was a powerful reflection of our students’ growth, creativity, and dedication. From theater scenes to dance choreography, music, singing, and student-designed artwork, the showcase highlighted the diverse range of skills our young artists have developed throughout the year. Each piece brought something unique to the stage, demonstrating not just talent but also the collaboration and commitment behind the work.

We were thrilled by the incredible turnout—friends, families, and community members came out in full support, filling the venue with joy and celebration. It was clear how meaningful it was for our students to share their work with such an engaged and supportive audience.

Thank you to everyone who made the day so special.