Since 1963, Point CounterPoint has brought teenagers and children together on the shore of Lake Dunmore to learn music, study with world-class faculty, and have a great time together! We balance focused music education with summer fun, good food, and making friendships that last a lifetime.
Point CounterPoint offers five youth sessions between June and August, each with a different age range and different music director.
Session 1
June 28–july 11, 2026
Ages 11-17
Philip Boulanger, Director
What’s great about Session 1:
Session 1 is a great session for first-time PCP campers. Days are filled with practice sessions and a wide variety of musical “electives,” ranging from audition techniques, composer profiles, and chamber music sight-reading to fiddling and alternative styles. Students have multiple performance opportunities throughout the session, including a mid-session concert that is livestreamed to family and friends, and a final concert where they perform both of the pieces they studied. For the Fourth of July, we go out on Lake Dunmore in canoes and watch the fireworks all around us!
Examples of Session 1 repertoire:
Schubert: Piano Trio in B-Flat Major, D. 898
Boccherini: Piano Quintet in A Minor
Beethoven: String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18
Clara Schumann: Piano Trio in G Minor
Session 2
July 12–july 25, 2026
Ages 13-18
Ari Streisfeld, Director
What’s great about Session 2:
PCP Session 2 is a wonderful balance of a focused, intensive chamber music program and a traditional camp experience. In addition to studying two chamber works in two separate groups, daily coachings with world-class music faculty, uncoached rehearsals, lessons and weekly masterclasses, Session 2 campers also learn tuning techniques, music theory, and participate in composition workshops. The Session opens with a concert held on-campus lakeside, weather permitting. Our Session 2 community Faculty Concert features “new” music as well as classical repertoire at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater. Campers perform in a mid-session “works-in-progress” concert livestreamed to family and friends, and a final concert where they perform both of the pieces they studied.
Examples of Session 2 repertoire:
Dvorak: Piano Trio no. 2 in G Minor, Op. 26
Mozart: Piano Quartet no. 2 in Eb Major, K. 493
Fux: Sonata for Three Violins in F Major
Charlton Singleton: Testimony
Shostakovich: String Quartet no. 2 in A Major
Session 3
July 26–August 8, 2026
Ages 14-19
Paola Caballero, Director
What’s great about Session 3:
Campers at Session 3 are the oldest and most experienced campers and musicians. Students study two chamber works in two separate groups, have daily coachings with world-class music faculty, uncoached rehearsals, lessons and masterclasses each week. Session 3 is the only session at PCP to provide intensive summer workshop opportunities open to pre-formed ensembles. This is an extraordinary chance to focus on your group and make incredible progress this summer. Pre-formed ensembles will have the opportunity to:
We’re here to encourage your musical curiosity, and to nurture your exploration of chamber music alongside other likeminded peers.
Examples of Session 3 repertoire:
Brahms: Piano Trio in C major No. 3
Shostakovich: Piano Quintet, Op. 57
Piazzolla: ‘Otono Porteno’ from Quatro Estaciones
Grieg: String Quartet No. 1 Op. 27
Session 4
August 9–August 22, 2026
Ages 11-16
Beste Tiknaz, Director
What’s great about Session 4:
The campers at Session 4 are very special! Our Prelude campers often transition to Session 4 when they’re ready for a longer and more challenging experience. Students study two chamber works in two separate groups, and have daily coachings with music faculty from all over the world. Campers sing together in the camp choir to develop their aural skills, and have a great time playing everything from Baroque repertoire to blues improvisation workshops. Like other sessions, days at PCP are busy with coachings, rehearsals, and lessons, with a lot of attention from faculty. The public Faculty Concert held at the end of the first week inspires campers to work even harder on their chamber pieces. Campers perform in a mid-session concert that is livestreamed to family and friends, and a final concert where they perform both of their assigned pieces in their entirety.
Examples of Session 4 repertoire:
Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1
Mozart: Piano Quintet KV 452 in E-flat Major
Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 47
Corelli: Concerto Grosso in D major, Op.6 No.4
Prelude
August 23–August 29, 2026
Ages 8-13
Julia Cash, Director
What’s great about Prelude:
Prelude is a unique and wonderful experience for young musicians ages 8-13. One of the first chamber music programs in the country for this age range, it has been run continuously by founder/director Julia Cash and her trusted faculty for over 15 years to much acclaim! Prelude is intentionally scheduled for the end of summer, to help young children transition back to the structure of school. We create a special environment for first time campers, with a wide range of levels (approx. Suzuki books 3-10). Each camper’s experience is carefully tailored to suit their exact musical needs and abilities. Many campers return to us for many summers and enjoy our focus on great music mixed with fun in a traditional camp atmosphere.
Examples of Prelude repertoire:
Mendelssohn: String Quartet Op 12
Haydn: London Trios
Haydn: Op 76 Minuets
Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Schubert: String Quartet D32
Thank you so much for believing in him and for giving him so many opportunities at PCP. I really do think his first year at PCP completely changed his life and set him on a different track from the rest of his peers. So, thank you very much. You are truly transforming lives at PCP.”
—private violin teacher, 2015
It would be hard to overstate the importance and influence PCP has had in my son’s life. Each year he describes his time there as the “highlight” of his year. I don’t think he would be the same person without PCP. I want to thank you for your wonderful, nurturing role in his life every summer. Thank you for everything you have done for us.
—parent, 2018
My daughter had a fantastic summer at PCP! I sincerely appreciate your commitment to our youth, music-making and their holistic development through chamber music on Lake Dunmore and activities in the surrounding Vermont communities / environment. What a gift of lifetime memories! Thank you! ”
—parent, 2015
Our daughter is just bouncing off the walls with excitement about the friends she reconnected with, and the new ones made this year. She was challenged, pushed, and encouraged, and as a result she got a spark and learned. It was the perfect storm for her. Thank you and thank you to all her wonderful teachers and coaches!
—parent, 2015
