Amy Adams, Bakersfield's American Idol contestant from Season 3, is partnering with mentoring program Garden Pathways to offer "Singing Camp" for youth. Photo courtesy of Garden Pathways

Jillian Hill, 9, sings "At Last" during Singing Camp in August 2009 - a song she says she chose because she can "disappear into it." Photo by Jennifer Baldwin

By Karen Goh, Garden Pathways Executive Director

American Idol’s Amy Adams and Garden Pathways are partnering to host the second annual “Garden Pathways Singing Camp” for young people, ages 9 to 18. As part of an ongoing initiative to mentor youth through the arts, Adams and Garden Pathways are offering two camp sessions: July 12-16 and August 9-13; from 9 a.m. to noon at The Garden Community Center, 900 22nd Street.

Adams joins Garden Pathways to guide youth to expand their dreams and translate them into reality. Adams seeks to open doors of opportunity for youth as she combines her experience and extensive relationships in the music industry with inspiration, skill-building, and practical strategies. Youth will engage in a broad array of developmental activities that promote artistic and personal growth:

• Private and group vocal lessons with Amy Adams
• Staging with a professional choreographer
• Harmony techniques and music theory
• Professional recording techniques
• Mentoring on setting goals and achieving dreams
• Insights into the music industry
• Spotlight performance during showcases on July 16 and August 13 at 7:30 p.m.

All youth, ages 9 to 18, are invited to audition for the limited spaces. Admission is by audition only. Auditions with Adams will be held on Tuesday, July 6 at 7 p.m. at The Garden Community Center. Youth should be prepared to sing two songs a cappella. For information and to reserve a spot for the audition, call Garden Pathways’ E3 Performing Arts at 323-8311. Tuition is $175. Some scholarships are available with verification of need. Youth selected for the camp will be assigned by Adams/Garden Pathways to one of the two camp sessions.

“Garden Pathways Singing Camp” continues an emerging community-wide initiative to provide mentoring through the arts. The ongoing mentoring partnership infuses arts instruction with the fostering of life skills and the broadening of healthy perspectives of options and opportunities. More information is available at www.gardenpathways.org.

Related Story: Read last year’s coverage of Singing Camp by Bakersfield Express