2026 Sessions
Session 1:
June 24 – July 5
Grades 9 – 12 (Central Camp)
Grades 7 – 8 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 2:
July 8 – July 19
Grades 9 – 12 (Central Camp)
Grades 7 – 8 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 3:
July 22 – August 2
Grades 7 – 9 (Central Camp)
Grades 5 – 7 (Camp Bernstein)
Session 4:
August 5 – August 16
Grades 7 – 9 (Central Camp)
Grades 5 – 7 (Camp Bernstein)
Merit Scholarship Program
Blue Lake’s Merit Scholarship Program offers general scholarships for all arts disciplines to students who qualify by application and audition/portfolio review. There is no deadline for Merit Scholarship applications.
A Blue Lake scholarship award does not guarantee or reserve enrollment for a student. A camp application, which includes payment authorization for a $295 deposit, must be confirmed by Blue Lake’s Admissions Office in order to be fully enrolled. The application and deposit may be submitted prior to or after you receive notification of a scholarship. Blue Lake enrollment is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Prepare to Apply
This application should be completed by the student who is applying for a scholarship. You will need the following items in order to complete this application:
- Your email address and your parent’s email address
- Your home address, and the name of the county in which you live
- Your School District name and your School Building name
- Your school arts instructor name and email address; and private teacher if applicable
- If you are auditioning at your school for a Blue Lake Scholarship representative, you will be asked to enter the date of your audition. If you are not auditioning in-person for a Blue Lake Scholarship representative, you will also be asked to upload your video audition (for musicians, dancers, and actors) or portfolio presentation (for visual artists or creative writers).
Merit Audition/Portfolio Requirements
Instrumentalists: include a solo or etude (accompanied or unaccompanied), or an
excerpt from your orchestra, band, or jazz band music (your teacher can help you select
an appropriate section). Include two scales demonstrating the best of your range and
abilities.
Percussionists: your solo, etude, or excerpt should be performed on snare or a mallet
keyboard instrument. Scales should be demonstrated on a mallet instrument.
You may submit a district or state solo & ensemble rating sheet from a solo
performance in the current school year in lieu of a video audition. Your name,
instrument, rating, and judge’s signature must be visible on your PDF.
Note: Guitar and soprano sax are not eligible for Merit Scholarships.
Include a short series of vocal warm-ups demonstrating vocal range, and a prepared
solo (accompanied or unaccompanied). You may submit a district or state solo &
ensemble rating sheet from a solo performance in the current school year in lieu of a
video audition. Your name, rating, and judge’s signature must be visible on
your PDF.
Include a brief monologue 1-2 minutes in length, and a musical excerpt if auditioning for
Musical Theater.
Include a brief classical or contemporary combination 1-2 minutes in length, along with
demonstrations of 1st arabesque en l’air, la seconde position tendue a terre and en l’air,
and the following combinations: adage, pirouette, and petite allegro. Make sure the
dancer’s entire body (head to toe) stays in the video frame at all times. If you would like to attend a free master class which doubles as your scholarship audition, view our Dance Scholarship Audition locations for a class near you.
Include in your portfolio photos of 2-4 original works. Include a variety of media if
possible.
Include in your portfolio samples of 2-4 original compositions, demonstrating a variety of genres if possible. Recommended genres include poetry, short stories (fiction), personal essays (creative nonfiction), and short plays. Essays written for academic courses will not be considered for a Creative Writing scholarship.
Works generated through the use of ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence-based platforms will be disqualified from consideration. Creative work may be assessed for originality and checked for plagiarism. Creative Writing samples should only be submitted as .doc/.docx or .pdf files.
Prepare your file for upload
If you are not auditioning in-person for a Blue Lake Scholarship representative, prepare your file for upload:
- Accepted file formats: mp4, mov, avi, mkv, wmv, pdf, doc/docx, jpg, png, heic
- Maximum file size: 550MB
- Submit only necessary criteria: You may upload 1-5 files
- Name your files: ArtsDiscipline-Description ex: Violin-FullAudition, Flute-Scales, Art-PieceName
Instrumental, voice, theater, and dance auditions: At the beginning of each video, state your first and last name, along with your age and arts discipline. For example: “My name is Renee Fleming, I am 14 years old, and I am a vocalist.” Do not use any form of editing or acoustic altering effects in your audition. Make sure your submission contains all required criteria for your audition.
Creative writing and art portfolio reviews: Make sure your presentation is clearly labeled with your artistic focus area and descriptive name. Make sure your submission contains all required criteria for your portfolio review.
Begin Application
Coming soon for 2024!
