Opportunity Guide I Summer, Enrichment & Activities Guide

If your child loves singing, dancing, acting, playing an instrument, composing music or painting and designing, she will find a plethora of outstanding fun and instructional programs where she can develop her talents and meet people who love what she does. Check out extracurricular arts activities, including performance opportunities, at your child’s school or at local community centers. Specialized private weekend classes and summer programs for students of all levels are sponsored by various art institutes, music festivals, universities and professional music and dance companies.

To perform at the highest levels, many arts, especially music and dance, require private lessons and enrichment. If your child likes to perform, look for audition opportunities at local fairs, festivals, community orchestras and theaters. Many professional theaters and ballet companies sponsor summer intensive programs from talented youth. A child who enjoys competing may be interested in participating in arts contests where her work can earn recognition and win awards. The best students compete, at national arts contests that offer scholarship prizes.



  1. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-College Programs - Art
    Pre-College Art motivates, stimulates and prepares emerging artists and creative problem solvers. Modeled after the rigorous undergraduate School of Art program, students are taught by practicing… Read more
  2. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-college Programs - Music
    Pre-College Music gives high school students the opportunity to improve as a musician and learn about life in a conservatory-style college curriculum. Throughout Pre-College Music, students gain… Read more
  3. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-College Programs - Design
    Pre-College Design is a unique opportunity to begin a future student’s true college design experience. Classes are taught by undergraduate School of Design faculty and Pre-College Design students are… Read more
  4. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Pre-College Programs - Drama
    Pre-College Drama introduces high school students to rigorous, conservatory style challenges. The length and depth of the summer conservatory-style program can lead to a stronger resolve to pursue a… Read more
  5. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Summer Pre-College Programs - Advanced Placement/Early Admissions (AP/AE) Program
    The Advanced Placement/Early Admission (AP/EA) Program provides talented, motivated high school students with the unique opportunity to take summer courses offered by Carnegie Mellon. Students earn… Read more
  6. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Summer Pre-College Programs - Architecture
    Pre-College Architecture is an intensive and immersive summer program that engages high school students in the creative energy and speculative culture of the college-level experience, in studying the… Read more
  7. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
    Teen volunteer positions (for ages 16+) available at the Carnegie Museums: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Science Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center and Andy Warhol Museum. Link… Read more
  8. Drexel University Westphal College of Media Arts & Design Pre-College Programs
    Pre-college programs in architecture, dance, interior design, design and merchandising, graphic design, industrial design, film and tv, fashion design, music and photography.
  9. Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Summer Honors Program
    The Cook Honors College hosts IUP’s Summer Honors Program (SHP), where talented rising high school juniors and seniors get a first-hand look at life on campus. It’s a unique opportunity to explore… Read more
  10. Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School
    From pre-ballet to pre-professional, we guide dancers every step along the way. PBT School, the official training institution of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, is recognized as one of the nation’s finest… Read more
  11. Susquehanna University Summer Writers Workshop
    If you’re a talented writer entering 11th or 12th grade in fall 2018, join us for our Summer Writers Workshop. You’ll be immersed in intensive, small-group workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction,… Read more
  12. Temple University Summer Programs for High School Students
    Temple University provides several opportunities for high school students to live and learn on campus during the summer. A wide array of course offerings are available each summer. See website for… Read more
  13. Temple University Temple Summer Academy
    Temple Summer Academy invites students entering grades 11 or 12 to experience the academics, energy, and culture of Temple University through this rigorous four-week summer program. Temple Summer… Read more
  14. The University of the Arts Pre-College Summer Institute
    The Pre-College Summer Institute is a dynamic and challenging program for high school students, where you’ll gain substantial foundational skills and college-level training while working with UArts'… Read more
  15. University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Summer High School Programs
    Penn delivers the challenge of an Ivy League curriculum to academically talented high school students seeking a pre-collegiate experience. Explore Penn's historic campus, engage with leading faculty… Read more