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. Welcome to Discover the World of Communication, where you will learn to build a digital portfolio, write a script, shoot and edit a film, write a news story like a pro, speak with confidence,… Read more
  2. Try out college life and take college-level courses in special programs for high school students. High school students with a B or better grade point average may enroll as non-degree students in… Read more
  3. The Experiences in Architecture program at The Catholic University of America is an intense three-week, pre-college workshop for students interested in architecture or other design-related fields.… Read more
  4. High school students in the Pre-College Program spend a summer in Washington, D.C., taking advantage of GW's expertise in global development, international relations, public policy and administration… Read more
  5. High school students in the Pre-College Program spend a summer in Washington, D.C., taking advantage of GW's expertise in global development, international relations, public policy and administration… Read more
  6. The Kennedy Center Ballet Class Series offers advanced high school students the unique opportunity to learn from nationally and internationally recognized ballet companies performing this season at… Read more
  7. This three-week summer residency offers intermediate to advanced-level ballet dancers, ages 14-18, an opportunity to study exclusively with one of the most important ballerinas of the 20th century,… Read more
  8. The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is sponsoring its Young Associates' Program for high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12 in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area who are interested in… Read more
  9. The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for students in grades 9-12. [Younger musicians (gr. 6-8) may be considered on a special case-by-case… Read more
  10. Every summer, approximately 60 students (ages 15-20) from all over the United States, as well as a number of other countries, meet in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center to attend the National… Read more
  11. Teen Council is a group of 12 creative and dedicated high school students who help make our museums more welcoming and engaging for young people. The Teen Council plans and hosts events that invite D… Read more
  12. Teen Museum Council is an intensive year-long program for D.C. Metro area teens who would like a role making teen programs at the Portrait Gallery! Throughout the academic year, TMC members work on… Read more
  13. With world-class scientists, professionals, and facilities, the Smithsonian serves as the top target for students and professionals seeking training and experience in a variety of disciplines from… Read more
  14. The Smithsonian Latino Center’s Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) is a national program for graduating high school seniors, fostering the next generation of Latino leaders in the arts, sciences, and… Read more
  15. Washington National Opera's Opera Institute at American University is a young and vibrant program located in the heart of the nation's capital. Amid the classic Americana and history of Washington,… Read more
  16. This program is open to high school students in the greater Washington, D.C. area who are interested in exploring the professional world of opera. Whether your interest is in performing onstage or in… Read more
  17. Writopia Lab is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in New York City in April of 2007. Writopia runs creative writing workshops for kids ages 6 to 18. All of the workshops have a maximum of… Read more