Performing Arts Camp Thanks Author James Patterson

The Choir in the Glades, hosted by the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, is producing a performing arts summer camp thanks to a gift from author and Palm Beach County resident James Patterson.

Patterson and the Patterson Family Foundation have awarded a $20,000 grant to provide the funding for the free camp serving the Glades region. Benefiting about 40 elementary and middle school-aged children, the camp will be two weeks filled with song, dance, dramatic arts, visual arts and literacy. The public is invited to attend a performing arts showcase on Thursday, July 21 at 3:30 p.m. at the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center in Belle Glade to see the culmination of the program.

Palm Beach County music educator Nicole Lee will be directing the choral and dramatic arts portion. Divinity Dance founder Sonja Kelly will be teaching movement and dance, while Young Singers’ graphic artist Pauline Zaros will be teaching visual arts, including prop and stage design. Also integrated into this year’s summer camp will be a literacy enhancement portion based around Patterson’s children’s novel Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.

The summer camp program is an enhancement to Young Singers of the Palm Beaches’ satellite program, Choir in the Glades. Only two seasons old, Choir in the Glades began with several dozen elementary school children and is now planning to expand into middle school ages this fall. For more info., call (561) 659-2332, e-mail information@yspb.org or visit www.yspb.org.