UNIVERSITY NEWS - JUNE 2003

MEDIA CONTACT: Stacia Smith
561-297-2971; ssmith@fau.edu

Pictures attached. Cutlines follow release.
FAU Proud to Announce 10th Anniversary of TOPS Summer Camp for Pianists

MUZAK Heart & Soul Foundation and FAU Join Forces Again to Provide
Musical Enrichment to South Florida Youth

BOCA RATON, FL (June 9, 2003) - Florida Atlantic University's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters is pleased to announce the 10th annual summer camp for pianists Teaching Outstanding PerformerS. The weeklong camp sessions are offered on the FAU Boca Raton campus for students grades 6-12 starting June 16, June 23, July 4; and for grades K-5 starting July 7, July 14, and July 21. The TOPS session offered on the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter will be July 28 for grades K-12.

The camp provides intensive week sessions of keyboard skill development, musicianship enhancement, and exposure to world class teaching and performing in order to cultivate an appreciation for classical music. Daily activities include private piano lessons, composition lessons, master classes, duet lessons, classes in music history and appreciation, performances, recreation, and above all fun! Each week culminates in a Friday evening performance of TOPS students in recital. The closing session of camp is topped off with the annual Piano Gala Concert extravaganza on Saturday, August 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theater on the Boca Raton campus.

The Muzak Heart and Soul Foundation again "tops" the list by sponsoring 22 Village Academy Students to attend. Heather Coltman, D.M.A., department of music chair, director of keyboard studies, and TOPS camp director states the motto of the camp, "Make friends, making music."

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road * Boca Raton, Florida * 33431-0991

Coltman and TOPS Assistant Director Joy Davis bring together a stellar faculty of internationally acclaimed performers and educators such as Russian pianist Irena Kofman, Edward Turgeon from South Florida's own popular "Duo Turgeon," visiting Swiss pianist Hanni Schmid Wyss, and a variety of dedicated local music educators.

The TOPS Summer Camp for pianists is sponsored by the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation, Bobb's Pianos & Organs, the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, and Open University & Continuing Education. For information and brochures call 561-297-3826, email coltman@fau.edu. Or visit the web site www.fau.edu/tops.
-FAU-