Hannah Williams (center)
Photos courtesy of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly
By Kharisma McIlwaine
For two weeks this summer, a group of rising fifth through eighth graders traded their usual routines for something different — a chance to sing, dance, act, create digital art, and get an inside look at the performing arts.
Ensemble Arts Philly’s Middle School Summer Arts Sessions, which ran June 22 through July 3, is a completely free program designed to give young people hands-on experiences across music, theater, dance, and digital media. Each day, students met teaching artists and industry professionals who offered insight into the many paths a creative life can take.
Over the two weeks, these young artists built new skills, made new friends, and discovered new possibilities. The program led up to a final showcase on July 3 at the Kimmel Center’s SEI Innovation Studio, where family and friends got to see exactly what they’d been working on. Teaching artist Zaria White, and students Joshua Cayette and Hannah Williams spoke with the SUN about their experiences.
For White, returning as a teacher has been a full-circle journey, sparked by a chance encounter.
“I did Showstoppers their first year, which was my senior year (at CAPA) back in 2014,” White said. “It was really fun, and they allowed me to come back after I graduated. Because of them, my high school, and being in the arts since middle school, I was able to continue that love and turn it into a career.”
She credits a former teacher for opening the door.
Hannah Williams with teaching artist Zaria White, (2nd from right.)
Photos courtesy of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly
“I ran into Mr. Pendell, who teaches voice for the high school summer camp,” White said. “He asked if I was still teaching, and I told him, ‘Yes, I still teach at the dance studio with Jaquetta Colson, who also did the Showstoppers program when I was there for dance.’ He said, ‘They’re looking for another dance teacher — apply and let me know so I can call Mark and tell him everything about you.’ I was really appreciative. If I hadn’t left a good impression on him as a student, who knows if he would have vouched for me. This is kind of a full circle moment, because I’ve gone from being a student here to now being able to teach and help them realize everything you’re going to learn from this musical program — even if you don’t go into musical theater or the arts in general, it’s still going to help you.”
Cayette and Williams, program students, had their preexisting love for the arts solidified through Summer Sessions.
“I first fell in love with the arts when I saw my brother drawing,” Cayette said. “I tried it, then started doing animations on Flipaclip and went from there. This has been great. I’ve met a lot of nice people and had fun with dance, digital arts, theater, and music. It’s just fun overall.”
Williams’ passion for dance was first sparked through film.
“I fell in love with dance when I was 7 or 8 and watched a movie called “Leap.” It’s about a girl who’s an orphan,” Williams said. “She stays at the orphanage with her friend, and they run away to Paris to go to a dance school. She’s poor, so she has to steal someone’s identity so she can attend the school. This program is amazing because it made me realize that dance is something I want to continue and really do.”
The final showcase featured an hour-long performance created in just two days by student groups in each discipline.
“They really had a lot on their plate with the small amount of time that was given to them,” White said. “It was great to see how they came together. Even if they don’t choose dance in the end, it’s still nice to get them to just move. What I’ve witnessed with each group is that none of them really know how to bend their knees and bounce—they lose that childlike mobility. I also really enjoy helping shyer students reconnect with that part of themselves. The more fluid you are, the more comfortable you are in your body, and the easier it is to just go out and be.”
Joshua Cayette (center) with his Ensemble Arts Philly’s Middle School Summer Arts class.
Photos courtesy of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they apply to their final dance,” White added. “It’s going to be nice to see them allow themselves to be free in the space and just do. I hope that even when they’re nervous, they laugh at themselves and keep going. That’s the best thing you can do — smile, laugh, and keep pushing.”
Williams offered advice to future participants.
“Don’t let shyness or fear hold you back,” she said. “A lot of people are trying the arts for the first time here. So just go and do it together.”
Cayette echoed the same sentiment.
“Don’t get held back,” Cayette said. “Do what your gut tells you and just go for it. It can be bad or good, and you can make new friends along the way.”
Seeing the program firsthand, the students gave their performances everything they had. The theater group kicked off the hour with an original play, “The Fairytale Multiverse,” in which they teamed up to outsmart the Big Bad Wolf.
The music group, The Summer Beats, performed their original song “Summer” with instruments and vocals set to the familiar groove of Pharrell’s “Happy.”
The Digital Arts group shared comical sketches and hand-drawn animations. Finally, the dance group, “Cook Serving Heat,” brought high energy with movements set to Michael Jackson’s “Jam” and Ciara’s “Level Up,” plus a freestyle segment.
For Ensemble Arts Philly, Middle School Summer Arts is about more than a summer activity — it’s part of a larger commitment to making high-quality arts education accessible to every student, regardless of background. With more than 40,000 students reaching across 400 schools each year, that commitment continues to make a real difference.
For more information about Ensemble Arts Philly’s Middle School Summer Arts Sessions, visit: https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/education-and-community-engagement/summer-camps.
Hannah Williams (l) with teaching artist Zaria White, (3rd from left.)
Photos courtesy of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts
Joshua Cayette (center) with his MSSA class.
Photos courtesy of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly
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