Drum Fantasy Camp is Now on ZOOM! The 2020 Drum Fantasy Camp will not be taking place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But many of the world's greatest drummers are running 3-hour ZOOM master classes all throughout the summer! Most classes are just $149. Space is limited, usually to 12-15 participants. This ensures that each participant can ask questions and get feedback. So far, classes have been selling out quickly! Click here to scroll through classes! Brief History of Drum Fantasy Camp Drum Fantasy Camp was founded in 2007 by camp director Steven Orkin. Orkin manages marketing for artists Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Mike Stern, and more. Through the years, Orkin had read countless e-mails from fans asking for lessons and pointers from his clients. He posed this situation to his clients and the camp idea was born. The first Drum Fantasy Camp ran in South Orange, NJ, in 2007 and moved to Cleveland from 2008-2014. In February, 2013, an exciting and successful camp also ran in Ankara, Turkey. In 2019, Access Cuba with Dave Weckl offered a week-long music and cultural experience in Havana. What is Drum Fantasy Camp? Who Attends? Drum Fantasy Camp is a serious learning experience. Our instructors are some of the finest drummers on the planet. The camp is run by accomplished music industry professionals. You spend a total of five hours in a class of just 15 with each instructor, and you leave the camp inspired and filled with new ideas. The envirnoment is fun, friendly, supportive and non-competitive. Drummers of all ages, musical backgrounds, and playing levels attend. In 2019, male and female drummers from 15 countries and all over the United States attended. The age range was from 10 to 70! Some of our attendees are on a path to music school, while others have desk jobs and are gigging drummers in their home towns. And...some are simply looking for the inspiration to pick up the sticks after a long hiatus. All are welcome! We group our attendees based on their playing level. There is a great sense of camaraderie at Drum Fantasy Camp. Attendees tend to become good friends - sharing information, cheering each other on at the "Jam Nights," and staying in touch after the experience. The camp feels like a family, with several attendees returning year-after-year. What Happens at DFC? Opening Concert The camp opens with an amazing concert! All four drumming instructors perform with our world-class band: bassist Janek Gwizdala (Path Matheny/Mike Stern), keyboardist Stu Mindeman (Dave Weckl/Kurt Elling), vocalist Chrissi Poland (Moby/Michael Bolton), and guitarist Vinny Valentino (George Benson/Vital Information). Classes When you register for a full-camp package, you get one full day with each instructor over four days (five hours per day) and you can attend all three of our Jam Nights! You will get up to play on one of those nights and your family/travel partner is welcome to attend! We also have one and two-day packages. Two-day packages include playing at a Jam Night. Groove Class Option Full-camp attendees can substitute one instructor for a full day of playing/learning with guitarist Vinny Valentino and bassist Janek Gwizdala! This class is limited to 10, and you will spend the day learning to groove/swing with two world-class musicians. Optional "Studio Basics Course" Legendary recording/live sound engineer Dennis Moody joins drumming instructor Dave Weckl to teach a one-day Studio Basics Course. Limited to just 20 attendees, this hands-on course will get you familiar with miking drums, checking phase, getting sounds, and beginning the recording process. "Parent & Student Career Course" No Cost - DFC Full-Camp and Two-Day Attendees Only Open to full-camp and two-day attendees only (and their parents), Musicians Institute faculty/administrators will give you a tour of the school and talk about strategies for a career in music. Faculty and administrators will answer all of your questions. Basic Schedule   Day 1 The camp opens at 8:00 p.m. with an all-star concert. All four instructors will play separate sets with our world-class band! They'll play together at the end! Days 2, 3, and 4 Classes run from 9:30 a.m. to Noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are just 15 to a class and attendees spend the whole day in each class. Classes include a combination of lecturing and playing. In the evening, we will run our famous "Jam Nights," where campers get to sit in with the band! It's like a small private concert each night! The drumming instructors also hang out and perform. Day 5 Classes will run on the same schedule and the camp will end at 4:30 p.m. Closing reception at Guitar Center Hollywood at night. Day 6 Optional Studio Basics Course 2021 Pricing and Packages       Full Camp Packages       When you register for a full camp package, you spend a whole day with each drumming instructor, or you can choose three instructors and the Groove Class, where you and up to 10 others play and learn with Vinny Valentino and Janek Gwizdala. You also get admission to all three of our Jam Nights! Overnight accommodations are included in two of the packages. Hotel packages will be announced soon and can be added later. Please fill out the registration form to get started!     Full camp without overnight accommodations $1,699 Full camp with hotel room and roommate TBA Full camp with private hotel room TBA   Partial Camp Packages       There are two partial-camp packages: one full day with one instructor and two full days with two instructors (or the Groove Class with Vinny and Janek!). Neither package includes lodging, but you can add the hotel at our group rate by e-mailing us here. Please fill out the registration form once we're open to get started (and make sure to choose classes and days!)     One Full Day Class with One Instructor $425 Two full days - one instructor per day (includes one Jam Night where YOU play with our band!) $849   Concert Tickets!       Drum Fantasy Camp opens with an incredible concert! All four drumming instructors will perform with our world-class band: bassist Janek Gwizdala (Path Matheny/Mike Stern), keyboardist Stu Mindeman (Dave Weckl/Kurt Elling), vocalist Chrissi Poland (Moby/Michael Bolton), and guitarist Vinny Valentino (George Benson/Vital Information). Tickets are available to the public and must also be purchased separately by our attendees. Space is LIMITED!         Camp Schedule at a Glance       Day 1 Location: Musicians Institute       8:00 p.m. Opening concert     10:30 p.m. Opening concert ends             Days 2, 3, and 4 Location: Musician's Institute             9:30 a.m. Morning session with today's instructor     12:00 p.m. Lunch     1:30 p.m. Afternoon session with today's instructor     4:00 p.m. Practice rooms available / rest time     7:00 p.m. Jam Night!             Day 5 Location: Musician's Institute             9:30 a.m. Morning session with today's instructor     12:00 p.m. Lunch     1:30 p.m. Afternoon session with today's instructor     4:00 p.m. Practice rooms available / rest time     7:00 p.m. Closing reception at Guitar Center Hollywood             Day 6 - Optional Studio Basics Course Location: Musician's Institute             9:30 a.m. Morning session with Dennis Moody and Dave Weckl     12:00 p.m. Lunch with Dennis and Dave     1:30 p.m. Afternoon session with Dennis Moody and Dave Weckl     4:00 p.m. Class ends               Click here to register and pay once we are up and running!     More Information