Getting Wired with the Sunburst Robot Takeover Camp

April 18, 2018

So what is this Robot Takeover Camp anyway ?

We are going to work together as a group to build a robot that will actually play music! Then we are going to compose pieces of music and learn how to program the robot to play those compositions. The robot will take center stage during the end of the week performance!

How did you come up with the idea for it?

My educational background is in engineering and I've always had an interest in robots and programming. So I thought it would be fun to add a robotics element into one of our summer camps. I wanted to figure out a way to really combine music and robotics (instead of learning about each separately) and that's how the music-playing robot idea was born!

Who would this camp be fun for?

Everyone! I mean who doesn't want to build a robot? You don't have to have any experience in robotics, programming, or even music. However if you do happen to have some experience in one of those areas, this project can be made more challenging depending on your level.

What sorts of fun things can kids expect to do and learn?

We're going to learn about the basics of programming (through easy to use software), we're going to use our critical thinking (and teamwork) skills to design and build the robot together, and we're going to learn about music composition. We're also going to see how music can be composed and recorded using computers.

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Sunburst News - August 2025

August 1, 2025

August- Issue #96

5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.