EMC Mission Statement & History
Initially founded by EIU Music Department Chair Dr. Leo J. Dvorak in 1947, EMC has served young musicians for more than 75 years!
Eastern Music Camp is a comprehensive, one-week camp that provides opportunities for students to build on their musical skills while enjoying interaction with peers and EIU faculty. Students may choose to participate in one of six music programs: band camp, choir camp, instrumental jazz camp, musical theatre camp, piano camp, or strings camp. Eastern Illinois University faculty members provide quality musical instruction as ensemble directors, lesson teachers, sectional and master class leaders, special topics class instructors, and private lesson teachers.
Evening activities include faculty and student performances, a pizza and pool party, karaoke, a student dance, and many other social events led by our highly experienced camp staff. Each area of EMC presents a final concert performance on the final day of camp. Parents, teachers, family, and friends are invited to attend.
Administration
Rebecca Johnson, Director (Email Link)
Flutist Rebecca Johnson is the Associate Professor of Flute at Eastern Illinois University, Principal Flute of the Heartland Festival Orchestra, and Second Flute of Sinfonia da Camera. Dr. Johnson enjoys performing and teaching at festivals, universities, and conferences throughout the world. She served the National Flute Association as the Program Chair for its 2019 convention and is currently serving as the association’s President. DMA, University of Illinois. www.rebeccajohnsonflute.com
Jennifer brown, Assistant Director
Dr. Jennifer Brown joined the faculty at Eastern Illinois University as the Assistant Professor of Trumpet in 2018 and enjoys an active career balancing her love of performing and teaching. She is the principal trumpet of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly throughout central Illinois.
Stacy Butler, Assistant Director
Stacy Butler is happy to serve as Assistant Director of Eastern Music Camp. She has worked in EIU’s music department since 2012, helping support students and faculty with departmental needs. A native of Cumberland County, Stacy is a proud graduate of EIU, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business with concentration in Accounting in 2011 and a Master of Business Administration in 2021. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and rooting for the Panthers!
Deans
Rose Cloud - Head Dean
Rose Cloud is a 6th-8th grade band director in Oak Forest, Illinois where she directs multiple concert bands, the beginning band program, jazz, and percussion ensemble. She graduated with honors from Eastern Illinois University in 2017 with a degree in Music Education and Spanish. Eastern Music Camp is where she first realized that she could pursue music as a career, and she returns every summer to keep this tradition going strong for the hundreds of young musicians who attend. She has served in multiple roles across the camp including logistics, counselor, Assistant Dean, and now Head Dean.