Summer Sonatina: new and returning staff application form

Thank you for your interest in joining our team at Summer Sonatina International Piano Camp.

For new applicants, this is an application, not an enrollment. Please keep in mind, there is no guarantee you will get a position.

For returning staff, this is an initial intention to join us. It is not binding until we "shake" on it with a contract.

Please note, all staff 18 and older will be subject to a criminal background check.

Before completing the application, please review these classifications for Summer Sonatina.

Junior Counselor Internship = 16+ and in high school

We take the following considerations into account: your level of maturity, leadership skills, musical experience and past history as a camper at Summer Sonatina.

Rather than enrolling in camp, you will join us as someone who is ready to take on added responsibility. You will be offered one private lesson per week. There will be no scheduled practice time available so this takes a particularly motivated person to keep up with practice habits. You will also be offered free room, board and all activities and events are included. General responsibilities would include: overseeing the recreation room, helping during activity time, overseeing the group of students who are not practicing (off-shifts), helping some of the younger students with practice time, helping with chores, etc.

You will be considered an employee and you will need to fill out W-4, I-9 and other tax forms. You will be asked to bring your passport or a copy of your driver's license and social security card.

Junior Faculty Internship = finished high school/in college

Room, board and all activities and events are included. You will be considered an employee and will be compensated based on experience, piano performance, or musical experience, leadership and organizational skills. You will need to fill out W-4, I-9 and other tax forms. You will be asked to bring your passport or a copy of your driver's license and social security card. You will receive some teacher-training, a weekly piano lesson and it's possible to have your teaching observed and evaluated (if desired).

Faculty = at least a Bachelor's degree

Room, board and all activities and events are included. You will be considered an employee and will be compensated based on teaching experience, piano performance or musical experience, leadership and organizational skills. You'll need to fill out W-4, I-9 and other tax forms. You will be asked to bring your passport or a copy of your drivers's license and social security card.

Regardless of what category you are applying for, you will need to supply the following information if you are applying for the FIRST TIME.

IF YOU ARE A RETURNING HIRE, you will not need to supply another cover letter, resume and letters of recommendation.

1. Cover Letter

Explain what ways you may be able to contribute to the programs and which specific weeks you are available to work.

2. Resume

3. Three Letters of Recommendation

4. An Application Form

5. If under 18

Parents submit the Summer Sonatina Health Insurance/Diet/Allergy Form and complete the Junior Counselor Consent (these are linked in this form).

6. Deadline: February 1st, 2026

Decisions will be made some time in March.

We look forward to receiving all your information. Unfortunately, because there are so many people interested in applying (we're delighted about this!), we will not be able to offer everyone a position. We hope that you will consider applying again in the future if things don't work out for this coming season. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact Micki at 802-442-9197 or at summer@sonatina.com

Now let's continue on with the form...

DATES AVAILABLE: The work week runs from Saturday through Sunday at noon, a day before the campers arrive and end a day later than campers so that your final night at camp is without duties. However, staying past the camper's departure time on Saturday is not required. Some FACULTY MEMBERS may only have part-time availability. Please send an additional email to Sonatina mentioning the best times you're available.*

Saturday June 27 to Sunday July 5Saturday July 4 to Sunday July 12Saturday July 11 to Sunday July 19Sorry I am not available this season.Maybe. I would love to return to work for Summer Sonatina in 2026, but I do not yet know my availability.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Email*

example@example.com

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Enter your age when at camp:*

Please select your current education level*

In High School = JC statusGraduated High School = JF statusGraduated College/University = Faculty status

Enter an emergency contact:*

Enter your interests*

If you picked other, please describe.

During "off shifts" all assigned junior staff and available faculty will be expected to offer activities to make sure all campers, especially shy ones, and teens, are engaged with something interesting and no one is left out.

Please describe in detail below any topics/passions/hobbies you may have that you could offer an activity for.

Examples for JC or JF: Specific arts or crafts, face painting, specific card/board/yard games, etc.

Examples for faculty: offering a workshop on musical career;
what to expect in competitions and auditions; discussion group to answer any
musical questions; interesting music books to read about composers, musicians
or pianists, etc.

Please write your ideas here*

(Type NA if applying for faculty position)

Please let us know if we need to order anything to support your off shift activities.

Enter your areas of certification. For example, First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard, etc. List expiration dates as well.

Staff Consent: You agree to not bring, use, or share any recreational drugs/illicit substances, tobacco products, vaping products, or alcohol while at camp (exception: if you are age 21+, you may drink alcohol off campus on your day off as long as you do not appear intoxicated upon return to camp.) Violations will result in immediate dismissal.*

Agree

For Parents of Junior Counselors and Junior Faculty under the age of 18

Junior Counselor/Junior Faculty under 18 Parental Consent:

Dear Parents of JCs and Staff members under the age of 18,

We are really looking forward to the possibility of having your child join us this summer. We appreciate all that the Junior Counselors do to make sure camp is tremendously successful.

Junior Counselors have one day off per week. Often, they like to walk downtown, about a mile away.

We have our own in-house rules, which are:

1. Go with a buddy

2. Sign out on the bulletin board

3. Tell us their approximate return time (this includes any jogging off-campus as well)

4. Counselors will not be allowed to be in moving vehicles unless the driver is over the age of 23.

It is important to us to have your consent (below) to allow your child to be off-campus. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best,

Polly van der Linde, Owner

By clicking 'Yes' below you hereby give permission for your child to go off campus with a buddy during their time at Summer Sonatina International Piano Camp (typically for jogging or walking downtown).

If you don't wish to give consent, your child will not be allowed to leave the premises.

Under age 18 Junior Counselor/Faculty Parental Consent. If unanswered, we will consider it a NO.

YESNO

(JC or JF only): If you are under the age of 18, your parents must complete and submit a Summer Sonatina Health Insurance/Allergy/Diet Information Form (linked below).

https://form.jotform.com/243243957551057

(JC or JF only): You will be required to go to a virtual meeting with Tony and Taylor sometime in the late spring to go over the expectations and brainstorm activity ideas with you.

Agree

Are you a returning hire to Summer Sonatina 2026?

If YES, you are done with this form. You may scroll down and click SUBMIT.
If NO, please answer the following questions.

YESNOThis would my first year on staff, but I submitted a full application for JC or JF last year. (You are considered a YES)

(JF and Faculty only) Our staff members are strong role models for those who attend camp. What will campers learn from you? How will campers remember you at the end of summer?

(JF and Faculty only) Think about the time you have worked with either adults or children in a group. Describe your role in the group and highlight one success of this group.

(JF and Faculty only) Camp offers a unique work environment. Describe how your life experience makes you or has prepared you to be, the ideal candidate for a position involving hard work, a sense of humor, a love of children, flexibility, and teamwork.

Why did you choose to apply for a position at camp? What is especially appealing about this opportunity?

Have you ever been discharged or asked to resign from a position? If yes, please explain the circumstances.

List three individuals not related to you, including past employers, who have definite knowledge of your character, experience and qualifications for this position and will provide references for you to Sonatina.

If you have copies of your references, you may upload them here. If not, you may ask those providing references to send them to: summer@sonatina.com

File Upload

Please upload your resumé and cover letter for us to review.

File Upload