Alfred University’s Summer at Alfred 2026 provides a wide variety of exciting activities, including arts-focused workshops and residencies, sports clinics, and engineering short courses. Among the offerings are programs related to the performing arts, leadership, and the popular tabletop game, “Dungeons and Dragons.”
In the Young Women’s Leadership Institute—taught by Abby Hurley, coordinator of the Beth Robinson Judson Leadership Center, and offered July 19-24—participants will learn about the intersections of gender, leadership, social change, and more. Topics will include, but are not limited to, feminism, the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, and leadership styles. This summer program provides an avenue for students to learn about themselves and begin developing as leaders.
“Leadership is such a vast subject matter and is so important for students to learn – whether they are in in high school and just starting to think about what’s next or if they are already in college,” Hurley said. “Leadership and our co-curricular experiences are what make us unique and help our students stand out to future employers. What you learn inside the classroom is just as important as what you learn outside of it. This is a great way to start exploring leadership and may help students engage in their communities or on their future campus.”
The Dungeons and Dragons pre-college program, offered July 12-17, is taught by Danielle Gagne, professor of psychology. The program is based on the popular cooperative tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons, which is recognized as beneficial for mental health, offering a safe, creative space to build social connections, develop coping skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and process complex emotions like grief through character role-playing and collaborative storytelling.
Participants will explore the world of Dungeons and Dragons through the lens of psychology, according to the program description. “Guided by experienced Dungeon Masters, they’ll practice teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity while battling dragons, solving mysteries, and forging legendary friendships. Whether new to the game or a seasoned adventurer, every student will leave with new stories to tell and memories to treasure.”
In the July 5-10 Music Production program—taught by Hannah Porter Denecke, visiting clinical professor of music, and Matias Homar, visiting assistant professor of music-sound studio—participants will explore the full process of making music—from songwriting and beat making to recording, mixing, and production. Guided by the instructors, participants will collaborate on original tracks, develop their creative voice, and build technical skills in a supportive, hands-on environment. The week will culminate in a live performance where students showcase their work.
“Being skilled in a variety of areas is an important aspect of working in the music industry,” Porter Denecke commented. “In this pre-college program, we are going to give students the tools to explore their interests in music from a variety of angles through specific instruction in songwriting, beat making, recording, mixing, and production.”
Porter Denecke is a musicologist, touring folk musician, church musician, and classically trained singer living in the Southern Tier of Western New York. Hannah received the Ph.D. in Musicology from Florida State University, the M.M. in Musicology at the University of Florida, and the B.M. in Applied Music (Composition & Theory) at Western Illinois University. Hannah's indie folk duo, The Deneckes, brings together history and storytelling in an intimate musical environment. Learn more about Porter Denecke at her website, and check out her indie folk duo at thedeneckes.com.
Homar, from Salta, Argentina, is a guitarist, composer, sound designer, and interactive instrument maker. With the Imaymana Duo, he has released two albums (2017-2021) and a solo album with his personal project of experimental music, Ge[r]minaciones (2022). His latest inventions include an interactive shoe (GEPedal) and a motion-sensing module (GEP Contraption - MIDI Innovation Award 2024 Winner) to read the movements of the body and modify the sounds. He is currently working on an interactive glove to be used in a piece for a dancer, which will be presented in Ireland as part of the Open Futures art residency in 2024.
Homar will also be instructor for the Maker Music Lab: DIY MIDI Controllers pre-college program, offered July 12-17.
This hands-on program guides participants through the process of building a custom MIDI controller. Ideal for beginners and those eager to deepen their understanding of digital music creation (music production, beat making, synthesizers, etc.), this course covers essential skills in electronics, programming, and music technology. By the end of the week, attendees will have created a fully functional MIDI controller, capable of interfacing with music software and instruments. No prior experience is required—just bring a personal computer.
Alfred Summer Arts 2026 features Summer Arts workshops in a variety of media designed for participants of all levels—including artists, educators, visiting professionals, and community members—as well as a number of pre-college art programs. Spend a day, a week, or an entire month immersed in hands-on experiences in our renowned studios and facilities working with our amazing faculty.
Specialized workshops—open to anyone over the age of 18—will be offered on the coast of Maine, providing a unique opportunity to explore the landscape-inspired art. A three-week artist residency will be offered in studio facilities at Alfred University’s M.F.A. painting program in Düsseldorf, Germany. This program is open to artists with BFA/MFA degrees; and professional, emerging, and mid-career artists. Emerging and mid-career artists working in the field of painting are welcome to apply.
A 25-percent discount is offered to local residents participating in Summer Arts 2026 workshops.
Pre-College Programs provide students the opportunity to engage in a host of immersive learning experiences. Alfred University offers more than 25 pre-college programs and sports clinics, a variety that ensures that there is something of interest for every high school student. These programs provide unique opportunities for students to explore their passions and gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities with our faculty and coaches.
Alfred University offers a $100 discount off tuition for Summer at Alfred pre-college programs for students whose primary residence is within a 50-mile radius of Alfred, NY. The discount also applies to children of Alfred University alumni and returning students from any Pre-College Program at Alfred University.
For more details and information on Pre-College Programs, please contact Isaac Matson, Pre-College Programs coordinator, at [email protected]. For information on Summer Arts workshops, please contact Faith Houy, administrative manager/coordinator of operations to the dean of School of Art & Design/Performing Arts Division, at [email protected].
