OUR PROGRAMS
Spark Your Creativity, Find Your Voice!
The Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation is proud to offer a variety of innovative, inclusive programs. We believe there is a place for EVERYONE in the arts!
Take a look at our summer camps and intensives including Summer Stage and the MusicMan Academy, or look at our “365” year-round program offerings to keep those skills sharp throughout the year!
Please Note: beginning in January 2025, all camp/class registration will be handled through the iClass Pro system. Learn more about logging into your account (if you’re a returning family/student), or creating an account if you’re new to the UDAEF family.
Questions may be directed to enrollments@udfoundation.org and our team will be glad to assist you!
Summer Stage
Since 1976, Upper Darby Summer Stage has inspired young people to develop the magic of their talents, personality, and energy to create magical theatrical experiences for audiences of all ages.
Named one of the Top Five Performing Arts Summer Camps in America by Playbill, over 800 young people from across the Philadelphia region come together each summer to create eight professional-quality shows over six weeks that entertain nearly 27,000 audience members.
Celebrating its 50th Season in 2025, Summer Stage not only provides young people with a chance to sing, dance and act but collaborate, problem solve and create lifelong friendships that cultivate community and fill our world with love.
Be a part of our next chapter and join onstage, backstage or in the audience!
Summer Stage Shooting Stars
The Shooting Stars bring the magic of Summer Stage to the community all year long! This dynamic, auditioned performance outreach group features talented and energetic young performers who share the power of ensemble through captivating songs and dances.
With a diverse repertoire, they have delighted audiences at a wide range of events, including corporate gatherings, community celebrations, school functions, nursing homes, and major festivals. From the Rose Tree Summer Festival and Longwood Gardens to the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade and Disney World, the Shooting Stars continue to light up stages across the Delaware Valley and beyond.
Book the Shooting Stars for your next event and let their high-energy performance create an unforgettable experience!
MusicMan Academy
MusicMan Academy, supported by the Brad Schoener Memorial Fund, is dedicated to providing high-quality, enriching music education to children and adults in Upper Darby and beyond.
Our diverse programs include MusicMan Camp, JazzJam! Camp, Stellar Strings Camp, Butterfly Buddies, Delaware County Flute Choir, Sonic Sandbox, and - coming soon - AMP Camp for music production. These summer and year-round programs offer expert instruction on a wide variety of musical instruments, tailored to all skill levels and taught by experienced teaching artists.
Through music, we inspire students to grow into responsible, community-focused individuals, carrying forward Brad Schoener’s legacy of lifelong learning and engagement with the arts.
Register your child for MusicMan Academy camps or classes today!
MusicMan’s Butterfly Buddy
The Butterfly Buddy program empowers children with disabilities to celebrate, succeed, and grow through the creative arts. By pairing each camper with a specially trained high school or college “buddy,” we create a supportive environment where students can engage with music, movement, and art, and build meaningful connections.
Operated by the Brad Schoener Fund's MusicMan Academy under the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation and supported by the Department of Education, our program fosters confidence, reveals hidden talents, and enhances interpersonal skills. Through the transformative power of the arts, Butterfly Buddy enriches lives and strengthens community bonds, offering lifelong benefits to both campers and their families.
Register your child for Butterfly Buddy Club or summer camp!