Encore School of the Arts will run week-long day camps for boys and girls ages 5-12 on June 13-17, 20-24, 27-July 1, July 11-15, 18-22, 25-29, Aug 1-5 and 8-12 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

A different male and female super hero will be featured each week.

Superheroes in training will make their own capes and masks and will create their own story in comic book form.

They will make hero medallions from found objects and boost their powers by creating their own superhero potions and cookies.

They will compete in relay races, run obstacle courses and participate in jumping contests.

Weather permitting, some activities will take place in the secure fenced back yard.

Your camper will come home with souvenirs from the superhero photo shoot and other goodies.

Campers attending the first session in June will make art entries for the Arts Invitational at SMC on Saturday, June 18.

Call (269) 783-0881 for more information. Registration starts Monday, April 18.

Tuition will be announced soon.

Encore School of the Arts will offer individual weekly lessons in guitar, piano and voice for $80 per month (guitar, Monday or Tuesday; piano or vocals, Tuesday or Thursday).

On Monday evenings, a guitar class is offered for a maximum three students.

Fee: $10 per week for 45 minutes of instruction.

Individual drum/percussion classes will be offered on Wednesday nights.

Fee: $80 per month with one class per week.

Melissa Whitaker-Auvil instructs voice, choir and piano.

Whitaker-Auvil is an educator, director and performer with a master’s degree in voice performance from the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory and bachelor’s degree in music education from Central Michigan University.

As a performer, she has worked with companies such as the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Metro Opera, CrossCurrents Theatre, St. Peter’s Players and Midland Music Society.

Whitaker-Auvil is currently a member of the South Bend Chamber Singers and operates a private voice studio in Niles and Dowagiac.

Guitar classes are taught by professional musician John Wallace, who has played guitar for more than 30 years — from garage bands as a teenager to touring bands of every style, including R&B and country.

Currently playing jazz and blues venues with the Billy Nicks Trio and  Crystal Blue Jazz, and appearing as a soloist and in a duo with Josef Szaday on bass, John also appears with his own quartet JWQ, featuring more R&B and blues.

Most recently, the Billy Nicks Trio has become a quartet with the addition of Jackie Ivory on Hammond organ.

Wallace has been called on for recording sessions for artists as well as local ads.

He has been living and gigging in South Bend, Ind., Chicago, and southwestern Michigan for the last 15 years.

Brian McNeary teaches drums and percussion.