M2 Summer: Sleep-Away

a premier, nature-based musical summer experience

Midland School, Los Olivos California

About M2 Sleep-Away

The rolling landscape of California’s Central Coast is known throughout the world for premier wine. Now, thanks to Muffin Music, the Santa Ynez Valley is becoming known for musical excellence.

Led by Juilliard School graduate and internationally acclaimed concert pianist Sylvia Jiang, along with Los Angeles–based composer and educator Davis Reinhart, the nature-based M2 Summer: Sleep-Away Camp offers an unparalleled residential experience for a carefully selected cohort of students ages 6–18 from across the United States and around the world. Our students demonstrate strength of character and a collaborative spirit, paired with a strong interest in music-making.

This fully immersive program culminates in a final M2 Showcase featuring all students at Allan Hancock College’s Performing Arts Center on Saturday, July 25, in Santa Maria, California. Here, students demonstrate the results of skills gained from a rare blend of artistic inspiration, California’s natural beauty, and the confidence that comes from being both deeply supported and gently challenged.

A Boutique Residential Experience

Our two-week boarding program intentionally limits enrollment to ensure every student receives highly individualized attention from world-renowned educators. Each boarder is welcomed not just as a camper, but as a student to be nourished through a beautiful, highly experiential environment, locally sourced food, world-class instruction, and free time for unforgettable summertime fun.

Individualized Planning & Personal Mentorship

Before arrival, families will meet with both our artistic director and program leaders to outline personal goals, preferences, and expectations for their child. Upon arrival, each boarder will be presented with a customized residential and enrichment plan, ensuring that their time at M2 reflects their ambitions and interests. Parents are welcome to plan visits to campus at anytime, and Boarders may opt to spend nights away from campus with prior planning with Program Directors.

Whether a student seeks artistic rigor, confidence-building independence, leadership development, or a balance of all three, each experience is tailored accordingly. Our low student-to-staff ratio allows us to adjust schedules, recommend private study, coordinate excursions, and provide mentorship that extends beyond the classroom.

Space is Extremely Limited!

When it comes to music, playing has never been more fun.

Apply

2026 M2 Sleep-Away Camp

Dates:

Arrival: Sunday, July 11th

Departure: Sunday, July 26th

M2 Showcase:

Saturday, July 25th at Allan Hancock College

Ages

6 - 18

Camp Location: Midland School

5100 Figueroa Mountain Rd, Los Olivos, CA 93441

Program Fees

Camp Tuition: $600

Boarding: $2,500

Optional Private Lessons: $100/hr, $55/ half hr, $77/45 minutes

Early Bird Application Deadline

March 1st, 2026

Boarding Application Deadline

EXTENDED to May 1st, 2026

Space is extremely limited!

apply now

elevated dining and hospitality

Each student will reside in one of Midland’s charming and carefully appointed double cabins monitored by full-time Residential Coordinators who live on campus and provide 24/7 guidance and supervision. Access to private practice spaces, pianos, and expansive campus

facilities ensures that each day flows seamlessly between focused growth and restorative downtime.

Three meals a day are prepared and served in Midland’s on-campus dining hall, highlighting seasonal, locally sourced ingredients—many grown directly on the property. Dietary preferences and nutritional requirements are accommodated with care.

For international and out-of-state families, we provide comprehensive travel coordination. Students may fly into Santa Barbara or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with supervised transfers arranged upon request. From airport greeting to cabin arrival, every detail is handled seamlessly.

Families traveling to attend the final Showcase weekend are offered assistance with local accommodations, transportation, and itinerary planning, ensuring their visit to California’s Central Coast is as memorable as their child’s experience.

Enrichment Beyond Campus

Weekends offer curated opportunities: private instrumental study, faculty recitals, leadership seminars, and supervised excursions exploring the beauty of the Santa Ynez Valley. These experiences may include a zip line adventure, beach day, and even a visit to a local equestrian horse ranch.

Elevated & Transformative

Structured daily rhythms provide security, while thoughtfully earned privileges foster maturity and self-reliance.

Parents are welcome to schedule campus visits, private dinners, or special occasions with their children. Communication equipment is available to ensure regular and reassuring contact with home.

what's included in the residential experience

● Personalized Private Instruction
One-on-one lessons tailored to each student’s level, instrument, and goals.

● Curated Weekend Excursions
Supervised outings with partnering organizations including Highline Adventures, the Lompoc Aquatic Center, and more.

● Evening Activities
Games, movie nights, and more curated by our onsite residence coordinators.

● Priority Access to Practice Studios
Dedicated rehearsal spaces with grand pianos.

● Comprehensive Musicianship & Theory Seminars
Coursework designed to strengthen musical literacy and advanced understanding catered to each age group.

● Faculty-Led Masterclasses & Artist Workshops
Small-group intensives offering mentorship, performance refinement, and exposure to diverse artistic styles.

● Chamber Ensembles & Collaborative Rehearsals
Daily group rehearsals that foster leadership and listening skills.

● Movement & Performance Presence Training
Classes integrating rhythm, body awareness, and stage confidence.

● Public Speaking & Stagecraft Workshops
Developing poise, articulation, and the ability to command an audience with authenticity.

● Creative Writing & Songwriting Studios
Guided workshops nurturing imagination, expression, and compositional skill.

● Structured Outdoor Recreation & Athletics
Daily physical activity designed to build resilience, teamwork, and balance.

● Instrument Concierge Service
High-quality instruments available for students who prefer not to travel with their own.

Family Packages

The "Educational Vacation" Experience

At M2, we value the huge role that family time plays in the development of each child, and we encourage out of town families to visit campus and stay in the Santa Ynez Valley during our program. While students receive world-class instruction, families enjoy wine country, nature, coastal access, and small-town California living—without the logistics stress of planning everything from scratch.

Families have the ability to spend up to two weeks registering their child as either as a boarding student or day camp student. Students spend each day working with our renowned teaching staff while engaging in a wide array of outdoor activities and excursions throughout the local area.

We are thrilled to partner with multiple local organizations to provide discounts for short and long term stay.

Getting Here & Getting Around

The Santa Ynez Valley is easily accessible from several major Southern California airports, including Santa Barbara (SBA), Los Angeles International (LAX), and San Luis Obispo (SBP), with drive times ranging from approximately 45 minutes to 2.5 hours.

Once in the valley, a car rental is recommended, as the region is rural and best explored by vehicle. Both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Airports provide car rental pickup and drop off options.

Once students arrive on campus either as a day camper or as a boarding student, M2 staff will provide transportation to all daily activities.

Partner Hotels

We can offer special rates at Hampton Inn and Suites.

Hampton Inn and Suites

Sunday-Thursday - Standard King Standard Double Queen $159; per room per night, plus tax.
Friday & Saturday - Standard King or Standard Double Queen $249; per room per night, plus tax

https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/m2summermusicprogram2026/

Discount codes will be available in your welcome packet.

Additional list of hotels in the area can be found here: https://www.visitsyv.com/where-to-stay/

Vacation Rentals

For longer term or family stays, we have partnered with local organizations to provide luxury vacation rentals at discounted rates. For more information please enquire directly with program coordinator at davis@muffinmusic.org

More information will also be updated here soon.

sample schedule

Sample Day

7:00am: Wake up time for students. Morning routine for younger students will consist of bed-making and getting ready for the day

8:00am: Breakfast (boarding students)

9:00am – Day Camp Student Arrive

9:15 - 10:30am: Drum-line/Percussion

Break

10:45am – 12:15pm: Instrumental Ensembles

12:30pm – 1:15pm: Lunch

1:15pm – 2:15pm: Outdoor or Sports Activity

Break

2:30pm – 3:30pm: Dance Class

3:30pm – 5:00pm: Afternoon excursion, supervised instrument practice, or 1:1 lessons

5:00pm: Day Camp Student Pickup

Free Time

6:30pm: Dinner (boarding students)

7.15- 8pm: Evening music theory games, supervised instrument practice, or free time

8- 10pm: Game Night for older students! Staggered bedtime for students of different age groups with structured night time routines for younger students.

10pm: Final Lights Out

Having trouble accessing our online application?

For applicants without a google account, contact us directly by phone or email so we can send you our application pdf that you can either mail or email to us directly.

Muffin Music is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

M2 Sleep-Away Camp