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Music camp coming to Waupaca

Local B&B inspires Illinois teacher

By Angie Landsverk


Jenny Maragia’s decision to take a road trip with one of her children resulted in a music camp coming to Waupaca this summer.

She is hosting Studio 3 Music Camp at Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast June 26-30.

“I had always wanted to do a music camp in Wisconsin,” Maragia said. “I love Wisconsin. I only live a mile from the border.”

She mentioned her idea to Kerri Thiel last June when she stayed at Thiel’s business, Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast.

Maragia is the mother of four children and likes to plan trips with each of them.

She had never stayed at a bed and breakfast before. By chance, she came across Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast during her search for one.

“I wasn’t looking at Waupaca,” Maragia said.

For some reason, she felt drawn to the inn and booked a stay there.

Maragia and Thiel quickly formed a friendship due to their common sense of adventure and entrepreneurship.

Thiel told Maragia she should have the camp at the bed and breakfast.

“I thought it would be a great way to promote a new experience for kids,” Maragia said.

She found the community to be receptive to her idea, fundraised back home for it and hopes to make the camp an annual event, with local students attending as well.

Maragia runs her business, Studio 3, in Rockford, Illinois.

She teaches private piano lessons, vocal coaching and group theory/performance classes to students of all ages.

Maragia has been teaching privately since age 14 and founded her studio in 2009.

She currently has more than 40 private students and a waiting list.

In its first year, Studio 3 Music Camp is going to be small, with a few families from her studio participating.

Parents are also accompanying the children to give Maragia feedback and input about the camp.

Maragia is incorparting outdoor activities into the camp, as well as a cooking class at another local bed and breakfast – The Green Fountain Inn.

The camp includes a free concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at Z’Wolf Eatery, 107 W. Fulton St., in downtown Waupaca.
The performance is going to include the students on vocals, keys, drums, guitar and bass.

“My kids (students) all play two instruments,” Maragia said.

She expects the concert to last about 1 1/2 hours and says they are excited to have the concert at that venue.

Maragia said her music camp is a new aspect of business for the community.

“I’m hoping with networking, I can make the camp bigger,” she said.

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