About Camp
Our Philosophy
Camp should be a place to learn, have fun, and feel supported. At Silver Lake Band Camp, campers practice, play, and grow in a setting designed to build confidence and community.
Our goal is simple: create a safe, encouraging space where every camper can enjoy music, friendships, and the beauty of the outdoors.
Established in 1971
History of SLBC
Silver Lake Band Camp was founded in 1971 by Henry Avila and Bob Flentge, both past presidents of the California Band Directors Association. The camp began with five directors and 50 high school musicians, sharing the City of Stockton’s Municipal Family Camp with local family campers.
By 1974, the program expanded to include a junior high band, bringing total enrollment to roughly 100 campers. During this time, SLBC also introduced a college-credit Band Directors Workshop, welcoming 18 to 25 Northern California band directors who attended rehearsals and clinics and often encouraged their own students to join the camp.
As interest grew, SLBC eventually took over the entire Stockton Family Camp facility. The Director’s Workshop was discontinued to make room for the increasing number of young musicians. By 1985, enrollment reached 195 campers, filling the facilities to capacity.
Our Staff
Our team includes experienced band directors, counselors, and staff who care deeply about music education. Campers practice with top educators from middle schools, high schools, and colleges across Northern California and beyond.
Administrative
Staff
Jason Bury
Owner & Camp Director
Christine Foster
Camp Coordinator
Marshall Brown
Head Counselor
Maverik Wilson
Head Counselor
Shannon Kai
Head Counselor
Sarah Kouklis
CIT Director
Nicole Long
Nurse
Senior Band
Staff
Sandra Lewis
Senior Band Chairwoman, Director
Gunn High School,
Palo Alto
Jonathan Grantham
Director
Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton
Katye Maki
Director
Hughson High School, Hughson
Teri Musiel
Director
Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon
Gabe Garvin
Senior Band Librarian
Junior Band
Staff
Carol Kouklis
Junior Band Chairwoman
Pleasant Valley Middle School, Placerville
Jenny Anderson
Director
RJ Fisher Middle School, Los Gatos
Chris Watson
Director
Clovis Middle School, Clovis
Jonathan Pwu
Director
Dartmouth Middle School, Saratoga
Jane Slavensky
Junior Band Librarian
Our Camp
Legends
Mike Divita
Christensen Middle
School, Livermore
Ernie Thompson
Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill
Tom Jones
Granada High School, Livermore
Randy Watson
Mendenhall Middle
School, Livermore
Matt Mackey
Franklin High School,
Elk Grove
Lesley Watson
Tracy Learning
Center, Tracy
Kathleen Jones
Jackson Avenue Elementary School, Livermore
Joe Perry
Head Counselor
Valerie Sommer
Head Counselor
Our Partners
Silver Lake Band Camp is supported by a community of organizations, educators, and local businesses who care about music education as much as we do. These partners help us create meaningful experiences for campers — from providing resources and expertise to cheering on our mission year after year. Their generosity and collaboration allow us to keep camp fun, accessible, and filled with opportunities for young musicians to grow.
