FAQ
Participant Housing
Student participants and chaperones will be housed in the Bigelow & Henry halls. Men and women will be housed on separate floors. All rooms are suites and accommodate 2 persons with shared shower/toilet facilities located on each floor. We do our best to accommodate roommate requests; however, both participants must make the request in order for it to be honored. Be sure to note this on your registration form. Please do not practice in your room between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. so those trying to sleep are not disturbed. Directions to performance and dining facilities will be clearly marked.
Student participants and chaperones will be housed in the Bigelow & Henry halls. Men and women will be housed on separate floors. All rooms are suites and accommodate 2 persons with shared shower/toilet facilities located on each floor. We do our best to accommodate roommate requests; however, both participants must make the request in order for it to be honored. Be sure to note this on your registration form. Please do not practice in your room between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. so those trying to sleep are not disturbed. Directions to performance and dining facilities will be clearly marked.
Chaperones
In addition to teachers, directors, and adult chaperones who will reside in the halls with participants, WMU students are hired to patrol the hallways at night. These students wear special MYAF t-shirts so they are easily identifiable as resource personnel.
In addition to teachers, directors, and adult chaperones who will reside in the halls with participants, WMU students are hired to patrol the hallways at night. These students wear special MYAF t-shirts so they are easily identifiable as resource personnel.
Overnight Participant Check-In
Check-in for all halls will be in the Bigelow Lounge. Peak check-in times are 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Expect lines and keep track of your time. If you need to leave to go to a practice, you can check-in after your practice sessions ends.
Thursday: Check-in 10 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Friday: Check-in 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: Check-out by 5 p.m.
Check-in for all halls will be in the Bigelow Lounge. Peak check-in times are 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Expect lines and keep track of your time. If you need to leave to go to a practice, you can check-in after your practice sessions ends.
Thursday: Check-in 10 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Friday: Check-in 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: Check-out by 5 p.m.
Conference Packets
Participants will receive information packets at check-in. Included in the packet will be discipline specific schedules, a campus map, a schedule of public performances and events, a Festival booklet and a nametag.
Participants will receive information packets at check-in. Included in the packet will be discipline specific schedules, a campus map, a schedule of public performances and events, a Festival booklet and a nametag.
Important Phone Numbers May 8-10th Only
MYAF Headquarters @ Dalton:
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (269) 387-5815
Bigelow Reception Desk:
6:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. (269) 387-4779
University Police (24 hours): (269) 387-5555
To reach a festival participant in the event of an emergency, call Bigelow or leave a message at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center.
MYAF Headquarters @ Dalton:
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (269) 387-5815
Bigelow Reception Desk:
6:30 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. (269) 387-4779
University Police (24 hours): (269) 387-5555
To reach a festival participant in the event of an emergency, call Bigelow or leave a message at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center.
Room Checks
Room checks will be done by the adult chaperones Thursday and Friday night after the residence halls are locked. They will have a floor roster and confirm that all students are accounted for and in the proper rooms. Be sure you're there by room check time!
Room checks will be done by the adult chaperones Thursday and Friday night after the residence halls are locked. They will have a floor roster and confirm that all students are accounted for and in the proper rooms. Be sure you're there by room check time!
Day-Only Participant Check-In
Day-only participants should check-in at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center lobby. Pick up your conference packet and name badge there.
Day-only participants should check-in at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center lobby. Pick up your conference packet and name badge there.
Parking
Parking permits for overnight guests are available for $10 when you check-in. With a WMU permit, you may park in the Valley I lots or the outside lots at Miller Auditorium. School buses should drop off students and then park in the Lawson Ice Arena lot (lot #64). Parking is free after 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and all day on Saturday.
Day-only participants must park in the Miller Auditorium parking ramp on Thursday and Friday. Parking on Friday in the Miller Auditorium parking ramp is free. At other times, the meters are $1 per hour, or one-day parking permits are available for $5 at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center Lobby. You may park in surface lots on Saturday at no charge.
Parking permits for overnight guests are available for $10 when you check-in. With a WMU permit, you may park in the Valley I lots or the outside lots at Miller Auditorium. School buses should drop off students and then park in the Lawson Ice Arena lot (lot #64). Parking is free after 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and all day on Saturday.
Day-only participants must park in the Miller Auditorium parking ramp on Thursday and Friday. Parking on Friday in the Miller Auditorium parking ramp is free. At other times, the meters are $1 per hour, or one-day parking permits are available for $5 at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center Lobby. You may park in surface lots on Saturday at no charge.
Linen
Each participant will be provided with 2 sheets, one pillowcase, two towels, one washcloth, and a pillow. Participants are advised to bring their own blanket or sleeping bag. Participants will be expected to make their own beds. There will be a charge for missing linen.
Each participant will be provided with 2 sheets, one pillowcase, two towels, one washcloth, and a pillow. Participants are advised to bring their own blanket or sleeping bag. Participants will be expected to make their own beds. There will be a charge for missing linen.
Keys
Turn in keys at the end of the Festival to the residence hall reception desk. The charge for lost keys is $75 and it will be your responsibility to pay this fee.
Turn in keys at the end of the Festival to the residence hall reception desk. The charge for lost keys is $75 and it will be your responsibility to pay this fee.
Meals
Dinner will not be provided on Thursday unless a student is rehearsing and/or performing on Thursday. Breakfast and dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday will be served in the Bigelow Hall dining room. Box lunches will be available Friday in Miller Auditorium and on Saturday in the Dalton Center. Name tags are required for admittance to all meals.
Dinner will not be provided on Thursday unless a student is rehearsing and/or performing on Thursday. Breakfast and dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday will be served in the Bigelow Hall dining room. Box lunches will be available Friday in Miller Auditorium and on Saturday in the Dalton Center. Name tags are required for admittance to all meals.
First Aid
Students in need of medical attention will be taken to Sindecuse Health Center or Bronson Hospital. It is imperative that the Health Permission Form be completed by every participant regardless of age and returned with the registration materials. Indicate on the health form if you have special needs.
Students in need of medical attention will be taken to Sindecuse Health Center or Bronson Hospital. It is imperative that the Health Permission Form be completed by every participant regardless of age and returned with the registration materials. Indicate on the health form if you have special needs.
Friday Reception
Following Friday night's performances there will be a reception in the Bigelow Cafeteria with the MYAF Jazz Combo performing. Refreshments will be available.
Following Friday night's performances there will be a reception in the Bigelow Cafeteria with the MYAF Jazz Combo performing. Refreshments will be available.
Festival Passes
This year, all public performances at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival are free and open to the public.
This year, all public performances at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival are free and open to the public.
Late Seating Policy
It is the policy of the MYAF Board that there will be no late seating during performances. Late arrivals will be seated at appropriate breaks in performances or during intermission.
It is the policy of the MYAF Board that there will be no late seating during performances. Late arrivals will be seated at appropriate breaks in performances or during intermission.
MYAF T-Shirts and Souvenirs
MYAF t-shirts and other souvenirs will be on sale at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center all day Friday and Saturday. Come early... we nearly sold all t-shirts last year! T-shirts: $15.
MYAF t-shirts and other souvenirs will be on sale at Festival Headquarters in the Dalton Center all day Friday and Saturday. Come early... we nearly sold all t-shirts last year! T-shirts: $15.
Friends Fund
The Michigan Youth Arts Festival Board invites you to become a Friend of the Festival. Your financial contribution will help support the Festival and Michigan's young artists. MYAF is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax deductible as allowable by law. Checks may be made payable to Michigan Youth Arts Festival. Many thanks!
The Michigan Youth Arts Festival Board invites you to become a Friend of the Festival. Your financial contribution will help support the Festival and Michigan's young artists. MYAF is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax deductible as allowable by law. Checks may be made payable to Michigan Youth Arts Festival. Many thanks!
For More Information
Write, call, or e-mail Kim Dabbs, Executive Director at:
Michigan Youth Arts Festival
Epic Center, Ste. 203
359 S. Kalamazoo Mall
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269)342-1400
E-mail: director@myaf.org
Write, call, or e-mail Kim Dabbs, Executive Director at:
Michigan Youth Arts Festival
Epic Center, Ste. 203
359 S. Kalamazoo Mall
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269)342-1400
E-mail: director@myaf.org