Our History
In 1969, Rosamond and Rein van der Linde (1929–1996) went looking for a summer piano camp for their children, could not find one, and decided to create their own. The first Summer Sonatina camps were held in the family’s 12-room home in North Bennington, Vermont, eventually accommodating 10 boarders, with pianos placed everywhere — the basement, the attic, the garage, even next to the washer and dryer. In 1978 the family moved to a large gray mansion in Old Bennington, in time for Opus 9, the ninth season. Built in 1895 by Admiral W. L. Field, the house is on the National Register of Historic Buildings and sits on two acres with mountain views, within walking distance of the Old First Church, the Bennington Museum, the Walloomsac Inn and the Bennington Battle Monument. Parents of Summer Sonatina campers asked for an adult program, which became Winter Sonata in 1979, and other Sonata programs followed. In 1991 directorship passed to Polly van der Linde, the eldest van der Linde daughter, keeping the camp in the family. The Intermezzo program, a 5-day condensed version of Sonata, was introduced in 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sonatina Piano Camps founded?
Summer Sonatina was founded in 1969 by Rosamond and Rein van der Linde, after they went looking for a summer piano camp for their own children and could not find one. The first camps were held in the family home in North Bennington, Vermont.
Who runs Sonatina Piano Camps now?
Directorship passed in 1991 to Polly van der Linde, the eldest van der Linde daughter, and the camp has remained family-run since. Rosamond van der Linde, the founder, continues to teach in Florida.
Where are Sonatina Piano Camps held?
Since 1978 the camps have been held in a gray mansion in Old Bennington, Vermont, built in 1895 by Admiral W. L. Field and listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. It sits on two acres with mountain views, walking distance from the Old First Church, Bennington Museum, Walloomsac Inn and Bennington Battle Monument.
Has Sonatina Piano Camps been covered in the media?
Yes. NPR host Noah Adams attended Autumn Sonata in 1994 and featured it in his book Piano Lessons: Music, Love and True Adventures. Katie Hafner wrote about Sonata for the New York Times in 2002, and CNN’s NewsNight with Aaron Brown showcased the camp in 2003. The camps have also appeared in Seventeen, Vermont Life, Stratton Magazine, Vermont Public Radio, the Bennington Banner, Times Union, Yankee Magazine and Vermont ETV’s Crossroads.
When did Sonatina start offering camps for adults?
Winter Sonata, the first adult program, began in 1979 after parents of Summer Sonatina campers requested a program for themselves. Additional Sonata programs followed, and Intermezzo, a 5-day condensed version of Sonata, was introduced in 2006.
Is there a book about Sonatina Piano Camps?
Yes. Founder Rosamond van der Linde’s memoir, A Piano in Every Room, chronicles the van der Linde family and the development of the piano camps.