Jeanette Wiggin, director emeritus, with her grandson Matthew, right, and son John, left center and daughter-in-law Kim, far left, at the entrance to the family’s New England Music Camp in Sidney. The music camp has lasted over four generations in the Wiggin family and is about to celebrate its 90th summer.
The New England Music Camp was founded by Dr. Paul E. Wiggin and his wife Nina in 1937 as a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the cultivation and refinement of musical skills in young people. Central to this philosophy is the support and development of the physical, emotional, and social well-being of young musicians. For almost 90 years, we have proudly supported a rich family environment with an emphasis on teaching the “whole person”.
The tradition of family extends to the generations of alumni who return each summer and send their children and grandchildren to experience magical summers growing up on Lake Messalonskee.
Four Generations of Wiggin Family Leadership
NEMC has enjoyed the leadership of three generations of the Wiggin family. In 1970 Davis Wiggin and his wife Jeanette took over camper operations and in 2010, the third generation of the Wiggin family, Davis and Jeanette’s son John and his wife Kim, took on the roles of co-directors of the camp. Today, John is Executive Director of Snow Pond Center for the Arts, while Kim and their son Matthew, the fourth generation, are Co-Directors of the camp.
NEMC is fortunate to have a dedicated administrative staff who work year round. We also benefit from an active Board of Advisors and Board or Directors who provide strong support for the NEMC program, infrastructure and the camper experience.