Cayman Arts Festival holds Summer Camp for Instrumentalists

The Cayman Arts Festival summer camp held 4-8 August offered more than a chance for music students and teachers to get together; it was the perfect setting to forge new friendships while enhancing skills on their instruments. The camp, which was held at the John Gray High School Performance Centre, was for music students aged 7 to 17. 

Frances McConvey, who leads Cayman Arts Festival’s educational programmes, said the camp provided invaluable benefits to the music students.

“Because of the intensive practice and focus on technique, students showed real improvement by the end of the week,” she said, adding that the camp also provided an opportunity for participants to perform together.  “Younger students were inspired by more advanced musicians, and the older students took on leadership roles. 

The annual summer music camp is an important part of the CAF music education programme, McConvey said.

“It offers an opportunity for students to make friends with others who share similar interests and for them to become more confident in performing.”

Cayman Arts Festivals’ teachers also participated and performed with the students. They included Yoan Garcia and McConvey with the violins; Zachary Allen and Dequan Smith with the cellos; Marlon Cortes with the clarinets and saxophones; Jonelle Ebanks with the flutes; and Cameron Gilson with the pianists.

“Zachary, Dequan, and Cameron are all past students of the Cayman Arts Festival music education programme and Jonelle from before CAF was established,” McConvey said. “We are so proud to have our exceptionally talented young Caymanian musicians spearhead the teaching – they bring an unmatched enthusiasm to the programme.”

Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Cayman Arts Festival Glen Inanga said the music camp was an opportunity for the student to get the students together and practice with their instruments over the summer break.

“It also enables our alumni to learn on the job and have the experience firsthand on what is involved in teaching the next generation.”

The week culminated in a concert on Friday 8 August, which enabled the students to perform and share what they learned at the camp.  

“The turnout was great,” said McConvey. “We had parents, grandparents, siblings and well-wishers in attendance.  There was overwhelming positive feedback as parents were very impressed at what the students achieved in the week.” 

McCovey encouraged parents and family members to recognise exceptional talent in the community – gifted students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to play can be referred to the Cayman Arts Junior Instrumental programme through their school music teacher.