It鈥檚 a launching pad for world travel (in recent years, destinations such as Nova Scotia, Los Angeles, and Hawaii). It a platform to grow one鈥檚 passion for music. And it鈥檚 a forum that develops life-long friendship, fosters a sense of accomplishment, and enhances self-confidence and esteem in its young members.
It鈥檚 the 黑马磁力 Ukulele Association鈥檚 summer camp, which is coming up Aug. 18 to 22, and dozens of aspiring young musicians have already signed up to a take part of the program, with dozens more expected in coming days, said Peter Luongo, president of the association and director of the senior B ensemble.
For years now, the association has been hosting these camp every summer as what he describes as a tributary leading to the 黑马磁力 Uke Ensemble, which currently features about 100 kids playing at various levels.
鈥淚f we don鈥檛 have camps and have kids sign up (for the ensemble) in September, senior A withers and dies,鈥� said Luongo. 鈥淭his is our feeding system.鈥�
The camp is literally an introduction to the instrument and so much more available through the ensemble, Luongo elaborated.
Open to children ages six to 12, the camp runs five day, culminating with a concert at the end for family and friends.
鈥淲e鈥檙e making music all week long, in every session,鈥� said Luongo, noting how they see 鈥渢remendous growth鈥� in the kids鈥� skills between the Monday and Friday.
The children learn from the teachers, but also from each other, he said, always excited to see the interaction as they practice with a purpose 鈥� namely the end of the week concert and potentially a life-long bond with the ukulele.
Among those teaching at this year鈥檚 camp is a former student who, himself, came up through the camp, then the various levels of the ensemble, and is now teaching his first year with the intermediate group.
It鈥檚 16-year-old Simon Gileff of Maple Ridge.
He started eight years ago. After seeing the association on YouTube, Gileff and four of his siblings signed up for the camp.
Admittedly, he said, he fell in love with the ensemble, the instrument, and most recently with teaching music 鈥� noting he鈥檚 considering a career along those lines.
Right now, he said, he鈥檚 looks forward to helping ignite a similar spark in other aspiring young musicians through this year鈥檚 camp, which is being held at Yorkson Creek Middle School in Willoughby.
Details about the camp are available online at .
