This past week in Yellowknife my daughters ages 8, 7, and 5 and I have been exposed to more arts, culture and live music than any previous summers living down south.
My oldest daughter, Kayla had the pleasure of attending the City of Yellowknife’s Musical Theater Camp for ages 8 to 13. Susan Shantora, a 30-year veteran music teacher and her two daughters, Olivia and Diana Rockwell, directed the 14 registrants in the musical production, The Wizard of Oz.
Mrs. Shantora stated, “This camp marks our seventh year of production. We try to pick plays that the kids are familiar with from movies such as The Lion King or Frozen.”
It was an impressive feat for the kids to learn their lines, four group songs, and solo pieces in four days for the final production last Friday. Approximately 30 family members, and friends gathered in the foyer of the Sir John Franklin High School to witness the live theater magic.
This camp made such an impression on Kayla that she is now planning an acting career and asked when we can move to Hollywood.
My youngest two participated in a week-long art camp with six other children, ages 6 to 12 at Saxifrage Studios with professional artist, Tracey Bryant. My 7-year-old Aubrey declared surrealism as her favorite art class, and has continued to create fantastical creatures at home.
On the last day I arrived at the studio for pick up, the kids curated their own art work, weaving stories about dragons attacking Yellowknife City Hall and the old Con Mine Headframe, and sea monsters living in Great Slave Lake.
Their imaginations and creativity reminded me of Pablo Picasso’s quote, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” I know that the art techniques and confidence that Tracey gifted them last week will remain locked in their hearts, feeding their creative works, and hopefully remaining with them into adulthood.
Our arts experience continued into the weekend with Folk on the Rocks. It was my first time bringing the girls to a live music festival.
We spent most of our time at the Lil Folkers Stage, and watched the performances of Rock the Arts – an Ottawa based professional puppet company, the Aurora Fiddle Society, and the YK Dene Drummers.
I was thrilled when the Aurora Fiddle Society offered the children the opportunity to try fiddling with a quick workshop. The kids gathered in a circle while an instructor lead them in a song. There were several adult volunteers that helped with hand position on the bow, and offered an encouraging word.
My youngest jumped on stage to perform the newly learned song, and I told her afterwards, “Grandpa Bill Enge would be proud! You’re a good Metis fiddler!”
Finally, I was in awe of the YK Dene drummers as they took to the stage to demonstrate drumming and handgames. Following the demo they invited all the kids, of various ages and backgrounds to learn the signals of the handgames.
How amazing is it to go to a music festival that supports Indigenous artists and musicians, and actually have the opportunity to participate in their culture?
I have witnessed the benefits of the arts through my girls and all the kids we have come in contact with this week. Art, in all its forms, teaches kids communication skills, teamwork, creative play, critical thinking skills, public speaking and performance, the ability to express their inner world through various forms, and brings joy to their lives.
The revelation that I’ve had this week is that Yellowknife nurtures artists starting in childhood through affordable classes, free music events and amazing festivals such as Folk on the Rocks.