This year’s Yukon Summer Music Camp is going ahead, with a new producer and administrative officer at the helm. Yukon Music Camp Society has opened registration for the second year of Yukon Summer Music Camp, pandemic edition. While last year’s camp was considerably smaller than usual, and limited by stricter COVID guidelines, this year’s will look more like it has in previous years, thanks to the incredible progress the Yukon has made in curbing the spread of the virus.
“Although the camp normally includes a mix of local instructors and faculty from outside the territory, the 2020 camp was taught exclusively by our excellent roster of Yukon-based music educators,” said Elaine Schiman, president of Yukon Music Camp Society, adding that while this year won’t be quite the same as it normally is, she is hoping to bring on board some instructors from B.C.Whether that is able to happen or not, Yukon Music Camp Society is still welcoming some new additions to the summer camp faculty team. Simone Kitchen, who was born and raised in Whitehorse before moving to Toronto to pursue post-secondary education in political science and journalism, will be taking on the role of producer. Kitchen is a former student of the music camp, and has since worked in theatre, radio and TV.Another new faculty member this season is Angie Tremblay, who will be serving as administrative officer. Tremblay has worked for such organizations as Jazz Aviation, the Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority and Indigenous Services Canada. She has also taken courses at Yukon University that are relevant to the work she is doing with Yukon Music Camp Society.“We are delighted to have Simone and Angie on board,” said Schiman. “They both bring the experience, energy, enthusiasm and commitment that has allowed this camp to thrive for almost 35 years.”Schiman also expressed gratitude to departing camp coordinator Katherine McCallum, saying McCallum grew the camp greatly during her years of service.“Working as the music camp producer for the past eight years has been an absolute treat,” said McCallum. “I plan to return every year as a student, as do my kids.”This year, the Yukon Summer Music Camp will be offering a variety of classes, such as vocal classes with Diyet van Lieshout, fiddle classes with Kieran Poile, music theory classes with Graeme Poile, guitar and ukulele classes with Steve Slade, piano classes with Andrea McColeman, jazz combo classes with David Restivo, rock band classes with Paris Pick and Selina Heyligers-Hare and many others, for an absolutely packed schedule.Something new this year that has never been offered before is a class in beatboxing with Marshal Buyck, also known as John Stosh. “I’m really trying to plug the beatboxing class this year, because Marshal is unreal and it’s the first time we’re offering it,” said Kitchen.While the early registration period has passed, regular registration is open May 31 until July 15. Late registrations sent in after the deadline will be subject to an additional administration fee of 15 per cent. Classes without a sufficient number of registered students will be cancelled and cancellations will be announced on July 18. Classes are offered for children, youths and adults.For more information and to register, visit yukonmusic.ca
