Week two of the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party hosted 102 campers. With 21 instructors, each camper had quality, one-on-one instruction.
Each camper learned a lot and greatly enjoyed their time at the camp. Some of the campers having returned for a second week, either for instruction on a different instrument or to enjoy learning the same one with new a new instructor. There was a fun rivalry of jokes played out between each other and how the campers were moving to the dark side in order to play a different instrument.
This week another feature was an instructor at large, Sabin Jacques, who played the button accordion. A great number of campers participated in this from banjos, to guitars and fiddles.
Ranging from raw beginners to very advanced players from all ages, including some who were given the praise as being able to instruct at their own camps.
There was an abundance of talent on stage between the instructors and campers. They all put on a fantastic show. Some of the entertainment included the shark music from Jaws played by a piano group. It was their ode to Shark Week seeing as that's what they missed this week on Discovery Channel.
Other performances included many songs of Quebec and Metis songs. There were also various number of songs encouraging the crowd to sing along: We are Young, Fishing in the Dark, and You are my Sunshine.
With draws for a number of prizes and a 50/50, each person attending thoroughly enjoyed not only the performances but the chance to win.
One of the people present in the crowd of spectators was Fred Easton, the man that inspired Michele Amy to embrace the fiddle leading to her beginning to teach fiddle and put on this fantastic camp.
Carlyle native Gillian Maher, who now resides in Regina teaching fiddle at Music in the House, was one of the instructors during both the Kids Camp earlier this summer and week two at the Kitchen Party. Maher is an avid fiddle player who has much experience having studied in Saskatchewan, Ireland, and with Natalie MacMaster.
She has been a great addition to the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party. Having shared her knowledge last year as well, she proves to be a fantastic instructor, which the campers enjoy to work with. All were very happy to have her back again this year and look forward to continue working with her in the future.
The camp also hosted a number of instructors from across North America. From the east to the west coasts of Canada many attended as well as from various states.
Something quite exciting that Amy also spoke about was the Canadian Grand Masters being held in Saskatoon next year. It has never been hosted outside of Ontario before. It is quite an exciting time for Saskatchewan and for the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party. They hope to organize a bus for those who go to the camp next year, which has also led to them altering their dates for the camp. This is exciting because some of the instructors next year will be competing here.
A great experience for the whole family, which makes learning an instrument fun, as you receive instruction from fantastic instructors from across North America.
