FROM ALBUQUERQUE TO SWITZERLAND

By Andrea Cassutt

The summer adventures of our students and teachers have them following their musical hearts all over!  With 230 students last year and 8 staff, we’re sure there are at least that many stories about how the summer is going, but we’ve heard a few already.

Discovering New Instruments

In her adventures at Texas Tech Band and Orchestra camp, flautist Abby Wilson (SFYSA Youth Philharmonic and Jazz Performance) is playing in the top ensemble, and also learning bass flute. She had the chance to try contra bass flute and loved it. Her younger brothers Sam and Aden are also practicing and working on their musicianship this summer. Sam went to Hummingbird music camp for Viola and Chess, and Aden is taking lessons and getting ready to join our Prelude String Orchestra in the fall. Joshua, one of our Elementary String Viola players has branched out to take guitar lessons this summer in Albuquerque, and his teacher is impressed that his learning and understanding of string instruments has crossed over so well.     

Returning to beautiful and beloved places

One of our new conductors, Carla Kountoupes, teaches at Sitka Fine Arts Camp in Alaska during the summers! It looks a magical place on the coast, which she clearly enjoys.  We look forward to her returning inspired and in touch with wild places to lead the Prelude String Orchestra this fall.

Going far away

Kayden plays violin in our Youth Philharmonic, and he also plays the piano. His talent and love for the piano have taken him all the way to Switzerland this summer for a Julliard program in the Fine Arts held at the Collège du Léman boarding school campus. Students from all levels of experience and all different nationalities attend and we can’t wait to hear how it was!

Staying close to home

Many of our students and families will be here in Santa Fe for the summer, hard at work in jobs, and hopefully also finding time to practice and attend the many musical events in our city! We hope everyone is exploring the free music at the Santa Bandstand on the Plaza and in the Railyard!

The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival has a special youth concert series each year. https://www.santafechambermusic.com/concert-calendar/youth-concerts/
 
Whether traveling, practicing or attending performances, we wish you a musical summer!