Rockstar Bootcamp performance showcases local talent

Jun 21, 2018 | 11:00 AM

Weeks of learning paid off at the Rockstar Bootcamp showcase June 20.

Several budding musicians who took part in the eight-week program, which was hosted by Lee Bell of LAB Soundworks. The students studied the ins and outs of guitar, piano, drums, and bass, forming three bands of performers. While this year’s spring session included mostly young students, the camp was open to all ages.

Eleven-year-old Hannah Gagnon and her nine-year-old sister Hayden were in a band called The Bumblebees. The sisters said they enjoyed the process of learning different chords and songs, and working together to create a band name and a banner.

“You get to learn notes and you get to be part of a band,” Hannah said. “The concert was my favourite part.”

Hayden said she was happy to experiment with different kinds of music.

“Getting to have instruments and learning how to play them was my favourite part,” Hayden said. “I was nervous at first, but it was fun.”

The girls’ mother Carmen Loranger-Gagnon said her daughters have come a long way in the camp. 

“It’s a really good experience for them,” Loranger-Gagnon said. “We just joined to learn to play and the performance is such an important part too. [It] teaches them the value of hard work.”

Bell said his favourite part of the camp is seeing everyone work together to learn songs, form a band, and learn teamwork.

“They have to function as a band,” Bell said. “It’s pretty cool to see them come together. They get really excited to perform as well.”

For the fall session, Bell said he is considering adding lighting and sound as learning elements as well.

“They whole idea is learning how to put on a whole concert event,” he said. “Hoping to build a community of musicians helping each other.”

 

 

 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath