KOSA Academy of Music Graduation Ceremony
Yesterday [Nov 22] Minister of Youth, Families, Sports and Community Development Glenn Blakeney attended a ceremony to honour ten students who successfully participated in a unique cultural exchange and music programme at the Kosa Academy of Music in Montreal, Canada this past summer.
The students, who range from 6 – 18 years old, received state-of-the-art musical instruction in drumming, guitar and piano.
Minister Blakeney’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon Everyone,
I am very pleased to join you today to commend 10 of our students who successfully participated in a unique cultural exchange and music programme at the Kosa Academy of Music, Montreal, Canada this past Summer.
With financial assistance from the Department of Community & Cultural Affairs, Professor Eddie Ming of Eddie Ming Rhythm Labs accompanied our students – who ranged in age from 6 – 18 years old, to the Academy where they received state-of-the-art musical instruction in drumming, guitar and piano.
The Academy is one that was founded by Aldo Mazza who is internationally acclaimed for his musical expertise as a drummer, percussionist, as an artistic director and educator.
Our Bermudian students received individual instruction and they were able to participate in an ensemble, playing in a small band with Canadian students who were also attending the Kosa summer programme.
Students, I congratulate each of you for their positive interaction at the camp. You have been excellent role models and I am sure that this enriching, cultural exposure has demonstrated for each of you that music is indeed a universal language that allows us to interact harmoniously with each other.
I am pleased that you have gained a better appreciation for music and I am sure that this enriching experience will serve you well as you continue to develop your musical talents.
The aim of the Eddie Ming Rhythm Labs is to expose young people to music; to develop cultural awareness through music and to afford students an opportunity to build self-confidence.
Such efforts that provide students with an avenue for self expression and creativity are indeed welcome. The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Families and Community Developments appreciates the dedication of persons such as Mr. Ming who endeavour to make a difference in the lives of our young people.
The financial assistance from the Ministry has played a vital part in assisting these young people to broaden their horizons and I encourage other young people to also pursue their artistic and musical endeavours through programmes such as this.
Again, Congratulations, and well-done to each of you.
Thank you.
Its good to see young Bermudians getting a chance to go overseas and improve their talent. I love to read articles like this as opposed to negativity.
Funny how articles like these get no comments. Im sure if it was something negative i.e. shooting, robbery or murder trial there would have been 50 comments by now.
I am convinced there are more positive youths in Bermudians than people think. Its unfortunate that they get less attention and spotlight then the negative ones.
Congrats to the local student musicans who received this opportunity.
Earlier this year, PlayList Management, LLC, took three (3) Berkeley Institute students to Atlanta, GA for one week of instensive music instruction at Lion’s Share Cre8tiv, Atlanta’s #1 artist development company, as well as providing free studio time at Orange Room Studios, one of Atlanta’s premier recording studios. This opportunity was supported by the Bermuda Art’s Council who provided sponsorship funds, as well as the management team of PlayList Management, LLC, a artist management company based in Atlanta, created and managed by a local Bermudian. This opportunity has blossomed into a full fledged program – the Developing Artist Program or DAP Program.
The DAP program is scheduled to continue next summer as the selection of students has already begun. More information will be provided soon – - for more information, contact pr.playlistmanagement@gmail.com