Artists, students speak the same language
Winnipeg performers blown away by trip to Baker Lake, Arviat
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, October 29, 2014
BAKER LAKE
Juno nominated children's entertainer Aaron Burnett and his wife, Kim, enjoyed themselves immensely while putting a smile on the face of hundreds of children during their visit to Arviat and Baker Lake earlier this month.
Young Janae Nugyougalik has her photo taken with the Winnipeg, Man., performing duo of Aaron Burnett and his wife, Kim, in Baker Lake earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Karen Yip |
The pair performed for students of all ages and put on a rollicking free concert in what, for all intensive purposes, was a generous non-profit tour for the Winnipeg-based duo.
Aaron said this was their first visit to the Kivalliq, and both he and Kim were blown away by the experience.
He said he couldn't have envisioned a more pleasing trip if he'd tried.
"Three days after we were home, we were still trying to sort out all the wonderful people we met and the smiling little faces of all the kids we saw," said Aaron.
"It was incredible. "One of the neatest things about music, especially with kids, is that it really is the universal language.
"We found, especially in Arviat, that even though many of the kids up to about Grade 3 were still learning English, we had them all following along, doing fun actions to songs just minutes after entering their classroom."
The Burnett's ability to motivate and interact with kids isn't surprising, when one considers they're both former elementary teachers.
Aaron said the kids in Arviat and Baker were heavily engaged with he and Kim's music and activities.
He said the smiles on their faces, and their level of participation, were nothing short of heartwarming.
"I also met with some older students learning to play guitar in Arviat. "I walked into class a stranger they didn't know much about, as they were learning Amazing Grace. "I played along with them, but nobody sang, so I asked if we could play it one more time and I would sing.
"It was really cute to be able to show them how the music you're playing can be used to back a vocalist."
Aaron said he and Kim would come back to the Kivalliq in a heartbeat.
He said the timing wasn't right for a stop in Rankin Inlet, with school being out at the time of their visit, so he and Kim have put Rankin at the top of their hit list.
"We're totally grateful to Karen Yip (Nunavut area manager for Calm Air) and the generosity of Calm Air to allow us to do this.
"With both of us having been elementary teachers, we just love kids and seeing them engaged. "While I'm playing music, my wife leads the kids through some fun actions to the chorus and then some American sign language.
"There were signers in some of the class rooms during our visit, so it was wonderful to show the kids we try to accommodate everybody in any way we can because we want everybody involved."
Aaron said he was thrilled to see how many Inuit teachers were in the two communities, especially Arviat.
He said one of the first things Levi Angmak Elementary School principal Marven MacKay Keenan did was introduce the Burnetts to his teachers.
"The high percentage of Inuit teachers was fabulous.
"And there were interpreters in some of the rooms to help with the English.
"While we were getting the kids up dancing, the adults began to take part too.
"When adults take part, it's role modelling for the kids that makes them feel more comfortable about jumping in."
