Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 26, 2007

CAMBRIDGE BAY - With the arrival of new music instructor Greg Hoosier, students in Cambridge Bay are also getting a new music program, a new guitar club and new instruments.

Matthew Ohokannoak is one of the students at Kiilinik high school in Cambridge Bay taking part in the guitar program. Hoosier, who began working at Kiilinik high school earlier this fall, has seen much enthusiasm from some of his music students - especially from the ones who come in after school to take part in the guitar club a few days a week. - photo courtesy of Greg Hoosier

Music, he said, is important in a student's development.

"I think what it does is it bends our minds in new ways and that creates new openings and it helps the old ways," he said.

Mike Simms, the school's new principal, began at the school at the same time Hoosier did and has seen the positive effect the program has on students.

"The kids love music, and (have) a real enthusiasm for it, and we have a very, very talented instructor who's just got endless energy and enthusiasm for bringing music to kids and to adults," he said.

Having worked at several schools across Canada before moving to this one, he is also impressed by the enthusiasm the students have about music.

"Because of the after-school option, it's brought that much more excitement to it, so you see guitars everywhere and music everywhere," he said.

Two of the students involved in the guitar club, Grade 11 student Logan Kunniak and Grade 8 student Matthew Ohokannoak, took it upon themselves to spread the joy of music by teaching students at the elementary school to play the guitar.

"They're just keeners and they're good at what they do, and they're excited about music so they just kind of jumped in," said Simms of the students. "The whole thing is, you're looking to build energy, enthusiasm and leadership, and these young guys are just wonderful leaders."

They are waiting for 12- and-three-quarters-sized guitars to arrive so they can begin teaching.

Simms said some of the students are already writing their own music.

"Once they have those talents, it just rolls out," he said.

The work has gone beyond the music classes and guitar club, too. He said that even in shop classes, some students are making guitar stands and cabinets.

"Music brings great things out of young people," said Simms. "It's just an amazing thing to watch."