IQALUIT - Traditions from the North and south met in Iqaluit’s music camp Aug.17 to 21 at Aqsarniit Middle School.

Advanced guitar student Calven Aula takes some pointers on playin’ the blues from instructors Andrew Morrison and Josh Qaumariaq. - Gabriel Zarate/NNSL photo

Children and youth had a wide range of choices in the music they wanted to learn, from throat singing and drum dancing to the fiddle and the guitar.

"At first they’re really shy to make the sounds and they don’t know the people they’re throat singing with," said instructor Nancy Saunders.

She and Sandra Ikkidluak had a class of seven girls and were amazed at some of the skill levels already present. Some of the instructors were from Iqaluit, but others came from other parts of Canada just to help out with Iqaluit’s music camp.

"It’s a lot of fun being able to come back here since this is where I started learning," said Samantha McKinder.

McKinder went to school in Iqaluit but has since moved to Ottawa. She came back to help teach fiddle, which she first learned at Iqaluit’s fiddle club.

"We want to provide the opportunity for kids to try different things," said Darlene Nuqingak, the camp’s director.

Campers age six to 15 had the choice of workshops on fiddling, throat singing, drum dancing, recorder, choral singing, percussion, hand bells, guitar and hip hop dancing.

Around 80 campers took the one-week program at Aqsarniit Middle School. Few could be seen wandering around, as most preferred to stay in the classrooms and make music.

“There’s not a kid in the hallway,” Nuqingak said with pride.

On Friday, Aug. 21, Aqsarniit gymnasium rang out with the sound of the camp's big show. To their parents' delight, the young musicians showcased their developing musical talents in a public concert with every instrumental class included.

Musical forms were as varied as the material: everything from throat singing to the blues to church hymns.

Nuqingak stressed it's important to start a musical education while young.

"If you're going to be a virtuoso, you're pretty much going to be a virtuoso at nine, 10, 11, 12 years old,” said Nuqingak.