Accordion and fiddle instructor Greg Brown of Ottawa worked with, front row, from left, Thomas Nakashuk, Micah Mauricio, and accordion and fiddle instructor Joshua Qannaq of Iglulik, along with, back row, from left, Penelope Armstrong, Rosalie DeMaio, Talia Armstrong, and Leena Bugbee-Ekho. - photo courtesy of Tracey MacMillan

IQALUIT
A select group of Grade 5 Nakasuk School students received an opportunity to learn an instrument that some had never even seen before, let alone considered playing, when Canada's national orchestra brought an accordion workshop to Iqaluit.

"It was pretty cool," said student Kataryna Dawiskiba. "I've always wanted to learn how to play, but I've never had time to learn. So I was really glad that I was one of the students that got picked to go down. It was really fun."

Dawiskiba was one of seven randomly-chosen students to participate in the workshop run by National Arts Centre music ambassador Greg Brown and Iglulik accordion player Joshua Qannaq Nov. 24 to 26. The workshop was organized by Iqaluit Music Society president Darlene Nuqingaq.

It's important "to expose our students to new experiences," said Nakasuk School principal Tracey MacMillan. "It cultivates their talents, and involvement in music and fine arts. Anything that increases their attachment to school is a great opportunity for the students, so we're very thankful to provide them with this opportunity."

"We did it after lunch, and we would play these songs," said student Rosalie DeMaio. "It was just really fun. It was my second time (playing accordion), but for everyone else it was the first time."

Both instructors also teach fiddle, an instrument played by cousins Penelope Armstrong and Talia Armstrong.

"I thought it was really cool because I've never played this instrument, and it's very different from the instrument I play," said Penelope, who enjoyed sharing the experience with her friends.

"I've seen both of them before with fiddle," Talia added. "But the accordion does sound sort of like the fiddle."

She said the accordion is easier than the fiddle, which worked in the students' favour. By the end of the three days, student Leena Bugbee-Ekho said she was confident on the instrument.

"Once I got used to it, it got funner," she said. "I like the sound of it, and having to press a lot of buttons."

"It makes these funny sounds sometimes if you press the wrong buttons," said Micah Mauricio. "It was fun to learn about an instrument you don't get to hear that much."

"It is very awesome to practise the accordion," said Thomas Nakashuk. "We got to play a few parts of a song."

MacMillan said the results were positive.

"You could follow the notes in the song, so they did really well," she said. "I'm really proud of them. It was a wonderful experience for the students. They were really excited, and you can see the progression by the end of the workshop, and just the pride and ownership that the students demonstrated when they were playing the songs."

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