Former student shares passion
Sam Tagalik becomes instructor to pass on gift of music at camp
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Friday, August 28, 2015
IQALUIT
Past music camp attendee, now an instructor, Sam Tagalik thinks music helps his brain operate.
Sam Tagalik believes music helps him think. The Iqaluit youth has gone from music camp attendee to instructor. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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"Once you start thinking in an instrument, your brain makes connections a lot more," said Tagalik during a break in teaching guitar to youth at a music camp.
"I've known that to help both in the music world and outside of it. I know people who played music and then tried something and got it easier, because they recognized the patterns."
His favourite music to work to is classical.
"I did that throughout high school," he said. "Just find songs that don't have words, instrumentals, maybe just a beat -- it really does help you and keeps you going. You don't really realize what you're doing, and you're just doing it."
The Iqaluit youth, who turned 20 this year, is the same age as the participants in the camp he instructs, the same camp in which he was once a participant.
"I'm pretty much teaching what I learned -- basic chords, what's on a guitar, what sounds good and what doesn't," said Tagalik. "I'm teaching kids these strings go with these, this note goes with that note."
He tries to incorporate music popular with his students into class lessons.
Darlene Nuqingaq, president of the Iqaluit Music Society, remembers when Tagalik started playing back in 2007.
"I've known Sam ever since he was in Grade 7," said Nuqingaq. "He just has a keen love of music and he taught himself how to play classical guitar."
She was impressed with his work and said he's taken a leadership role in the music camp.
"He stays late with me to make sure all the kids make it home safely," said Nuqingaq. "He goes above and beyond. Whatever needs to be done, he volunteers his time to do it."
Tagalik also helps out as a substitute teacher during the year and has done some volunteering at the high school.
He's hoping to further his own music career in the next few years.
"I want to attend music schooling to get a better education about it," Tagalik said.
His passion runs so deep that he wants to become a full-time music teacher eventually.
