Kids make sweet music at Supernovas pan camp

FIRST CITIZENS Supernovas is hosting its kids’ pan camp once again.

Supernovas started the kids pan camp in 2018 and returned in 2022 after the covid19 pandemic.

Some of the pan camp graduates now play with the First Citizens Supernovas stage side.

KIDS visited the pan camp at the Supernovas panyard in Surrey Village, Lopinot, on August 15, where Krystle Julien – Supernovas Youth Steel Orchestra co-manager and public relations officer; Pearl Gransam – co-manager/secretary and instructor Derriann Dyett were going through pan history, music theory, performance and technique with the campers.

Kimora Lopez, seven, poses for the camera at the Supernovas pan camp. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

The camp runs from August 12 to 23.

There are 32 participants between the ages of seven and 18.

Julien said the camp is more reasonably priced than other similar camps since the band holds fundraisers throughout the year to supplement the cost.

She said they usually try to include at least one child who can’t afford the fees.

“This year’s camp welcomed two differently-abled children who are adapting well,” she said.

Among the participants are Tunapuna siblings Antonia Paul, 18; Jalicia Beckes, 13; and Joshua Beckles, 12.

Antonia said Jalicia and Joshua didn’t want to come to camp but are now enjoying it.

Mikhel Lewis, who they all called “Babes,” from Pinto, Arima, stays with his grandmother in Trincity to attend pan camp,

For the nine-year-old, life is all about pan.

His favourite song to perform is Long Live Soca by Voice (Aaron St Louis).

Derriann Dyett, second right, is the music instructor at the pan camp. At right is 12-year-old UK resident Samuel McDonald. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

Mikhel said the first song he played on the pan was Happy Birthday.

He keeps a record of his pan camp adventures on his Instagram account with posts like: “Pan Camp was fire today,” and “I going pan camp tomorrow.”

Asked what else he likes to do, Mikhel said he only likes pan.

Mikel Lewis, nine, pauses to smile for the Newsday camera while learning to play DNA by Mical Teja at the Supernovas pan camp at the band’s Surrey Village, Lopinot, panyard on August 15. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

“I love pan,” he added.

Twelve-year-old twins Lucia and Samuel McDonald who are visiting TT from the UK attended the the camp last week.

Their parents Linda and Ian McDonald spent their days at the panyard while the kids attended the camp from 9 am to 2 pm.

Linda said, “What they learn here in one week is the equivalent of one term.”

Linda says pan performances are popping up everywhere in the UK.

She said pan is part of the school curriculum in the part of Manchester where they reside.

Samuel, she said, will perform at his school in October when they celebrate Black History Month in the UK.

Guest speakers and a field trip to the Carnival Museum and Agri Expo, which started in the Queen’s Park Savannah on August 16, are planned.

 

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