Tuesday marked the start of a strings workshop organised by the Venezuelan Embassy and the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA).
The two-week programme will provide 60 students from across the island with musical training in the violin, viola and cello.
Facilitating the workshop are music teachers from both Venezuela and Saint Lucia. The aim of the initiative is to develop students’ musical abilities while providing an avenue for creative expression and cultural exchange.
Leiff Escalona, ambassador of Venezuela to Saint Lucia, says the Venezuelan teachers are part of the National System of Orchestras of Venezuela, an organisation that has worked with children and groups around the world for more than 45 years.
“In the case of Saint Lucia, they wanted to bring them the best experience, because you have a lot of talent on this island,” said Escalona.
This is the Venezuelan Embassy’s third workshop of this kind. The initiative began last year with wind instruments and a choir. “But the idea is, in the future, we will complete the entire orchestra in Saint Lucia with the different children and musicians that you have already,” Escalona said.
The ambassador noted that support came from the ministries of education and tourism, and the SLHTA.
“The SLHTA is always very proud of our students, we’re always very proud of investing in our youth, and this was a phenomenal way to give back to our community,” said Tamara Amos, technical officer at the SLHTA’s Tourism Enhancement Fund.
“Now we’re in the Easter season… at least there’s something meaningful that will help [the students] develop emotionally and give them something they can have as a skill that they can depend on,” Amos added.
The workshop culminates on Thursday, April 24, with a graduation and special performance at the National Cultural Centre at 5:00 p.m.
Getting children involved in positive activities in their early age, keep them out of trouble in their later years.