CAF helps youngsters love music

Hundreds of people took pleasure in some fantastic musical performances over the past couple of weeks as the annual Cayman Arts Festival programme brought classical, jazz, and even big brass band music to the Cayman Islands in fine style. Audiences heard a beautiful cello and violin recital from sisters Kristine and Margarita Balanas and some magnificent tunes from the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, as well as some amazing performances by the Cayman Arts Festival’s Artistic Director Glen Inanga, who performed Cuban classical music on the piano along with Cuban musicians Antonio Alvarez Sanchez on cello and Yoan Tamayo Garcia on violin. The Lana Janjanin Trio brought the festival to a close with their own European take on jazz music. But there is another side to the Cayman Arts Festival which might not see the limelight as much as these fantastic international acts, but none-the-less serves a vital purpose for these islands – the encouragement of young people to love music. Cayman Arts Festival’s young cellists were able to open the cello and violin recital – the first time this group of 8 to ten-year olds have performed on stage. The gathering of no doubt family and friends who watched the amazing John Gray High School Soul Septet perform were wowed by the skill of these young year 8 performers as they belted out soul classics as if they were twice their age. Little kindergartners were treated to a special musical session of their own as Glen Inanga helped them appreciate some children’s classics on the piano, being sung and on the cello. Then there were a series of master classes where students could learn from the talents of the main performers, who went to play at their schools and share their knowledge with youngsters. The Jubilate/CAF performance by children who attend the Cayman Arts Festival’s afterschool programme showcased all that they have learnt. With its year-round afterschool programmes, the Cayman Arts Festival is so much more than an annual musical event and is a fantastic organisation which we encourage the entire community to support.