On Friday, July 29th the Strauss Performing Arts Center hosted the culminating concert for the World Drumming Camp for Youth.   Music education alumni Judi Torneten and Kay Johnson founded the camp for students in grades 5-7.  The week-long camp was held at Jefferson Elementary where students learned African and Carribean drumming techniques. 

“It is wonderful to be able to support educational events like this”, said music education professor and Assistant Dean, Melissa Berke.  “One of our goals in the music education program is to instill the desire for continuous professional development.  Judi and Kay have been exemplars of this goal.  Between the two of them they have received certification in Kodaly, Orff, and World Drumming.” 

Beyond musical development, a secondary goal of the camp was to plant the seeds for future learning by including a tour of the campus. For many, it was the first time they had been on a college campus, but it made a big impression.   “See you in ten years!” one of the campers said as he left the building.

For more information about next year’s camp, please contact Judi Torneten at judi.torneten@ops.org