Teaching and Performing in Fidel's Backyard
I have had the opportunity to live on the US Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for almost two years with my family. Most musicians would think this to be music career suicide. Most may be right. However, I have gained more students and unique performing experiences than I ever had in the States. The following is a brief description of those experiences.
When my husband first started working for the US government we moved to Massachusetts from Jacksonville, FL (click here for that story). The hardest part about that move, aside from the change in climate, was building a new network of musicians. Little did I know that experience wasn't so hard after all compared to moving to one of the most isolated places in the world, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (a.k.a. GTMO).
Some musicians wish for the chance to live in an area with no competition, students beating down their door for lessons, and gigs galore. GTMO turned out to be like that in some respects. I started out as an Adjunct Professor for Columbia College teaching Music Appreciation. I had a class of ten students, active duty and civilian, unaware of the volume of information I was about to throw at them for the next eight weeks. Not only did these students rise to the challenge of what the class had to offer, but I got a closer look at how young (early 20's) active duty members struggle with managing their military career with school. By the end of the class they were able to analyze pieces from their own music libraries and share them through oral presentations. I am proud to say one student confessed to me that I inspired her to go into teaching. How humbling.
Because of the small population on base, the college was not able to offer a Music Appreciation class every semester, so I opened my schedule to private flute and piano students. One of the most wonderful, and sometimes annoying, things about GTMO is that word travels fast! Within an hour of announcing openings for students, I received phone calls from interested prospects. I was overwhelmed at the hunger for music instruction. Within a year I had grown my "studio" to approximately 30 students whose ages range from 6 to 56. I also added two Music Theory classes to my schedule, as well.
I have never worked with a more diverse group of students in both character and learning ability. I had one active duty adult student who worked in the detainee camps everyday. I'll call him "Robert." Contrary to popular belief, the camps are completely removed from the residential area of the base and off limits to anyone who does not have proper access and reason to be there. Robert was a beginning piano student and eager to reach his goal of playing a favorite Stevie Wonder song for his wife back home in the States. We spent several months working through a traditional adult piano method with great success. What was most memorable for me was how the tension from his job carried over into our lesson time. His posture at the piano was quite rigid, and he demanded so much of himself during his lesson. He had a very positive attitude, however, and I encouraged him to give himself permission to make mistakes. I have found this particular physical approach to the piano to be common among the male active duty students I have taught. What is even more fascinating is witnessing the moment when the musical concepts and the technique collide into an explosion of understanding. I have another male active duty student who reached this moment in a lesson, and the smile on his face completely made my day. Robert has since moved on from GTMO, but I am happy to say that the other student I mentioned will be performing in my upcoming student recital in November.
In addition to private teaching, I started directing the music ministry for the Protestant service on Sundays. The praise team personnel is always changing since no one stays in GTMO forever. It is very frustrating sometimes. Through the chapel I have performed (on flute) for both a wedding and a funeral which are rare events here. Most recently I have acquired a Youth Choir, and we are preparing music for the Christmas program in December.
This year I have organized two student recitals (another GTMO rarity) and performed for the Three Kings festival in January 2012. It was my privilege to perform Libertango by Astor Piazzolla for the elderly Cuban residents who have been living on base since the 1960's.
It is satisfying to know that my talents are needed, but also discouraging that there aren't more professional musicians around me to push me to be better. I have auditioned for a couple of competitions while living in GTMO just to stay on top of my game, and continue to practice repertoire for a CD I would like to record once we move on. We recently received word that our next destination will be Sasebo, Japan! Please stay tuned for my adventures in the Far East. MPV
To read more about life in GTMO, click here. To read more about life in Sasebo, Japan, click here.
When my husband first started working for the US government we moved to Massachusetts from Jacksonville, FL (click here for that story). The hardest part about that move, aside from the change in climate, was building a new network of musicians. Little did I know that experience wasn't so hard after all compared to moving to one of the most isolated places in the world, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (a.k.a. GTMO).
Some musicians wish for the chance to live in an area with no competition, students beating down their door for lessons, and gigs galore. GTMO turned out to be like that in some respects. I started out as an Adjunct Professor for Columbia College teaching Music Appreciation. I had a class of ten students, active duty and civilian, unaware of the volume of information I was about to throw at them for the next eight weeks. Not only did these students rise to the challenge of what the class had to offer, but I got a closer look at how young (early 20's) active duty members struggle with managing their military career with school. By the end of the class they were able to analyze pieces from their own music libraries and share them through oral presentations. I am proud to say one student confessed to me that I inspired her to go into teaching. How humbling.
Because of the small population on base, the college was not able to offer a Music Appreciation class every semester, so I opened my schedule to private flute and piano students. One of the most wonderful, and sometimes annoying, things about GTMO is that word travels fast! Within an hour of announcing openings for students, I received phone calls from interested prospects. I was overwhelmed at the hunger for music instruction. Within a year I had grown my "studio" to approximately 30 students whose ages range from 6 to 56. I also added two Music Theory classes to my schedule, as well.
I have never worked with a more diverse group of students in both character and learning ability. I had one active duty adult student who worked in the detainee camps everyday. I'll call him "Robert." Contrary to popular belief, the camps are completely removed from the residential area of the base and off limits to anyone who does not have proper access and reason to be there. Robert was a beginning piano student and eager to reach his goal of playing a favorite Stevie Wonder song for his wife back home in the States. We spent several months working through a traditional adult piano method with great success. What was most memorable for me was how the tension from his job carried over into our lesson time. His posture at the piano was quite rigid, and he demanded so much of himself during his lesson. He had a very positive attitude, however, and I encouraged him to give himself permission to make mistakes. I have found this particular physical approach to the piano to be common among the male active duty students I have taught. What is even more fascinating is witnessing the moment when the musical concepts and the technique collide into an explosion of understanding. I have another male active duty student who reached this moment in a lesson, and the smile on his face completely made my day. Robert has since moved on from GTMO, but I am happy to say that the other student I mentioned will be performing in my upcoming student recital in November.
In addition to private teaching, I started directing the music ministry for the Protestant service on Sundays. The praise team personnel is always changing since no one stays in GTMO forever. It is very frustrating sometimes. Through the chapel I have performed (on flute) for both a wedding and a funeral which are rare events here. Most recently I have acquired a Youth Choir, and we are preparing music for the Christmas program in December.
This year I have organized two student recitals (another GTMO rarity) and performed for the Three Kings festival in January 2012. It was my privilege to perform Libertango by Astor Piazzolla for the elderly Cuban residents who have been living on base since the 1960's.
It is satisfying to know that my talents are needed, but also discouraging that there aren't more professional musicians around me to push me to be better. I have auditioned for a couple of competitions while living in GTMO just to stay on top of my game, and continue to practice repertoire for a CD I would like to record once we move on. We recently received word that our next destination will be Sasebo, Japan! Please stay tuned for my adventures in the Far East. MPV
To read more about life in GTMO, click here. To read more about life in Sasebo, Japan, click here.
