Big Lake Elementary holds music workshop for arts week

A popular artist from Williams Lake is continuing to inspire future generations through music.

Singer and songwriter LeRae Haynes has been playing music with children of all ages for four decades. She recently participated in Big Lake Elementary School’s Fine Arts Week by holding a music workshop with the students.

Haynes has done workshops at the school in the past and was delighted to be invited once again, saying she has always enjoyed the kids, staff and community.

She held a couple of sessions throughout the week for kindergarten to grade three students and a couple for grade four to seven students as well. The kids then had their own moment in the spotlight, as they performed together with Haynes at a concert in front of teachers and parents, wrapping up the music portion of their week-long fine art activities.

“I taught the kids songs on the ukulele and did a song-writing project with the older class as well,” she explained.

The younger class learned a “hilarious” song which included actions and dancing, in addition to the ukulele tune, while the older class learned a ukulele reggae number and helped co-write an original song entitled The Flip Side of Life which they performed at the concert.

“They’re so proud of it,” Haynes said. “What a delightful bunch of kids.”

Haynes has shared her passion and excitement with tots, teens and adults over the years, and feels lucky to have met and performed with so many great people along the way.

“I have been fortunate all my life to get to play with wonderful musicians who are wonderful people,” she said.

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Haynes thanked Even Jensen and Shannon O’Donovan, who joined her at the workshop and concert as the backup band for the kids. She also thanked the whole community for their support in making the event a memorable one.

“Huge thanks go out to the teachers who were incredibly supportive, to the kids who jumped in with enthusiasm and talent, and to the parents who came to listen, to cheer and to encourage.” she said.

Big Lake Elementary also had a workshop with DancePl3y, which is a provider of literacy programs and trainings for recreation, fitness and educations. The students learned proper techniques and fundamental movement skills to create and perform collaborative dance activities that boost mental health, according to Big Lake principal Sari Small.

Other fine arts activities throughout the week included dramatizing fairy tales and beading lanyards. Big Lake wrapped up their Fine Arts Week with a celebration performance that showcased all the activities.

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