Master classes were conducted by music educators who are also pro musicians.
The simply amazing Matt Smith. A walking music university, no less! With him is Murali Coreyell.
The class soaks it all up.
People then get the chance for an impromptu performance.
Faculty (Murali Coryell, in this case) sometimes help out in the impromptu gigs.
This was the first time this girl (Danielle) performed, and blew everyone away!
The guy playing guitar is Denny Hall, a former Air Force and Navy pilot, now flying with American Airlines.
This is Elio from Italy, playing guitar on an AC/DC song. Luckily he had Matt Smith to sing it!
Despite this being his first time performing, Elio gave it his all and got the attention of his peers!
This is soundman Brian using unorthodox techniques to increase volume and projection!
People also got their chances on the big stage in a daily concert ritual.
Some kids were quite multi-talented. The guy playing harmonica also plays guitar and drums.
I got my chance too. Murali helped out in the singing department and was a great coach on how to perform on-stage.
Our song went down quite well with the crowd, especially considering that this was really the first time we were playing together!
One of the "surprises" was an all-girl band. That's workshop director Amanda in the foreground, herself an accomplished musician.
We spent one day with Buddy Guy during which we got to understand what the Blues was all about.
The history of Blues music closely parallels the history of the African American community in the US. It was a fascinating lesson.
Buddy hung out with the class, happily posing for pictures and signing stuff.
I had him autograph my T-shirt! I'm surveying the stage where I will have to get up and perform soon.
A collection of vintage gear to choose from!
Even found a vintage Gibson amp!
I played a Les Paul Goldtop through the vintage Gibson amp.
Buddy kindly shared some tips after the performance.
For the kids, this was a chance of a lifetime!
And they really went for it! This guy is doing the Muddy Water's tune "Got My Mojo Workin'".
And this guy did Buddy's own tune "Damn Right I Got the Blues" in Buddy's style!
Murali Coryell, son of jazz great Larry Coreyell, and extraordinary musician. We went Blues bar-hopping together where he often sat in!
You can get a year's worth of music school hanging out with Matt Smith for 15 minutes. No kidding!
Even our soundman Brian is an accomplished guitarist! He's playing the Goldtop through my Laney amp.
This was an ensemble performance by the "junior" classes wherein their instructor directed their performance.
Here's another "core class" ensemble, with their instructor gesturing too fast for the camera!
