Another year, another fantastic DIY Guitar Camp! Under the guidance of Matua Curtis, Matua Clay, and Mr Bolley, we saw 16 wonderful students design, paint, and assemble their very own electric guitars. Using spray paint to acrylics, vinyl cutter to stickers, our students crafted a range of bold guitars that would even make Eddie Van Halen blush!
On top of our core guitar program, some of our students helped upcycle some ukuleles to be donated to Motautaiko Best Start, a kindergarten looking to build their own music program. Thanks to the amazing mahi of year 11 Guitar Camp alumni Rebecca Herbert, a dozen unique designs were put onto these instruments. On top of that, we had local author and artist Donovan Bixely attend and paint a ukulele. His presence was an amazing opportunity for our campers. On the final day of camp, campers and staff hand delivered the ukuleles to Best Start and the students were obsessed with all the designs--but I think Spiderman was the favourite of the day! As a sign of gratitude, the Best Start class performed their favourite waiata Tohorā nui! This was such a wonderful chance to give back to future young musicians!
Overall, this week saw 16 students use their resilience, patience, and creativity to achieve their projects. Showing wero, manaakitanga, and whakapono, these students have done themselves, whanau and kura proud. We look forward to seeing those guitars light up the stage or fill their new homes with amazing music!
