Saturday, July 19th, 2008. Cordova, Alaska. My second year at the Cordova 4-H Music Camp was over, and it was bittersweet. On one hand, it was the end of a tough week of teaching, with three challenging, unpredictable banjo classes a day. Still, I really connected with some of the kids I met at the camp. We had a lot of fun together. I was missing them already.
(That picture was from a hike we took on Day 4 of the camp.)
So it was a pleasant surprise when some of the kids came to the restaurant that us instructors were playing at on Saturday night. I took a break from banjo for awhile and played with them at the pool table.
Jack, 11 years old, was one of about six kids at the bar. I recognized him but didn’t remember ever talking with him during camp, this year or last. As I was watching Katie (another 11-year-old with a great, strong voice) line up her shot, Jack turned to me and said:
- Jack: “I’ve always wanted to take one of your classes but [there was always a conflict and] I never could get in.â€Â
I was taken off guard. And frankly, very flattered.
- Luke: “I’ll probably be teaching banjo again next year. Would you like to learn banjo?â€Â
- Jack: “Yeah.â€Â
- Luke: “Do you play any banjo?â€Â
- Jack: “No, I don’t play… Well, actually, once I plucked a few of the strings, so I have some experience.â€Â
I smiled broadly. I sure look forward to seeing him, and all those kids, come this July. And maybe I’ll get to teach him banjo this year.
