Forum for Storytelling

By Jordan Baker Music Teacher, SD73 I realized working with students at KISSM was one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done in my life. I returned each year, not only because it was fun, but because I could see just how much impact I had on the kids. KISSM changed my life. At the time I was

I went to KISSM as a campter for 8 years, and have come through with an improved ability to trust others. It was great to work hard with other campers to prepare for performances, so much so that no single moment stands out. The bonds made from having gone through a lot with people tend to be much s

This will be my 9th year as a student at KISSM and I love how many different classes I have gotten to do as well as how much it has grown. Maybe one day I'll become a mentor/teacher? ;)

From 2007 to 2014 I attended KISSM as a student, participating in string ensembles, bands, Jazz bands, and drumline. My experience as a student was fantastic! Over the years I made many lifelong friends, greatly improve my musicianship, and most importantly, had a whole lot of fun. In 2015, I was h

I have been fortunate enough to be involved with KISSM for the past four years as both a camp musician and mentor, and these four years have been an excellent opportunity for me to not only improve my musical ability while I was a student, but also acted a learning platform from the musical communit

By Bailey Finlay Bachelor of Music, University of Victoria My name is Bailey and I recently graduated from the University of Victoria with my Bachelor of Music. I grew up in Kamloops and started my musical journey studying with Cathy Dochstader and Kathleen Bogas, and attending KISSM. I was able t

Three of us were on a Canada Works Grant to work in the schools and play in the Symphony for most of 1979. For the summer we had the music camp. We had it at Cariboo College with about 40-60 students. I do remember the chef training program was going and every day we got a gourmet feast for lunch!

In 1989, I attended KISSM for the first time, selecting the flute as my instrument of choice. I was 6 years old - barely: my arms were barely long enough to hold the flute in place, and it took me WEEKS to create even the slightest, breathiest tone. Nevertheless, a firm foundation was laid. I fel

I first attended KISSM in 2004 as a 14 year old taking the guitar program with Mike Turner and Tina Hebner. The experience opened my eyes to a whole new world of musical possibilities and a new love; my future wife Amanda. She had been attending KISSM for a few years already as a singer and a membe

I attended KISSM for 5 years as a camper and am returning this July for my third year as a mentor on staff. From the beginning KISSM was always exciting to me because I was able to explore all of my different musical interests; piano, violin and musical theatre. I grew so much as an artist because o

I attended KISSM for seven years and met so many amazing people. I looked forward each year to seeing my summer friends who came came from near and far. KISSM allowed me to meet people outside my school circle. In my sixth year at camp I met a red-head boy from Revelstoke; 14 years later we got marr

By Mandy Maher, KISSM student. This summer will be my 5th, possibly 6th year at KISSM. Before I had gone, I used to spend my summers practically begging to go back to school because I was so bored! I didn't really have a lot of friends that were into the stuff I was into, so my summers were spent wi

As a KISSM musician during my four years of high school, I entered into a community of extremely talented, passionate, hard working, and amazing students and leaders. I remember fondly my first year at KISSM, as it placed me amidst a group of people who loved music just as much as me, and were being

Starting about 32 years ago, my younger brothers and I, all attended KISSM. As students of Steve Powrie's band it was a given you attended summer camp. I think he inspired all of us to attend KISSM. My favorite memory was when we convinced some of the teachers to come back to our house for a pool pa

By Lucas O’Fee Masters Student, UBC Overall, I can’t say enough about the service that KISSM provides to the music education community in BC. The summers I spent at Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music (KISSM) were incredibly valuable to my development as a young musician. I am currently compl

Just a few of the fond memories I have: · The tireless work by Cliff Noakes and Wilf Froese to keep KISSM afloat in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They continued to work quietly in the background for most of the next two decades. · KISSM Faculty tricks Concerts—See picture of Mozart's "Twinkle,

I have been fortunate to have been working and teaching at KISSM for the past couple years. As a graduating student from the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, KISSM has allowed me to better myself as a teacher and musician and also, and most importantly, gave me the opportunity to work alongsi

By Dr. Michelle Cheramy, Flutist Professor of Music, Memorial University, St. John’s, NFLD I remember well my first experience of the Kamloops Interior Summer School of Music: it was about 1984, the camp that year was being held on the campus of what was then Cariboo College (now Thompson Rivers U