A review of Alex ZaphiropoulosI
I attended the Paros Jazz Academy in the summer of 2011, the first time the camp was held. I had meant to write a review of my time there a while ago but I figured it was better late than never, considering now is the time when people are likely starting to make their summer plans.
I’ve attended a few music camps since I started taking music relatively seriously, and there are normally a few main areas I think about when I look back on my time there: the instructors, the courses offered, how busy an average day was, what I got out of it, etc. Rarely, however, does the setting and location play a big part in it, considering they normally tookplace at schools, or community centres; Fine locations, more than adequate, but nothing special.
The same couldn’t be said for the Paros academy though. The classes took place in the mountain village of Lefkes, a traditional village located inland, with amazing views of the sea. The village itself was a great place for the camp with its relaxed atmosphere, convenience stores nearby if you needed a bottle of water or a quick snack, and great restaurants. The lessons were either in or near Lefkes’ small school, close to the top of the village (there were great views of the rest of the village below as well as the village’s church on its own little hill).
The saxophone masterclasses I took part in were held in a small outdoor amphitheater, right next to the school, and I can honestly say that very little compares to having a masterclass outdoors on a Greek island, first thing in the morning. To be able to learn in an outdoor setting like that, under the trees and before it got too warm in the afternoon sun, was a very refreshing from camps such as this one. Sure, you can gain so much just from listening to recordings or watching live performances, but to able to spend time with professionals like those at the camp on a daily basis for a week, playing with them, hearing what they have to say, will add so much to your playing, or your understanding of jazz and music in general.
I also have to say that those who ran the academy while I was there along with everyone else who kept it going, did an amazing job while I was there. It is not easy running a camp like that, with people from all over Europe and America, but they certainly pulled it off. They were always there when we had questions, or needed a hand with something, or if we needed a ride to the classes or performances. They organized all the meals, all our transportation, I really had nothing to worry about the entire time I spent at the camp.
I have so much more I could talk about, but for the sake of not talking too much, Ill end here. If anyone has any questions about my time at the academy, feel free to send me a message at alexzap918@yahoo.ca .
As a final note, I would really like to encourage anyone who will be in or near Greece this summer to check the camp out. The experience, the friends you’ll make, the location, it’s all definitely worth it. I myself am not sure if I’ll be attending this summer, just because I don’t know what my plans are or how I could fit it in.
I attended the Paros Jazz Academy in the summer of 2011, the first time the camp was held. I had meant to write a review of my time there a while ago but I figured it was better late than never, considering now is the time when people are likely starting to make their summer plans.
I’ve attended a few music camps since I started taking music relatively seriously, and there are normally a few main areas I think about when I look back on my time there: the instructors, the courses offered, how busy an average day was, what I got out of it, etc. Rarely, however, does the setting and location play a big part in it, considering they normally tookplace at schools, or community centres; Fine locations, more than adequate, but nothing special.
The same couldn’t be said for the Paros academy though. The classes took place in the mountain village of Lefkes, a traditional village located inland, with amazing views of the sea. The village itself was a great place for the camp with its relaxed atmosphere, convenience stores nearby if you needed a bottle of water or a quick snack, and great restaurants. The lessons were either in or near Lefkes’ small school, close to the top of the village (there were great views of the rest of the village below as well as the village’s church on its own little hill).
The saxophone masterclasses I took part in were held in a small outdoor amphitheater, right next to the school, and I can honestly say that very little compares to having a masterclass outdoors on a Greek island, first thing in the morning. To be able to learn in an outdoor setting like that, under the trees and before it got too warm in the afternoon sun, was a very refreshing from camps such as this one. Sure, you can gain so much just from listening to recordings or watching live performances, but to able to spend time with professionals like those at the camp on a daily basis for a week, playing with them, hearing what they have to say, will add so much to your playing, or your understanding of jazz and music in general.
I also have to say that those who ran the academy while I was there along with everyone else who kept it going, did an amazing job while I was there. It is not easy running a camp like that, with people from all over Europe and America, but they certainly pulled it off. They were always there when we had questions, or needed a hand with something, or if we needed a ride to the classes or performances. They organized all the meals, all our transportation, I really had nothing to worry about the entire time I spent at the camp.
I have so much more I could talk about, but for the sake of not talking too much, Ill end here. If anyone has any questions about my time at the academy, feel free to send me a message at alexzap918@yahoo.ca .
As a final note, I would really like to encourage anyone who will be in or near Greece this summer to check the camp out. The experience, the friends you’ll make, the location, it’s all definitely worth it. I myself am not sure if I’ll be attending this summer, just because I don’t know what my plans are or how I could fit it in.
