“Leading the Future”
Am I an artist?
23rd June to 7th July
An opportunity to be inspired about your creative potential with the incredible Bridge and Wolak duo
Make it
Bridge & Wolak are a globe-trotting musical duo from Canada who create life-affirming concerts full of beauty, virtuosity and humour.
Michael Bridge, accordion, and Kornel Wolak, clarinet (both also play piano), met over a decade ago and immediately established an artistic alliance based on the attraction of opposites: Wolak - intensely focussed with a world view infused with sardonic humour; Bridge- flexible and fearless with a playful wit.
What they have in common is a love of classical, jazz and world music, a fascination with fusing genres and a passion for performance. They play dozens of original shows every year, exploring everything from Bach to Benny Goodman and figure they’ve logged about 350,000 kilometres on the road - from Kraków to Quito, from Nancy, France to Fargo, ND - about the same distance as a trip to the moon.
Am I an artist?
Am I an artist? A unique duo of clarinet + digital accordion this camp guides students through a process of looking for evidence of their artistry… did you scribble down a drawing, did you record a video on your phone or take a beautiful picture, did you change your friend’s mind about a topic, did you perform for your family? Through action, they teach how to use the creative process to generate tangible impacts on the world and to change minds.
A two-week community programme consisting of:
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Half day and full day workshops for 500 children and young people in the Pau and Nouvelle Aquitaine region
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To support and inspire 100 parents to encourage their child’s artistic flair and interest in a career in the arts
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Students and workshop participants have the opportunity to share with the general public the learning from their workshops in a community performance on the Clos de Gaye estate, with estimated 2- 300 audience members
All ages workshops
Am I an artist?
● Guiding students through the process of artistic self-discovery
● Students look for and uncover evidence of their existing artistry
● Students also consider how their art impacts upon those around them
● Age: all
Putting Ideas on ‘Paper’
● An idea in the mind is not art….yet. Ideas have to be recorded. The power of artistic ideas increases when others can experience it.
● Through action, students learn how to use the creative process to generate tangible impacts on the world and to change minds.
● Introduction to assigning monetary value to an expression of art.
● Age: all
Non-verbal communication skills
An interactive workshop on conducting (leading) - with instrument, voice, and the body: generating support for your idea
Applicable to all professional real-time interactions across fields
(instruments optional)
Age: 12 +
Got Rhythm?
Teaching concepts of rhythm, structure, and musical expression through movement
Cultivating awareness of your surroundings through guided interactive rhythm exercises
Age: Al
Stage Presence and Production Value
We explain what elements of production lead to a ‘wow’ factor
Public speaking exercises (microphone technique practice, using projections)
Fashion, posture, and self-presentation
Turning any dry presentation topic into a storytelling narrative
Age: High-school +
Workshops for parents
Valuing Artist’s Time and Work
- Methodically assign value to components of the artists product
- Group exercise: collectively building an Excel spreadsheet that estimates the value of time and effort put into generating art
Supporting an Artistically-inclined Child
- Tips on maintaining motivation, career path options, and applying for universities
- How to turn your child’s hobby into a profitable career
All workshops can be given in both English and French
Countless research shows that participation and engagement in the arts, especially performing arts, is the very best way forward. With its proven ability to develop self-confidence, empathy, presentation skills, increase problem solving skills, and participants’ ability to take risks, it is the ideal way to develop bold, courageous, creative leaders.
Our summer camp programme is designed to not only give children, young people, and their families an extraordinary experience, but to invite them into leadership for a better world in their communities and the world at large.
We ask each camper to commit to a longer-term project where they contribute to making an impact when they go home and we follow up and support them in this journey.
When the show ends, what begins?
What children will get
By the end of camp, each participant will CREATE!
COLLABORATE with a diverse cohort that values partnership, respect, and empathy.
RESPOND to the needs of the group knowing their own needs will also be met.
ENGAGE in a process that enhances critical and creative thinking.
AWAKEN and share the unique artistic qualities inherent in each of us.
TRANSFORM challenges into opportunities with joy and hope.
EMPOWER themselves and each other knowing what they do impacts the world.
Watch Bridge and Wolak in action
Our camp leaders are all French BAFA-qualified* in compliance with French law, and are subject to a diligent screening process with criminal record checks. Additionally, the Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership has a rigorous safeguarding policy and procedures. Further details can be provided on request.
*The Brevet d'Aptitude aux Fonctions d'Animateur (BAFA) or, childcare aptitude certificate, is a qualification that is required by the French government. Under Youth and Sports regulation in France, a certain percentage of childcare workers in a summer camp must have this certificate.
What People Are Saying
I was quiet before, I didn’t talk much and I didn’t reach out to people. When I was home alone, I felt isolated. I didn’t communicate alot with my parents….we never talked deeply— [but] when we acted, the feeling was fantastic. We can be anyone that is different to ourselves and that is so great. We are closer than before, both friends and parents. The [facilitators] helped us both with the play, and with our lives
- Camp participants
Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to participate in the workshop. I have witnessed firsthand how it ignites creativity within participants and offers avenues for engaging and empowering others through art.
- US State Department
Thank you so much for yet another very wonderful workshop. It was beautiful and humbling and so very thought-provoking and I loved being amongst all of you. The work you do is bursting with goodness.
— Adult participant