Alvaro Rios is a student at Cooke Magnet Elementary School in Waukegan who plays the cello. He says the instrument is capable of taking him on journeys far away from his hometown.
As someone who has studied the cello for three years, both at school and with the assistance of Bravo Waukegan — a not-for-profit organization that helps support the music programs of Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 — Alvaro said some of the songs bring faraway lands to mind.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “It takes me to different places when I play. There’s one song that reminds me of Hawaii. I’ve never been there, but when I play the song I (imagine) pictures of Hawaii.”
Alvaro is one of 120 youngsters participating in Bravo Waukegan’s Bravo Buddies summer music camp, which operates in conjunction with summer school at John L. Lewis Middle School in Waukegan and offers lessons and field trips for the students.
Michael Rodriguez, the lead teacher for Bravo Buddies who teaches band at Robert Abbott Middle School during the school year, said students get two 45-minute lessons a week on their instrument of choice, and enrichment on Fridays which includes field trips.
“Last year, we had 93 students,” he said. “We’re growing. We have first graders through eighth graders.”
Enrichment on Fridays has a variety of forms. Rodriguez said they have gone to the Art Institute in Chicago, heard the Grant Park Symphony at the Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago and there was also an ice cream social. It ends with a recital.
With the number of instruments played by the campers, forming an orchestra or a band is not a problem. Jessica Linares, the camp director, said strings, woodwinds and brass are all represented.
Teachers — some are paid, and others are musicians who volunteer their time — instruct students on violin, viola, cello and bass. Linares said students are learning clarinet flute a variety of saxophones, trombone, tuba and French horn. They also do percussion.
Starting to take music lessons in first grade, Alvaro said the violin was suggested. He was uncertain, but said he liked the idea of playing a string instrument. The cello became his choice.
“I thought maybe the cello was something to try,” he said. “I wanted to play harmony with something, and the cello was it. I like the places music takes me.”
Teaching Alvaro was Ashly Diaz, a student at Waukegan High School’s Washington campus. She began playing cello as a third grader at Glen Flora Elementary School, and plays in the high school orchestra. She also has the ideal summer job.
“I love the engagement with the students and watching them grow,” Diaz said. “I love the energy they have. This is a great job for me.”
Diaz said she plans to continue with her music studies and make it a career, either playing her instrument for a living or teaching others how to play.
Another person enjoying her summer job is Linares, a senior at Carthage College in Kenosha as well as the camp director. She said she sees herself as a music teacher after graduation. A Waukegan public school product, she may come home to teach.
“That’s the plan,” she said.
Among Bravo Waukegan’s other objectives is helping the students buy their own instruments. Rodriguez said they have resources to find gently used instruments, which youngsters or their families can buy for a fraction of the cost of a new one.
“They usually don’t buy it until they are ready for a full-sized instrument,” Rodriguez said. “They have to grow into it”
