An organizer of an upcoming three-day musical workshop and concert is hoping to inspire residents of the Harbour City with the heart and soul of gospel music.
The Amazing Gospel Experience Workshop takes place from Thursday (Feb. 19) until Saturday and includes a celebration concert on Sunday afternoon at Trinity United Church.
According to organizer and Nanaimo music instructor Tamara Lea, the workshop will provide singers of all ages and experiences with the unique opportunity to learn from two respected gospel performers from the United States.
“For someone to get this experience they would actually have to travel down south,” Lea said. “There are people in the business who arrange gospel workshops for you to go down to the south because not a lot of people are going to take the risk to bring somebody up here.”
The workshop will be led by North Carolinian musicians Kim Pacheco and Markus Temoney. Pacheco has performed internationally as a jazz and gospel singer while Temoney is the minister of music at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Wilmington, N.C.
Although Pacheco has taught workshops on Vancouver Island before, Lea said it is still rare for gospel singers from the southern United States to come to Vancouver Island.
“We don’t have the opportunity on Vancouver Island to sing in gospel choirs for various reasons,” Lea said. “If you go to Vancouver you might find a couple, but as far as gospel music done traditionally, you’re not going to find it in Nanaimo.”
While there are religious elements to gospel music, Lea said that the workshop is not religiously focused and is open to everyone and is intended to inspire.
“This workshop is not a religious workshop, but we are singing music that is enlightening and it is spiritual and it can move people and gets people on their feet,” she said. “It is amazing music. Most people can’t listen to it without feeling happy.”
The Amazing Gospel Experience Workshop and runs from Feb. 19 until Feb. 22 at Trinity United Church, 6234 Spartan Rd.
The workshop costs $150 per person, however for alternative prices can be arranged for those who cannot afford the full cost.
For more information, including workshop times and registration, please visit www.tamaraleamusic.com, call 250-713-1812 or e-mail info@tamaraleamusic.com.
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