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Young VI musician Thea Cooke shines at US bass camp

- Credits her outstanding performance in theoretical sessions to ESHS
Elmore Stoutt High School Student Thea Cooke is excited about the new school year as she is eager to share her summer break experience with teachers and peers. She attend a life changing bass camp in Tennessee, USA for three weeks where she learned new and exciting things in the field of music. Photo: VINO
Thea did not stick to the playing of the bass guitar but was very active playing the drums and even sang during the camp. Photo: Provided
Thea did not stick to the playing of the bass guitar but was very active playing the drums and even sang during the camp. Photo: Provided
Thea Cooke with renowned music instructor Victor Wooten, who she said made sure that her weak areas were worked on and strengthened. Photo: Provided
Thea Cooke with renowned music instructor Victor Wooten, who she said made sure that her weak areas were worked on and strengthened. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Young Virgin Islands musician and student of the Elmore Stoutt High School, Thea Cooke has returned from her 3-week stint at a bass guitar camp in Tennessee, USA full of new knowledge, enthusiasm and courage.

The camp experience brought out a side of the budding musician that she never new she possessed. Besides playing the bass guitar, Thea was on stage drumming and most surprisingly singing on a stage before hundreds of persons. “I surprised myself with that part. I don’t even know if anyone can get me to sing again,” Cooke told Virgin Islands News Online in an exclusive interview on August 21, 2013.

She also had much praise for her music teachers over the years at Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) as she was on the top of her group throughout the three weeks especially when it came to the theoretical sessions. “When it came to the theory part of the classes, I was ahead thanks to Elmore Stoutt High School. Practically, I did learn a lot, more than I thought I would have.”

“The trip was a good trip, it was more than I expected, it was really a good lifetime experience,” she told this news site a day after returning to the VI. The ESHS student said she could not wait for the reopening of school to share her experience with her music teacher and her peers.

Being given the opportunity to attend the Victor Wooten Bass Camp in Tennessee, USA, Thea thought it was all about playing the guitar but little did she know it was so much more. “I learned a lot. It was not only a bass camp it was a bass/nature camp. We did mostly bass but we did nature also where we learnt how to survive in the wild, build houses and things of that sort,” she said.

During her fourth form year at the ESHS, Thea was learning how to play different songs and the camp proved beneficial as it focused on teaching her how to play solo. “When I went to the camp I learned how to solo, how to make stuff easier, how to find a baseline for a song without stressing on what note this song is, what key this song is, he (instructor) just show us the easy way to get around in that aspect,” Thea said.

She said what was most notable was the fact that despite there being a large group of youth attending the camp; she was still able to get individual attention especially when it came to strengthening her weak areas. “Sometimes he would go around and ask you what you feel you weak in so that he can help you with. I was weak in solo when I left now I am not. I can safely say that with confidence because he took timeout with us and ensured that we built on that. He never left you until he was convinced that you had mastered your weakness.”

“Most times people would ask me, I hear you is this big bass player come play something for me and I would find every excuse in the world to give to them but now that I went and he was like solo isn’t always about getting it right it was just about having fun, having a feel to the different types of music, I feel if someone asks me now I will give it to them without fear,” she added.

She said her experience at the camp taught her the different side of music. “It made me think of music as not something to get correct, not something that you always have to be right at but just to approach it with an open mind and have fun with it and when you do that you get it right because that’s what music is all about, something to have fun with.”

Coming to the closure was the big concert where each group had to put together a performance for the big stage closing out concert. It was then that Thea Cooke said she surprised herself the most as for a very small part she played the bass. Her parts to play were the drums and being a key vocal for her group.

The life changing experience for young Thea Cooke was made possible firstly by the Bayside Rhythm group headed by Mr Wasi Philbert, along with Kamau Georges and Dalan Vanterpool. The group had brought Divinity Roxx for one of their concerts on June 8, 2013. Divinity was given the opportunity to interact with music students at the ESHS where she met Thea and their relationship blossomed as she had learnt that Thea had her as her hero.

Thea was given the opportunity to break out in her career dream by playing on open stage at the concert and it all moved on from there. Being inspired by Thea, Divinity introduced Bayside Rhythm to Victor Wooten’s ‘Vix Camp’ held annually by Victor Wooten as it had played a key role in her advancing to the stage she is today.

With the road being paved by Divinity and Bayside Rhythms, a number of stakeholders stepped in to ensure that her participation was realized. They included the Department of Education through Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn and Fifth District Representative, Honourable Delores Christopher.

Divinity Roxx, during a telephone conversation with Virgin Islands News Online yesterday August 21, 2013 said she could not find the right words to say how happy and impressed she was by Thea’s performance at the camp. “I called her regularly while she was there to make sure that she was ok, to find out how she was doing and I am so happy. She is my inspiration and there are great things in store for her,” said Divinity.

She said she was away on tour, which resulted in her not being able to link physically with Thea but said they are now more than a hero to one or an inspiration to the other, but they are now best friends. These were the very sentiments expressed by Thea when she spoke with Virgin Islands News Online.

Mr Wasi Philbert also said he was very pleased to have played a part in the initiative for Thea Cooke, especially with her being a young humble budding musician of the VI. He said Bayside Rhythms would continue to positively impact the lives of person in whatever way it can.

Thea expressed gratitude to all who played a role in her experience, including Hon. Walwyn and Hon. Christopher, her mother, her close friends Candice and Johanna, Kamau Georges and Dalan Vanterpool, the “soft ball crew”, and her music teacher, Mr Brandon Powell.

7 Responses to “Young VI musician Thea Cooke shines at US bass camp”

  • Liat 521 (22/08/2013, 14:46) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    what a beautiful piece god bless you thea and vino
  • GREAT!! (22/08/2013, 14:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see great things ahead for you Thea, just stay positive and encourage other youths on the right part....everyone on this earth has potential to be great!!
  • mandown (22/08/2013, 15:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    seems like a great experience
  • jj (22/08/2013, 16:02) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    VERY HAPPY FOR U THEA .PLEASE PUT WHAT U HAVE LEARNED TO PRATICE
  • mother hen (22/08/2013, 17:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks for shearing this with us Ms. Cooke
  • BVI Splash (22/08/2013, 19:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep up the good work. Well done Cooke
  • Family Farm (22/08/2013, 23:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep up the good works tt... we are very proud & happy for u..luv u...


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