A review of Alex Zaphiropoulos
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’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,
Tom Neale - Saxophone student
Thank you for such a great experience at Paros, I will never forget the atmosphere. I have come away with a deeper concept of music and life and have made many new friends from around the globe.
Thanks again.
Tom
Vivian Volsk - Vocal student
It was a perfect week with all of you!! Wonderful Paros, wonderful music and especially wonderful people!
Thank you all and hope to see you again soon.
Much love,
Vivien Wolsk
Martine Courbet - Vocal student
Hi everybody “un coucou à tous” to tell you how much I enjoyed the Paros Jazz Academy and appreciate all your company. Many thanks to Sara, Alexandra, Marc, Joe, Vincent for their wonderful concerts “under the stars”, and to all of you for jam and last concert full of jazz love!
A special thanks to Joe Q for Qi Qong time, I felt inspired !
I hope to see you soon again,
Have a nice summer,
lot of kisses,
Martine
Sandra Toumson - Vocal student
Athena,Thank you very much for your kindness during the jazz workshop. It was very nice to meet you and Paros !
Long life to the Paros Jazz Academy.
Très cordialement
Sandra
Alexandra Grimal - Saxophone tutor
Dear Athena,
Thank you so much for everything. I had a wonderful time, and I wished I could have stayed in Paros longer!
Alexandra
Ove Mjatveit - Bass student
Dear Athena,
Thank you again for a really nice experience at Paros!
kind regards.
Ove
Vilma Douvara - Vocal student
Hey everybody!!!! Thank you for the greatest time, the wonderful people, all the fun and the music and definitely “all” the things I've learned……..I still have some videos in store…..which I ll send you soon. Athena…….special thanks to you!!!!!
Miss you all,
Vilma
Christian Negro - Chromatic harmonica student
Ciao a tutti.
I would like to thank the teachers, but also all of you that with your kind interest and your passion gave me the possibility to learn from each something more in “music concept”.
Good bye and see you soon.
Christian
Melody and Ian Mc Laren – Piano and bass students
Hello, Joe – thanks for the great music and friendship – and also the Qi Gong instruction, which we liked very much
Many thanks! We are looking forward to seeing you again next year.
Best wishes,
Melody and Ian McLaren
Joe Quitzke – Drums tutor & Qi Gong instructor
Hello, bonjour all of you,
I hope you’re felling well, I had a very rich and beautiful time in Paros,thank you. Good luck
Joe Q
Thank you for such a great experience at Paros, I will never forget the atmosphere. I have come away with a deeper concept of music and life and have made many new friends from around the globe.
Thanks again.
Tom
Vivian Volsk - Vocal student
It was a perfect week with all of you!! Wonderful Paros, wonderful music and especially wonderful people!
Thank you all and hope to see you again soon.
Much love,
Vivien Wolsk
Martine Courbet - Vocal student
Hi everybody “un coucou à tous” to tell you how much I enjoyed the Paros Jazz Academy and appreciate all your company. Many thanks to Sara, Alexandra, Marc, Joe, Vincent for their wonderful concerts “under the stars”, and to all of you for jam and last concert full of jazz love!
A special thanks to Joe Q for Qi Qong time, I felt inspired !
I hope to see you soon again,
Have a nice summer,
lot of kisses,
Martine
Sandra Toumson - Vocal student
Athena,Thank you very much for your kindness during the jazz workshop. It was very nice to meet you and Paros !
Long life to the Paros Jazz Academy.
Très cordialement
Sandra
Alexandra Grimal - Saxophone tutor
Dear Athena,
Thank you so much for everything. I had a wonderful time, and I wished I could have stayed in Paros longer!
Alexandra
Ove Mjatveit - Bass student
Dear Athena,
Thank you again for a really nice experience at Paros!
kind regards.
Ove
Vilma Douvara - Vocal student
Hey everybody!!!! Thank you for the greatest time, the wonderful people, all the fun and the music and definitely “all” the things I've learned……..I still have some videos in store…..which I ll send you soon. Athena…….special thanks to you!!!!!
Miss you all,
Vilma
Christian Negro - Chromatic harmonica student
Ciao a tutti.
I would like to thank the teachers, but also all of you that with your kind interest and your passion gave me the possibility to learn from each something more in “music concept”.
Good bye and see you soon.
Christian
Melody and Ian Mc Laren – Piano and bass students
Hello, Joe – thanks for the great music and friendship – and also the Qi Gong instruction, which we liked very much
Many thanks! We are looking forward to seeing you again next year.
Best wishes,
Melody and Ian McLaren
Joe Quitzke – Drums tutor & Qi Gong instructor
Hello, bonjour all of you,
I hope you’re felling well, I had a very rich and beautiful time in Paros,thank you. Good luck
Joe Q