Reflections from the 2024 Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival

Hey Improvisers,

After teaching and performing in Alaska at The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival,  I’m writing this on the flight back to New York City. Wow – the two weeks flew by!

Here are a few reflections upon the experience.

1 The most difficult aspect of learning is to just get started. Once we do get started and find the right teacher/class/workshop, we begin to fly.

2. The newcomers in my classes improved more in two weeks than they had in the previous two years because they were in a nurturing, caring environment. It was a safe space.

3. It was a thrill to see how much my returning students had improved since I had seen them last summer. I really emphasize that the last day of the festival can be viewed as a “beginning,” and not an “ending.” There are lots of jam sessions, open mics, and other performance opportunities in Fairbanks, and it was a pleasure to see how many of my students had remained musically active throughout the year.

4. This was my 28th time at the festival, and many of my students have been taking my classes for at least several years. Witnessing their long-term growth reminded me of how much improvement they’ve made over the years, and it let me guide them to their next steps on an individual basis.

5. Everyone loved performing in our concerts, because the audiences, all the participants, and I created a warm, supportive environment. It was astonishing to see even beginners give focused, enjoyable performances!

Reflect on what I’ve written above and see how you can continue to cultivate a healthy mindset in terms of your musical involvement and progress. We all need continual reminders of this, as I was reminded of at the festival.

Here’s a video of me performing “All Blues” with Diamond Fuller, who lives in Fairbanks. Diamond is an incredible drummer and I just found out last year that he also plays the saxophone. True talent and determination!

All Blues: Ron Drotos and Diamond Fuller 7-25-24

Enjoy the journey and let the music flow!

Ron

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