More than 200 students who attended the Socorro Independent School District summer orchestra camp in June 2022 were treated to a virtual performance by world-renowned, Grammy award winning cellist Zuill Bailey.
Eastlake High School orchestra director and co-coordinator for the camp Cindy Cabada was eager to make the special event happen for the summer camp participants.
She said the experience of hearing and interacting with Bailey, who is also Artistic Director of El Paso Pro Musica, would be memorable for the students.
“This year’s summer camp was just so much more special because the kids have been through so much adversity,” Cabada said. “So, being able to offer this to them and bring back some normalcy with our annual camps makes this experience so rewarding.”
Bailey, who was at a conference in Alaska at the time, was happy to do a concert for the students, followed by a Q&A.
After his performance, Bailey gave career advice, spoke about how and why he got into music, talked about his favorite places where he has performed and the musicians he’s most enjoyed collaborating with. He also shared his reaction when he won a Grammy and discussed his current projects.
“Your love for music can be a key that opens many doors or a torch that lights your way,” Bailey said.
Bailey told students that the importance of music became especially clear to him during the pandemic as he witnessed how music brought people together, created friendships and lasting memories.
Jacqueline Guerra, a senior at Eastlake High School, who plays the viola, said the camp helps students get ahead for the all-region competition and gain insight in concert music. She said combined with the special guest, it was a worthy experience.
“I was already impressed with Mr. Bailey’s extensive portfolio, but hearing him play was awesome,” Guerra said.
Max Magana, an Americas High School senior and cellist, said it is great being around students of other ages and from other schools because you get to become acquainted with people in the music community that you want to be a part of.
“Being a cellist myself, I thought it was a very interesting experience,” Magana said. “Zuill Bailey is very well known, so it's great to see such an amazing cellist take the time out of his day to sit and answer some questions from us.”
Bailey, who is widely considered one of the premier cellists in the world, is an internationally renowned soloist, recitalist, artistic director and teacher.
He has been featured in symphony orchestras worldwide and collaborated with some of the most prominent musicians in the music field.
His resume includes performing at prestigious concert halls, such as Disney Hall, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.
Published September 7, 2022
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