403-922-4407 info@destinyarts.ca

SUMMER CAMP VIDEO

PAINTING AND ARTS

Stef Pham, is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Colombia who calls Canada her forever home. Implementing acrylic she presents a vibrant touch of art that inspires and reflects nature, life and abstract elements with the goal of creating something beautiful. Throughout her life, art has been the voice to express her joy, sadness and deepest thoughts; after becoming a mother she found a new passion in her art and is now determined to make a positive impact with any interaction involving her craft, she has been a painting instructor to dozens of children and adults alike, her pieces tell a story that goes beyond the two dimensions. You can see some of her work at: https://stefpham7.wordpress.com/

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This class will be dynamic and filled with creativity, kids and teens will learn the meaning and utilization of concepts such as: composition, depth of field, colour usage and exploration of new brush techniques, while creating vibrant and beautiful pieces they can take home to feel inspired and motivated at their work and achievements!

Having in mind the age gap of each group, this class will be adjusted to the level of understanding of the children facilitating the enjoyment and participation of all the students.

3 Projects We Will Complete In Class

MACHINE SEWING

Alisha Jukes wears many different hats. She is a stitcher by day and a gymnastics coach by night. Alisha grew up in Destiny Arts and after high school got a diploma in ‘costume cutting and construction’ she is very knowledgeable and passionate about her craft and can’t wait to share it.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

In the machine sewing class the students will be guided through the process of creating a quilt. They will start by learning the basics; how to thread a machine, how to sew a straight line, and how to create a seam. Throughout the class they will work towards their quilt, and have the opportunity to see what else the machines can do, for example embellishing stitches, sewing a button, and making a pocket. The students will have the creative control to use some of these features on their quilt, or to try out these features on a different piece of fabric. At the end of the week they will have their own quilt, as well as the knowledge to make one on their own.

BEGINNERS KNITTING

FOR AGES 6-14

Pascale Lessard .

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Learn the Basics: Knit Your First Row! 

Class Length: 30-60 minutes daily for a week
Goal: By the end of the class, students will be able to cast on, knit basic stitches, complete a few rows, and bind off. They will know how to hold the needles to avoid losing stitches, and how to fix errors in the process.

🪑 Setup & Materials (10 mins)

Each student needs:

  • A pair of medium-size knitting needles (US size 8) & corresponding yarn

2. Step 1: Cast On (10–15 mins)

  • The “thumb method”

  • Practice casting on 10 stitches.

3. Step 2: The Knit Stitch (15–20 mins):

  • In through the front door (needle through stitch)

  • Around the back (wrap yarn)

  • Out through the window (pull loop through)

  • And off jumps Jack (slide stitch off)

  • Practice one row. Repeat for 4-5 rows.

4. Step 3: Binding Off (10 mins)

  • How to bind off once you have enough rows.
    • Knit two stitches, lift the first over the second, repeat.

BEGINNER GUITAR

Pascale Lessard .

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Theme: Learn 3–4 basic chords, rhythm styles (rock & Spanish), and play simple songs

🔹 Setup

  • Tuning with the piano or by ear 

  • Name the strings (EADGBE)

🔹 Learn Basic Chords

  • Teach G, C, D, and Em (easy beginner chords)

  • Practice finger placement and pressing clean notes

  • Use chord diagrams on board or handouts

🔹 Chord Switching Drill

  • Practice switching between 2 chords (e.g., G ↔ C, G ↔ D)

  • Slowly build to quicker transitions

🔹 Strumming Rhythms

  • Downstrokes and upstrokes, 2 rhythm styles:

    • Rock: Down-down-up-up-down-up

    • Spanish-style: Rasgueado (finger flicks)

Play Simple Songs (2–4 chords)

Choose songs kids can recognize and sing along to:

  • 🎵 “Three Little Birds” (A, D, E)

🎵 “Horse with No Name” (Em, D6)

VOICE AND SINGING

Michelle Meier believes that everyone can sing and is committed to helping children confidently find and voice their unique songs into the world.
She worked for several years in a preschool setting working with children on and off the autism spectrum.
During her tenure as an Early Childhood Educator she honed a music therapy curriculum integrating bipedal movements with call and response singing in a ten week workshop that helped non verbal children vocalize and sing.
She also worked with women to help them source confidence and release shame blocks through singing.
She is interested in helping others sing using oral and aural tradition, rather than theory, integrating the body through sound mapping techniques and somatic rhythms, exclusively using the body and voice.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

In her classes, she will focus on breathing, sound making, spontaneous singing, rhythm, call and response singing, rounds, harmony and quadlibets to gain valuable listening and cooperative skills and vocal techniques to build a choral community.
Her methods are accessible for all ages and fun! She will explore uplifting songs to share and teach, extending into the history and tradition of each song to honor their cultural origins in teachable moments.

DRAMA

I have been involved with Destiny Arts since I was 8 years old as a student and now as a teacher.  I have also been involved in Drama with my school as a director, working on prop design, and teaching stage techniques.  I have also worked as a Cadet Instructor for four years working with 3oo youth participating in survival skills, sailing and training camps.  I am looking forward to a great Summer Camp this year!

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This class will teach the basics of acting techniques.  We will participate in improv, learn accents to body language, and work on stage awareness, among other fun and enriching activities. Another goal of our time together is to help the students build up their confidence and poise and develop a healthy self-esteem.

EMBROIDERY / HAND STITCHING

Alisha Jukes wears many different hats. She is a stitcher by day and a gymnastics coach by night. Alisha grew up in Destiny Arts and after high school got a diploma in ‘costume cutting and construction’ she is very knowledgeable and passionate about her craft and can’t wait to share it.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

In the hand stitching class the students will be guided through one of three embroidery designs.  At the beginning of the week they will choose their design and learn basic embroidery. Throughout the week they will learn how to sew a button, how to fix a rip, and how to embellish their embroidery. The students will have the artistic freedom to add these techniques to their design, or to leave the design as is. At the end of the week the students will have their own embroidery within a hoop, and the knowledge on how to make another.

BAND CLASS

Sue Turner is a singer-songwriter musician focusing on piano and guitar. She also plays drums and dulcimer. She has recorded 2 albums of original music and played in numerous bands including blues, jazz and folk. For 2 years, she has lead a Sunday Worship music team at Faith Calgary Church, and has loved including and developing young people to participate. She has also worked with Destiny Arts as a piano and guitar teacher and worked with youth in the last 2 summer camps in the context of a “band” class where kids and teens learn to play, sing and contribute in a band. She has seen children find their love of playing music and sometimes turn into budding musicians in the course of one week. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Band class will bring a group of young musicians together. 

A basic level of ability on an instrument is required. 

Singers can come with little or no experience.

With supervision, the kids will be encouraged to work together as a band in developing a performance version of one tune. That song will be performed on the Friday of the week. Skills to be developed include warming up the voice, playing chords, reading music charts, using a microphone, setting up sound on a stage, tempo and rhythm and developing their “listening ears”, as well as teamwork and leadership.

BASIC MACRAME

Pascale Lessard .

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Objective: Learn to tie basic macramé square knots and create a small project (e.g., plant hanger or wall decoration).

Materials Needed:

  • Macramé cord (3–5mm), wooden dowels, rings or beads
  • Scissors, tape or clipboards to secure work, measuring tape

Learn different knots: 

Practice, combine lead & follow cords to make basic square knots over and through the loop, left or right side. Progress to tie spiral & double half hitch knots

Mini Project: wall hanging, bracelet or plant hanger

 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOczXVaVNtM

DRUMS

Mark Calis is a veteran drummer and percussionist who has been in music since a child; dancing and just loving the beat of songs as a young boy. Mark always drummed in the air to songs  He heard and knew he wanted to play the drums. At 8 years old he took piano as a starter
instrument thus learning theory and the count of notes in music. His dad bought him a drum set at the age of 14 and drumming became a passion for Mark; practicing hours a day after school and jamming with friends. Mark has taught now for over thirteen years people of all ages and wants to always bring his expertise and knowledge of this amazingly fun instrument to everyone that wants to learn the art of drums and percussion.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Play and have fun is number one! In the class, music will be an integral part of learning the instrument; learning the songs the student wants to play is essential in the growth of a drummer. The student will always be engaged in music theory and drum rudiments that will enhance the overall development of the student’s academic understanding of percussion. Students will learn how to read notes and count them and grasp rhythmical concepts to take them to amazing heights.