Ardenne Prep wins at Hollywood"s Talent Olympics

A group of Jamaican children have topped the Junior Instrumental category of the 17th annual World Championships of Performing Arts, also called the Talent Olympics, held in Hollywood, California last month.

They walked away with a haul of 23 gold medals, four plaques and a trophy, as well as the title of grand champion in their category.The team, called Lightening Drummers, attends Ardenne Prep and comprises seven members from age 10 to 12.Drumming teacher Karen Davis told the Jamaica Observer that she knew the success was within reach, especially after the young musicians won two gold medals at the recent festival competition put on by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).“I was not satisfied with only local achievements so I decided to enter them in the Talent Olympics. I’ve always wanted to put them on the world stage, and separate from that, I believe the talent of children should be developed and not ignored,” Davis said.Sophia Reid, a parent of one of the drummers, spoke of her scepticism toward drumming as her child was known to be indecisive about extra-curricular activities.“When Kevon told me he wanted to do drumming I questioned [it] at first, because I had previously paid for swimming and tennis then he quit those activities as soon as he started. I realised he had a piqued interest in drumming when he would come home and practise beats in the bathroom and on my furniture,” Reid said.Reid, like Davis, said though the achievements at the JCDC competitions were good, the group needed greater exposure and she has seen where it has impacted personal development in the children.“While at the Olympics I was overjoyed, especially when I saw how relaxed they were. It has really helped them to break out of their shells and go after what they want. When I saw how many areas they were successful in I knew the effort put into the group and getting them to Hollywood was worth every dime and I have no regrets,” Reid said.Principal of Ardenne Prep, Myrtle Clarke said she was delighted with the achievements of her students and sought to encourage the importance of extra-curricular activities.“These activities help to mould children and it’s a forum for them to express themselves,” Clarke said.She said the music curriculum should not be treated as unimportant given the role it plays in academic achievement.“Drummers have to be good listeners and that is key to learning. Music is known to calm the nerves and it develops the ability of any individual to think critically, especially the theoretical aspect, seeing that part of the discipline is close to math,” she said.The two women, however, expressed their disappointment with the support they received from local entities, stating that despite the benefits of music, it was often disregarded.“Studies show that music helps to stimulate the brain, and that there is a correlation between children who do music and academic excellence. I don’t believe we pay much attention to other areas apart from track and field, and it was disappointing when we were abroad as the contingents from other countries showed they had full support from government and citizens. This was the Olympics of performing arts, and going forward I believe the nation should give more support,” Reid said.Reid added that parents like herself should encourage children to be involved in activities other than academics.“As parents, we must understand that not every child will be a scholar. No matter what it is, encourage your children, because at the end of the day what they achieve most times is what you would never have imagined in your wildest dreams,” she said.Jamaica has won at the Talent Olympics before. Among the winners Samantha and Ana Strachan topped the senior category for vocal duets in 2003, Andrew Clarke was the best senior vocalist for 2008; and in 2011, Marvin and Akino were adjudged senior grand champions in the variety artist of the world category. The Lightening drummers display their medals from last month’s Talent Olympics.Lightening drummers in performance

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Ardenne Prep wins at Hollywood"s Talent Olympics