Reflections, from Alex Bliss

This summer is my third year attending the SPA summer program. Every time that I attend SPA I leave feeling like my playing has gotten worlds better. In the summer of 2010 before I went to SPA I made a recording of myself and then made another after I returned from SPA. They didn’t even sound like the same person playing. There wasn’t a Single part of my playing that didn’t improve in some way. Spending so much time with your instrument and working with people that know even more than you do about music takes your understanding of music to a new level.

SPA is a Fantastic music camp, but to say that’s all its about would be selling it very short. At Spa U learn a new way to look at the world community. The people who attend SPA have all been in the same situation that you have been in. That situation is being singled out for being a minority. In my high school orchestra I was always the only person of color. No mater what you do you cant shake the feeling that you are different and independent. SPA gives you the opportunity to Learn Music in a community.

Something that sticks out the most to me about SPA is the fantastic faculty. Being able to work with such skilled musicians and hearing them play just makes you want to become a better player. I am never as inspired with my music than when I am at SPA. To put all these things simply, “ My time at SPA is what makes me want me to be a musician".