When traditional Cajun and Creole musicians take to the stage, one mark of their genius is how easy they make it look. Whether they are wielding an accordion, a fiddle, or some other folk instrument, it can look like they are playing with their bodies instead of their minds — seamlessly moving with the music, hands busy executing a Cajun waltz or a hip-shaking zydeco tune with the effortlessness of bone-deep knowledge.
This kind of knowledge is often transferred through generations of practice, but most Louisiana youth don't have a musical relative with an accordion to pass down. That's where Louisiana Folk Roots Kids Camp comes in. For the past 15 years, Louisiana Folk Roots (which also hosts Blackpot Festival in Lafayette and Balfa Week in Eunice) has held summer camps for kids who want to learn how to play traditional instruments and carry on the vernacular sound so important to the region.
READ MORE: This summer camp plays a key role in Acadiana's 'music workforce pipeline'
According to executive director Jeanne Solis, music plays a large role in attracting tourist dollars and cultural workforce opportunities to south Louisiana. "That's why we have to work hard to get kids into traditional music," she says, noting that a number of students who have attended the camp over the years have gone on to become professional musicians.
That includes Luke Huval, camp coordinator and former student who also headlines the Luke Huval Band, which recently recorded a session for the KRVS Acadiana Music Spotlight series.
"We want to help kids explore all areas of our culture," said Huval, speaking from the Opelousas camp held from June 24-28 at the Le Vieux Village historic site. The students spent a week learning their chosen instrument (fiddle, guitar or accordion), interspersed with dance practice, chanson sing-a-longs, and experiential lessons in local art, film and cultural history.
Amelie Broussard, an 11-year-old from Lafayette, started playing the fiddle about six months ago. "My goal is to have fun," she said, adding that maybe one day she can teach her kids how to play. Solis says that she's proud to see students such as Broussard picking up instruments that used to be primarily accessible to men — especially accordions, a remarkably physical instrument that the 8-14 year old campers learned from instructor and Creole/zydeco artist and producer Randall Jackson.
On the last day of camp, students gathered at Toby's Downtown in Opelousas for a showcase and dance party with their family and friends. Having participated in "band labs" during the course of camp, the students performed zydeco and Cajun tunes as the "Big City Chickenz," "Zydeco Madness," "Stellar Stella and the Opelousas Playboys," and "Loup Garou Stew," bringing the house down multiple times as they showed off their range of skills.
Students participate in "Band Labs" to experience being part of a traditional Cajun music group as part of LA Folk Roots Kids Camp during the showcase at Toby's Downtown on Friday, June 28, 2024 in Opelousas, La..
One 8-year-old camper, Adeline Townley, spent the week learning the accordion. At the showcase her father, Josh Townley, said that he started playing music himself about three years ago, and he wishes he had started sooner. When asked what attracted her to the accordion, Adeline responded that she "likes the way it sounds."
"Our hope is that this generation carries the songs, dance, language and culture with them," Solis said, standing in the historic schoolhouse on the grounds of Le Vieux Village. "It's also fun. The biggest, most important part is having fun. This is not school, it's summer camp."
As one young camper picked up an accordion and confidently launched into his rendition of "Got It From Boo" by Eunice musician Jo Jo Reed, it did look like a lot of fun. It also looked like the future will be bright for Acadiana's music traditions.