Young Belizean Artists Find Their Voice at Summer Music Camp

For a group of young, aspiring musicians in Belize City, this summer has been anything but ordinary. Over the past two weeks, twelve kids, some just starting out, others already finding their rhythm, came together at The Reef Recording Studio. It wasn’t just about beats and lyrics; it was about building confidence, making new friends, and channeling their creativity in a positive way. Today marked the end of their musical journey, for now, but the memories and skills they’ve gained will last a lifetime. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Some kids are born with musical talent, others discover it along the way and this summer, twelve young artists from Belize City got the chance to do just that. For the past two weeks, they’ve been working side by side with music producer Devin “DJ Perf” Peyrefitte at The Reef Recording Studio, sharpening their skills, exploring their creativity, and learning what it really takes to make music. It’s been a hands-on experience that’s all about growth, expression, and turning passion into potential.

 

Jaznique Diamond, Camper, Reef Recording Studio

“I was singing from I was five years old. I just come up with music from the top of my head, like a word and I just started writing form experience.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do you sing often and if so where?”

 

Jaznique Diamond

“Yes sir, I think my neighbors are tired of hearing me. But, it is just something that is not just a hobby. It is something that makes you feel comfortable, that you could express yourself while doing it.”

For young music lover Jaznique Diamond, this summer was all about turning lyrics into something powerful. “DJ Perf” says every child who joined the program came in with a real passion for music and a hunger to learn more. And from the sound of it, they’re just getting started.

 

Devin “Dj Perf” Peyrefitte, Manager, Reef Recording Studio

“So this is something we do with kids, really have them in an environment of creating music, not just sitting behind a keyboard and learning music but really being in the environment of creating music. That is what we offered the kids. We did like, the first day we show them how a studio is operated, the different section, a recording booth, we do song writing classes, beat making, a drummer came in show them how to play the drum. We did all those activities and did a talent show to have them write a song and have them perform for us today.”

 

The music didn’t stop at just beats and lyrics, these young artists also got creative with visuals. Each participant designed their own album cover art, capturing what their time at The Reef Recording Studio meant to them. Take Cameron Middleton, for example. He doesn’t express himself through vocals, but give him a drum set, and he speaks volumes. Over the past two weeks, Cameron’s rhythm and confidence behind the kit have grown by leaps and bounds.

 

Cameron Middleton, Camper, Reef Recording Studio

“So, my cousin has this electric drum at home so every time I go play it I don’t know what to do. He teaches me but not like my drum teacher. So when Julia said we would have drum class she takes all of and she always bring us and drop us off. On the snare I could play the snare good and the high and the symbols. I could not play those good but now what I know I am good at it the three loudest ones.”

 

The Director at Hope Resource Center, Julian Mortis, plays a quiet but key role in the music camp. She is a driver, motivator, and an all-around supporter for the children, ensuring they get to the studio and learn what is being thought.

 

Julian Mortis, Director, Hope Resource Center

“It does a lot, because there is a lot of things happening in our community, a lot of negative things going on. So we try to grab as much kids in our community and do positive things with them, because we see the negative that they are seeing everyday and I am really trying to get as much kids as I can to bring them into places like this, the resource center, the Reef Studio, so that they have a place they can come and what I like is that this is a safe place.”

All participants received a certificate of completion today. This is the second music camp that The Reef Studio hosted. Peyrefitte says he plans to make it an annual event. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.