Passing on the legacy to keep the accordion alive.

Preserving Tradition, One Free Workshop at a Time

Bahamas Accordion is a non-profit and the legal umbrella for the Cat Island Accordion & French Camp project that was launched in 2013.

The Cat Island & French Camp project:

Actions to save the accordion-

-Increase the number of people playing and studying the accordion with a particular emphasis on young people, by seeking them out and showcasing their innate talent.

Honour achievement throughout the accordion community by recognizing and honouring those who have kept this instrument alive.

Provide the media and public with information to stimulate awareness of, knowledge about, and appreciation for the accordion.

Organize French and Spanish classes for tots from 3 years to 10 years, when children have a natural disposition for language acquisition.

Contact: Diana Hamilton

Cell: (242) 477-2955

Group of children in a music class learning to play the accordion, guided by instructors, in a room with bookshelves and educational materials.

Materials for Learning

We work with HOHNER, the German manufacturturer of the diatonic accordions used in our camps. The accordion is the main instrument in the Bahamian traditional Goombay or Rake ‘n Scrape genre inherited from our slave ancestors. Renowned accordionists ensure that the quality of the lessons we provide free of charge is excellent. HOHNER ensures that we have excellent instruments to offer our students.

Person playing a red accordion indoors, wearing glasses and a colorful printed shirt, with books on a shelf in the background.

Free Accordion Lessons for Youths and Adults

We create accordion revival workshops every year to continue our efforts to save the accordion from extinction. Our programs address the needs of our communities. From training by highly qualified accordion instructors to new pedagogical approaches, we make sure our sessions are engaging and successful.

Three people in a classroom playing accordions, sitting near a wall with educational posters and colorful decorations.

Support for Communities

Accordion lessons happen within the context of a larger community. Our approach extends beyond the youth to include adults who are retired or active, ensuring we have students of all ages across all social classes.

“With the support from the Ministry of Culture and other private groups, we have been able to provide instructors, instruments, and tasty free hot lunches to our students.”

— Diana Hamilton, Camp Administrator

A group of people sitting in a circle on folding chairs, engaged in a discussion inside a room with a piano and tables in the background. The floor is tiled, and the walls are light-colored. Various items, such as books and bags, are placed on the tables and piano.

Contact

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Email
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Phone
(555) 555-5555