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An
American Oklahoman in an Irish Williams Syndrome Camp
I remember the first time I met Ann Breen in the summer of 2000. She already
seemed to know who I was, and I soon figured out that this was the mother of a
student I was to be teaching at the Williams Syndrome Music and Arts Camp at
Belvoir Terrace in Lenox, Massachusetts. Though I have a niece with Williams
Syndrome, I had never taught piano to anyone with this kind of disability. And
Karen Breen was to be my first student. Something about Ann-- we just seemed to
hit it off. And I hung on her every word, as I so wanted this experience to be a
great one for both Karen and myself.
Karen and I had a great time that week, along with Felix her little stuffed cat.
I was in awe of Karen¹s musical abilities perhaps made more astounding because
her verbal communication could not keep pace with her perfect pitch,
improvisational skills in all keys (I do
mean all), and quickness to learn new music nearly instantly after she heard it
played or sung to her. The whole week at Belvoir was a revelation to me, as I¹m
sure I learned more from my students than I was able to teach. After daily
lessons with Karen and daily conversations with Ann, I felt that I had known
both of them for quite a long time. At some point Ann and I were talking about
plans that Ann had to begin a Williams Syndrome camp in Ireland. Something
caused me to mention to her that if she found herself in need of someone to
teach piano or accompany musical theater that I would be interested in coming.
The summer of 2001 found me in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland for
a week at the first WSAI camp. I felt like a pioneer; all of us on the staff
did! It was an amazing week with a small group of campers encompassing the ages
of six to early thirties. I found myself saying “’Tis” and
“Brilliant!” and talking about the “lads” by the end of the week. But
most exciting was to see a true miracle of community occur in just seven days.
Our musical was “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” adapted in
fine fashion by Marie Power, who was the camp’s music director and an
amazingly energetic dynamo of a lady. Watching about seven campers, an equal
number of helpers, staff members, and parents combine resources to bring this
performance to life was completely enthralling. Seeing campers come out of their
shells, smiling broadly, becoming excited about making music together-- can
anything compare? And for myself in my piano teaching, I saw students become
excited about the sounds they could make on this instrument. I saw them develop
confidence that their interests and abilities were important and that they had
something to offer. I saw spontaneity, joy, and amazement.
The summer of 2002 I came back; it was like “old home week” as we say in the
States; I don’t know for sure if that’s an Irish expression! Reunions with
campers, parents, teachers, and helpers from last year were a real joy. Meeting
new campers was an exciting experience, as they brought a new dimension to the
camp and to my life. I almost knew my way around Share Village, though sometimes
this directionally-challenged teacher needed one of the campers to point me in
the right direction! The music-making this summer was superb. Two new campers--
Harm, guitarist, vocalist, and percussionist extraordinaire from the Netherlands
and Brian, an amazing pianist, vocalist, and percussionist made a great musical
duo, always ready to play. And the number of songs they already knew! These two
guys are both so musically sensitive and very thoughtful of others-- still
amazes me that Brian’s hobby is going on extended motorcycle rides. It was
especially rewarding to see a whole new level of confidence with Fiona, as she
ventured from one instrument to the next in the newly-named Meditation Center,
the setting for informal community improvisation sessions, which occurred almost
nightly. Karen continued with her amazing ability to pick out tunes on the
piano-- sing it once or twice and she’s got it! I really enjoyed watching her
show her mother how to perform the intricate dance steps for the numbers in
“Paint Your Wagon,” the exceptional musical that the campers learned in one
week. (Finally, I saw exactly why an Oklahoman needed to be there, as I coached
everyone how to correctly pronounce and accent the expression “Yee haw!”) I
saw a new level of confidence in Patricia, as she seemed to enjoy expressing
herself musically so much more than last year; and I will never forget how much
attention she paid to what earrings I was wearing each day! Alan, so incredible
the way he looks after his mother and the interest he took in interactions with
everyone, showed so much growth this past year. And Sighile, with her brilliant
smile, continued to participate in everything with her characteristic
enthusiasm. Robert, though not officially a WS camper, showed great maturity and
thoughtfulness in his role as helper; I will always keep the lovely thank-you
card he made me.
What can a few dedicated parents, camp organizers, and staff members do to make
a big difference in the lives of seven WS campers in one week”s time? The
answer, amazingly, is A LOT! All the hours of organization, planning and
teaching are so worthwhile. The campers become our family for a week; at each
lesson, recital, musical rehearsal and performance, we encourage each one and
yearn for them to do well, to accomplish something that is satisfying to them,
to grow a little (or a lot), to take away from camp the knowledge that they have
both received and given so much. Music is the focus, but there is so much more
than music-- talks with parents, campers, helpers; the twice-daily tea breaks
with Nuala’s homemade cherry cake; sloshing around with clay and making a mess
instead of a brilliant work of art; cruising on Upper Lough Erne; Share Village
itself with its amazing facilities which cater to many kinds of disability; the
wonderful weather-- of course, I was the only one wearing turtlenecks, while
everyone else was in short-sleeved shirts and shorts-- but it really was cold
weather compared with the summer heat of Oklahoma!
Each one involved in any way with the camp has won my heart completely. People
with Williams Syndrome are some of the greatest folks I know. That’s why I
want to come back again next year.
Sandra Meyer
Oklahoma, USA
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Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland 
