Steve and Chad at Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig

This week Steve Staruch and Chad Hoopes are exploring schools in Minnesota, playing and chatting along the way young people across the state. Here are more of Steve's thoughts, from the road:

The "What's your passion?" tour with Classical MPR's artist-in residence, Chad Hoopes, continued today at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig native American school. Our welcome began with a performance from the school's drum group. There's something elemental/spiritual about the sound and the ceremony surrounding this traditional greeting. I felt it and I believe that Chad felt it too. His performances were deeper and more colorful. One of the teachers spoke to me after the performance. "Our kids are going to talk about this for a long time!"

Also a part of the morning was a demonstration by the school's native dance ensemble. Several students explained to Chad the significance of the dance as it was performed. All of us were fascinated and moved by the energy and the skill of the dancers. As always, students were happy to have photos taken with Chad, and his warmth and virtuosity did more than breakdown barriers, it created bridges.