Blues in the Schools 2024

Blues in the Schools has come and gone again with artists from Ottawa and the surrounding area visiting schools from Perth to Cobden, Russell, as well as Ottawa East, West and South. Artists in Canada as far away as Manitoulin Island (Teilhard Frost) and New Hampshire in the US (TJ Wheeler) congregated for the yearly two week residency in local schools to share their love of music as well as to celebrate live music with over 5000 students per day.

Notable this year was the 25th anniversary participating in the program from Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary. Spearheaded by the grade 2-3 teacher Jeannie Wong 25 years ago, the program has been a staple in the school every year. This year Corpus Christi students and teachers received performances from Juno nominee and multiple Maple Blues award winner JW Jones and Jacob Clarke, Gospel sensation Sharon Riley and local soul phenom Jeff Rogers, traditional and unplugged artist Teilhard Frost with home made gourd banjos and fiddles, as well as Lucas Haneman and Megan Laurence from ‘The Blind and the Beautiful’. A final epic performance on the last day in front of the entire school was attended by Ottawa Bluesfest Executive director Mark Monahan, school board dignitaries and festival staff as well as teachers and parents from the area.

“25 years of Ottawa Bluesfest’s Blues In The Schools Program has brought music education to thousands of students to enrich their lives and embrace the joy of music! I am very grateful to participate in this important program!” – Jeannie Wong.

Congratulations to all the students and performers! We are already looking forward to next year!