Image

February 6, 2014

Linda Nap has finally graduated.
The music teacher at LCCVI who was one of the founders of Jazz Attack retired from her work Thursday and on Friday, some of the hundreds of students who learned the joy of music from her came to say thanks.
Nap was a student at LCCVI and then returned to teach music. Twenty-five years ago, she and fellow teacher Pam Dobbs came up with the idea for a musical jazz group where students performed choral music using microphones and instruments. “It was so different from the concert choir,” said Nap during a reception to honour her. “Because it was so different it caught on.”
The students in Jazz Attack performed all over Lambton County and traveled to Japan for performances. Membership in the group became coveted with students auditioning once a year when spots became available in the group.
Nap says 25 years later, she’s surprised by the impact the group has had. “I never dreamed it would be something that would go on so long and that they would think enough of it to comeback.”
Erica Warder was one of the students who came to LCCVI to say goodbye. She was a painfully shy Grade Nine student who tried three times to be part of Jazz Attack. When she made it, she was terrified to sing in front of an audience.
“I was extraordinarily shy and Jazz Attack forced me to sing…it helped me to come out of my shell.
“I wanted to be out there with the microphone and the cool tie,” she says adding Nap was one of the reasons she pushed through her shyness. “She expected a lot of us and she took music seriously…She helped me come out of my shell. If it wasn’t for her, I might still be singing in the dark.”
Warder went on to study music and now makes her living singing with orchestras and choral groups across the country and around the world.
And while the students obviously enjoyed it, Nap says she was touched by them as well. “it was not just about teachers teaching kids, kids were teaching the teachers, too.” And Nap says she still keeps in touch with many of her students.
That’s why it was strange to hand in her keys Thursday. “It was like I’d finally graduated.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Greenhill Gardens closed; upkeep of six-acre garden ‘challenging’

June 16, 2025

The Independent Greenhill Gardens – a once privately-owned oasis in Wilkesport – is closed to the public. That from the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation which took over the grounds in 2024. The gardens were cultivated by Joy Robson for years and her husband, Bill, allowed people to come and walk through the gardens for free. After the death of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Thedford EMS changes years away

June 15, 2025

The Independent Thedford residents won’t be losing their ambulance station for some time. That from Lambton County officials. Last month, Lambton Shores councillors voiced concern about a county plan which would close the Thedford station and have Forest paramedics to cover their calls. Lambton EMS also plans to move the Grand Bend station near Pinery Park hoping to provide better

Read More

Image
Front Page

No ATV rally for Petrolia Ag Society

June 15, 2025

The Independent There will not be ATVs rumbling through Petrolia this summer. Kelly Humphrey of the Petrolia Enniskillen Agricultural Society came to council in mid-May asking if PEAS could host an ATV rally with Greenwood Park as a starting and finishing point and using Petrolia streets to get to the starting and finishing point.  Julie Bullock, director of parks and

Read More

Image
Front Page

Fair banner may not fly

June 14, 2025

The Independent The Moore Agricultural Society has some big plans for the 175th anniversary of the Brigden Fair. But not all of their plans may work out. The ag society has asked for and received several approvals from St. Clair Township council for special events at the landmark fair including allowing a low-level Canadian Armed Forces Flyby and helicopter landings

Read More