Find your calling in life through the arts with Westport Arts and Music School
By Tom Gillespie
THE Westport Art & Music School (WAMS) was founded in January 2019 by musician/artist Laurice Van Den Oosten (22), a school leaver who wanted to help others find their calling in life through the arts.
Laurice (pictured) was not a very academic student and felt a huge absence of support for the creative, more hands-on students who had no idea how the industry works or where to start.
Leaving school she had no idea what she wanted to do.
Laurice, who is half Dutch, half Irish, said: “Myself and my brother Jamie are the musicians in the family. Jamie has formed a band with his friends called Headroom. We've both been playing music since a very young age and we are both very glad we didn’t give up on it.
“There were points where we both lost interest, mine was in third and fourth year of secondary school. Jamie a little earlier, first year. Both of our parents encouraged us to keep going. Eventually we stopped taking lessons and continued our studies from home.
“Jamie plays acoustic and electric guitar and I play piano. I began to teach from home, the odd neighbour or relation at first. Then I moved my lessons to my grandmother's house in Horkan’s Hill in Westport as the numbers began to grow. This was a huge help. Once it started to get a little crowded, I rented a space above Sherry Fitzgeralds. This is where it all began.
“It came as sort of a Eureka moment. I was so zoned in on the fact that I was just teaching from home that I didn’t realise Westport doesn’t even have a music school. It never has!”
She continued: “At the same time my artistic career was getting very busy too. I had commissions left, right and centre.
“Bear in mind I was in WCFE at this time also, studying art. Trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I had thought art college. Definitely. But for what? To come out with plenty of information and no job. What's the point in that when I could spend the four years building up clientele for myself now.
“So, that's when it hit me. I'm not going to follow the flock, spend four years in college and come out having to start from scratch. I was never going to do something I didn’t enjoy. I always knew that.
“It was always going to be something art or music oriented but I couldn't think of a single role that attracted me enough to go down the college route. One evening, I was thinking about the music school idea and realised I'll just do both. I'll teach both of my favourite subjects, I'll create a job for myself. I'll create a job for others just like me. I'll help young people with the same exact problem I am facing today.
“I am so glad I did what I did. I have helped so many people get into art college, pass exams, even find their passion again. The list is endless.
“I can’t think of a more rewarding job. Getting to see a student come in, start from scratch, progress and succeed. It’s amazing. I am so honoured to be who I am and what I represent in this town. This is my dream and I made it for me.”
Laurice said the opening of WAMS was solely aimed at providing courses, mentoring and, most importantly, jobs to those in the same predicament.
She added: “Teaching is such a rewarding job, and I can easily say I now have the career I always dreamed of.”
Her website shows all the events, services and clubs they host - westportartmusicschool.com.
Laurice added: “As well as providing jobs to the locals and fun and educational services to the people of Westport, we also offer our school as an examination centre for the Royal Irish Academy of Music three times a year so that our Westport students do not have to travel outside of Castlebar, our next nearest exam centre.
“We also prepare students for examination all year round and we even sell the books necessary for learning and developing here in the school as none of the Westport bookshops provide them and again we save our students the hassle of travelling over to Castlebar or shopping online.
“We have already provided jobs to local musicians here in Westport and surrounding areas. We have employed many local music teachers in the past. You may know some of them - Nicole and Elisha Gannon, also known as the Gannon Sisters, Gavin Callaghan, Catherine McGlinchey, Carrie Coleman (sister of Hayley), Finn Costelloe (also known as Upbeat), Shauna Moran, Luke McKeown, Colin Mulligan, Patrick Cusack, Sarah Williams, Grainne Coyne, Aisling Touhy and others.
“As for artists, we have covered most of the art services ourselves. Linda, my mother, often helps out with the kids art club and other similar projects and I am a professional portrait artist as well as a pianist. We have employed animation artist Emma Healy, Life Drawing Models Ireland Jeff and Debbie, photographers Dallas Dallaghan and Laurence Kenchington.
“This summer we hope to employ more artists, dancers and entertainment providers for our summer camps. We have so much to offer, but we need more space to grow and flourish.
“On July 6 we started a book club for the very first time with Grace O'Malley and Alice Floating.
“Live music in the courtyard will take place Friday to Sunday from 7 p.m. for the entire month of July. We are in search of musicians for this, as well as those interested in taking part in the Open Mic Night(s).”
Laurice is also on the lookout for tutors, pianists, saxophonist, bass guitarist and tin whistle player and experience in group tuition is essential.
She concluded: ”Teaching is such a rewarding job, and I can easily say I now have the career I always dreamed of.”
WAMS is located at Unit 2, The Courtyard, James Street, Westport (F28 YD34). Get in touch at (098) 44573 or (087) 4631158.