President Christine Kangaloo, ORTT, is championing the potential of young people through music by hosting a week-long steelpan camp for 25 students from July 14th to 18th.
At The President’s Pan Camp 2025, students will experience playing our national instrument for the first time, and receive mentorship from various life coaches over five days.
This is the second consecutive year President Kangaloo is hosting the President’s Pan Camp. She said she was inspired by the extraordinary team of individuals who have once again breathed life into the vision she first shared in her inaugural address: to use pan as a pathway to youth development.
“This year, the Pan Camp holds that same transformational potential. Twenty-five young people will be mentored by seasoned pannists and facilitators who can recognise their potential and who are committed to nurturing and unlocking it.”
Public Relations Officer at Pan Trinbago, Kwesi Moore, said the steelpan is more than an instrument: it is a tool for social transformation. He explained that the panyard model promotes discipline and structure, qualities they hope to instil in every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.
“There is no doubt why Her Excellency identified the panyard model as an exemplary tool for addressing some of the ills that plague our society today. And of course, what better way to shape our society and create productive citizens than through impacting the lives of our youth.”
Speaking on behalf of the project’s Technical Committee, former San Fernando Mayor and leader of the Heritage Petroleum Skiffle Steel Orchestra, Junia Regrello, described the Pan Camp as a continuation of a movement that honours the past, empowers the present, and safeguards the cultural future.
“This camp is a gift, a space to grow, to connect, and to be inspired. My encouragement to each of you is to make the most of it: listen, learn, practise, respect the instrument and the legacy it carries. To Their Excellencies, thank you for the vision, your dedication to our youth, and for shining the national spotlight on the steelpan.”
This year’s camp includes students from the Cotton Tree Foundation, the T&T Cadet Force, various Police Youth Clubs, Girl Guides, and Scouts.
Mentors include Freetown Collective’s Muhammad Muwakil, Justice Gillian Lucky J.A., Guinness World Record holder Joshua Regrello, and Miss World T&T, Anna-Lise Nanton.