CLEARLAKE>>> This summer the South Lake Alliance Children’s Museum of Art and Science (CMAS) supported a Youth Music Camp. The camp ran from July 20 to July 25, 2025 with an intention to foster not just musical talent but to build confidence and comradery. The camp gave local kids the chance to have fun and learn at the same time. It also provided an outlet for local children in the community.
The Youth Music Camp was the brainchild of Victor Hall, a local music teacher in Clearlake. Ever since he was a child, Hall wanted to attend a band camp himself. Unfortunately, his family didn’t have the money for him to go to Sonoma County’s Cazadero Music Camp. It filled him with a resolve for years to start his own band camp for all kids regardless of income.
According to the organizers, the program’s mission was to provide an educational creative, and fun experience that fosters the love of music, builds confidence, encourages collaboration and explores various genres and styles. The students ranged in age from 8 to 17.
“I found myself with this opportunity with Children’s Museum of Art and Science,” Hall explained with a smile. “With that opportunity I decided we’re gonna do this!”
To accomplish funding for the music camp, Hall and Stephanie Figueroa (representing the Museum) turned to fundraising. Their main fundraiser was Lakestock, a three-day music festival consisting of local bands. Additionally, Hall relied on reaching out to people who supported his idea. After Lakestock was over, the music camp had enough money to run with a group of kids.
Notable members of the music camp include pianist brothers Ikarus and Delanynder Basham, guitarist and singer Delilah Domer, pianist and drummer Jaclyn Jackson, singer Chloe Anderson, and dancer, guitarist and singer Ula Mendonca. All interviewed campers agreed that they had fun connecting with each other, performing on stage, and overall, it proved to be a good experience.
Hearing all of this was a highlight for Hall. “One of the main things I heard about the kids, which was really awesome, was to see kids who usually don’t work with other kids and that are shy and actually came out of their shells and became part of a unit that worked together,” he said.
Helping the Youth Music Camp further were Michaela Mendez, a volunteer that played “moral support, helped with the transportation, anything that they needed me to do” and India Mendonca, Ula’s mother and the videographer. Regarding everything else, India had glowing words about the camp, about her fellow volunteers, about the youth involved, CMAS, and Hall himself.
“Stephanie and Victor—they give their everything, they sacrificed so much for these kids in Lake County,” said Mendonca. “I want everyone to know that this was free because of the fundraising that they both did, and they do so much for the kids and Victor was an excellent, excellent music instructor where I feel guilty as a parent that I didn’t get to pay him one dollar.”
She then went on to state that if CMAS “was not there in Clearlake, this would not be happening. It’s more so about what they do for all us parents. It was truly a tremendous band camp.”
