In Focus | Calum Middleton of Rhythms and Rhymes

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Calum Middleton

What do you always find yourself saying?
Oh, no worries!

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Ben Folds. He's an amazing piano player and the person who inspired me to start playing piano which lead to playing a bunch of other instruments.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I suppose something to do with art or music or maybe like a "hey, this guy's okay" award.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra. We'd just sit around and croon.

Who inspires you?
My family, my friends and the students I see daily and weekly.

What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Travel outside Canada or the United States
2. Perform in a big cool music festival
3. Watch the movie "The Bucket List"

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
The Here and Now. "Hey everybody get on board the Here and Now!" or "hey, let's sail the Here and Now"

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I'm just curious as to where I'll be in a few years and what I'll be doing.

What are you passionate about?
Music. I started playing music when I was 11-years-old. Now, 17 years later I can't begin to imagine how different my life would be without music being such an important factor. I'm also passionate about working with kids and teens. If I can combine my two passions...hey even better!

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
I went to a music festival in Edmonton a few years back. A buddy of mine now plays for a band and seeing him play up on stage and up on the big screen was super surreal. After the show I got to hang out with him like the old days and he introduced me to the rest of the band. That was a pretty spectacular day.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Can I have two? Seeing students whom I've worked with graduate or go on to have successes. I feel like I had at least a small part in that and it's super exciting and rewarding to see. My other is starting up my new program Rhythms and Rhymes. I'm so happy about how it’s turning out.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Muninns Post. Such a cool atmosphere. Cheap delicious food and tons of games to play while you wait. Super friendly staff too.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
For a while the music scene was kind of dying down. It's cool to see it slowly making a comeback. That being said, I really enjoy the open mics around town and seeing all the talented locals come out and do their thing.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Rhythms and Rhymes

What does your business/organization do?
Every week we are joined by individuals with special needs in the community and we do music and movement. We all hang out and jam together and play instruments.

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.rhythmsandrhymes.com

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
randrkelowna

What is your mission?
I just want to build self-esteem and help build and establish friendships all while using the method of music and movement.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
I would love to build a musical community.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
Still going strong. I think there's always going to be a need for this kind of program.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Inclusion: We offer a safe environment where no experience is necessary and an individual will not be judged on their ability to play or move or sing.
Fostering creativity and health and wellness: We are helping individuals express themselves through the power of music and movement.
Trust: We are not instructors or teachers, we are peers and friends. We want to build relationships with not only our program members, but their friends and families as well.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
We've had a lot of support from friends and family and others in the community and without them; we wouldn't be where we are right now.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
To our knowledge, there is not a lot in the community like our program. We giving people the opportunity to be creative and express themselves in ways they might not get to.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
As much as the music scene is improving, I'd like to see it bloom even more. More opportunities for musicians to showcase their talent. More venues. More opportunities for fans to see live music.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
We're pretty lucky to be living in Kelowna. I mean a lot of folks come here to vacation. Our weather, our culture and our community.

My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Sheila Dyer

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!