For the third year in a row, James was invited to collaborate with the Salt Bay Chamberfest and the Damariscotta River Association to work with children in the Jon Deak-patented method of Very Young Composer work. It is a refreshing and rejuvenating festival led and curated by Mina Smith, who always brings together superb musicians and tantalizing, evocative programming. Last year, Alan Gilbert played violin; this year, Osmo Vänska played clarinet. With the addition of lobsters and great parties, it’s a delightful two weeks.

Most of all, it is refreshing to be by the ocean, and to be in the world of the 9-year old unfettered imagination, which is inexhaustible and unpredictable in all the right ways.