Thank You for the Music

Glen Kamida brings music education to children in Torrance and beyond.

Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner | Photographed by Michael Neveux

It was hard to miss Glen Kamida at the Torrance Memorial Holiday Festival last December. Bedecked in a red holiday print suit and Santa hat, he stood out even among the spectacularly decorated Christmas trees.

The Torrance Unified elementary school music teacher had come in his volunteer role as music director of the North Torrance Youth Musicians Ensemble, referred to as nTyme (pronounced “in time”). Two of nTyme’s ensembles performed that night—the Jazz Band and Community Orchestra—and both received an enthusiastic response from the audience.

“He is amazing and goes nonstop,” parent Ximena Salazar says about Kamida. She was delighted both her son, Daniel Lowry, and husband, Greg Lowry, were playing that evening as members of nTyme’s Community Orchestra (Daniel on trumpet and Greg on saxophone). The Lowry's are one of three parent-child musician pairs currently involved with nTyme.

Kamida created nTyme soon after starting his job in Torrance 22 years ago. He and some parents saw a need for practice outside the regular school day, and Kamida agreed to run the sessions. They quickly expanded.

Today nTyme comprises 14 groups with an all-volunteer teaching staff of six. “The quality of the staff is wonderful. We’re very fortunate,” says Kamida. “And I couldn’t do the job without parent volunteers, especially our founding president, Hiroko Eddo. Her children finished school seven years ago, yet she continues to stay involved.”

Practices take place Tuesday evenings for ukulele and jazz, Wednesdays for band, Thursdays for the string orchestra and Saturday afternoons for the various other orchestras. Kamida teaches eight groups.

Glen Kamida's love of music from an early age has led him to bring the joy of music to kids and adults in the South Bay for over two decades.

“When you learn and appreciate music, you develop life skills—resilience, flexibility, caring, compassion, working with others, resolve,” says Kamida. He describes nTyme’s philosophy as putting students in positions where they can succeed. “It’s a team sport. We don’t bench.”

The Community Orchestra includes musicians from ages 8 to 87. Members range from having no experience to being semiprofessional. The group’s senior player hadn’t played violin for 65 years before picking it up again.

nTyme emphasizes community involvement. In addition to performing in concerts for churches and community events, the group provides Thanksgiving meals to 100 needy area families.

On weekdays, Kamida shares his music knowledge and enthusiasm with approximately 800 students in five Torrance elementary schools. “There’s so much pressure on kids with their academic requirements. Music can be a welcome relief,” he says. “It’s academic but without the pressure.”

He sees himself as the crazy, spoiling uncle to his many students. “My teaching is traditional, but my delivery isn’t. I don’t take myself too seriously.”

Kamida’s love of music began as a child enjoying the big band/jazz sound of Lawrence Welk’s orchestra. He started playing clarinet in fourth grade. Now he ignites that passion in others. One of his proudest moments occurred in 2008 when he conducted nTyme’s Youth Symphony Orchestra on stage at Carnegie Hall.

“When you’ve got the music bug, you want to share it.” •