On Tuesday, June 6th, UTT's Associate Professor of Music (Double Bass) Caitlyn Kamminga was invited to host a panel discussion at the 2023 International Society of Bassists (ISB) Convention. Panellists included Grammy Award winning bassist, John Clayton, leading pedagogue, Paul Ellison, advocate for diversity, equity and excellence in music, Dr. Patricia Weitzel and UTT APA graduate and Principle Double Bass of the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, Mark Haynes.

During the Idea Gathering Session, the topic of how ISB can best support accessibility to instruments and education for its international membership were examined.

In this session panellists considered the accrual of debts, as an international society and repayment. Other question topics explored in this session included, access to instruments and quality education, how to create educational and performance opportunities for our particular population of students and emerging professionals, and how we as an international community of musicians/double bassists can best commit to supporting our international colleagues, many of whom do not have access to instruments or education. Associate Professor Kamminga has been a member of the ISB since 1988 and presents regularly at the bi-annual convention.

Many thanks to the President of the ISB, Gaelen McCormick, who championed this proposal from the beginning, to Massy Foundation who underwrote Mark Haynes travel to the US and to the ISB who gave Mr. Haynes a grant to cover room and board.