Our Story

Jam Camp began in 2003, at a provincial campground on the beautiful shores of Mabel Lake, BC.  Jam Camp came from Thomas Tumbach’s desire to share music in a creative, supportive, exploratory and multicultural environment.  Thomas grew up learning how to play classical violin, but despite his extensive musical training, he was unable to play anything that wasn’t written down on a sheet of paper. He wanted to be able to informally “jam” with other musicians and be able to spontaneously create original music. 

For years, Thomas sought mentors and musical friends to help him develop into the musician he longed to be, but it wasn’t an easy process. Thomas learned to value a non-competitive, creative environment to make music in, and also how valuable music from other cultures can be to open up creative doors. Eventually Thomas was approached by the parents of some of his violin students to start a music camp that would focus on his musical values. That’s when Jam Camp was born.

Jam Camps have grown from one camp in the summer of 2003 with 10 youth participants, to several camps in the BC interior with over 100 participants of all ages, international camps in Japan, school residencies and weekend workshops all over the province. Jam Camp Society was incorporated in 2005 as a BC non-profit society.