Program director takes the stage

When Stevi Belka decided to help her mother develop Camp Kobu, she looked no further than herself in raising funds.

Belka, a former Palmer High student now living and teaching music in Arizona, is hosting a concert Aug. 9 at Wasilla High School as a fund-raiser for the camp.

"I have family members up here who have never even heard me play before, so I'm excited," Belka said. "It's just a fun way to kick off the camp and to raise money for it."

The fund-raising concert and the stint as the program director at Camp Kobu are part of a hectic return to Alaska for Belka. She is staying until December, and she has plenty of things on her plate while she is back home.

"I've been teaching music down in Arizona, but I needed some time to just relax and fall in love with Alaska and experience living here again," Belka said. "I want to get my Montessori training done while I'm up here, too.

"I'm going to try to record my first CD before I leave, too," Belka added. "I've never taken the time just to focus on music, and I'd like to get that project done."

When she's not studying, planning a camp or putting together a CD, Belka said she is having fun just being home, doing things a daughter does.

"I'm spending time landscaping my mom's house and things like that," she said with a smile.

Tickets for the Aug. 9 fund-raiser are $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. In addition to Belka, Bob Bax and Anna Roys are joining her on stage. There will also be numerous raffles, including prizes such as glacier tours and stays at McCarthy Lodge. Local businesses have been supportive, Belka said.

"We had Stan's Appliance and Blue Mountain Wellness Studios help us out so much," Belka said. "Local businesses have really been great."

Tickets for the concert are available at Matanuska Music in Wasilla and Metro Music in Anchorage.