FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Where are they now?  Some smiling, some thoughtful, some nervous but all the kids in this shot from Hugh Campbell Primary way back in the 90s owe a huge debt to the teacher in the back row.

For them – and many other children in Grand Bahama – she drew back the curtain on a magical world of music, a world in which she starred not just as a teacher but as a professional performer who has wowed audiences worldwide.

Her name is Pam Woods and this photograph was taken during a school teaching career in Freeport which spanned twenty years up to 1999 when she moved back to her birthplace of Nassau.  After inspiring kids during weekdays she was performing at the weekends at one time or another at all the island’s top hotels including some, like the Atlantic Beach, which are long gone.

Apart from Hugh Campbell she taught pupils at Sunland, Freeport High, St Vincent de Paul, and the former Hawksbill High.  And she learned something in return – how to bring the best out of an audience.

She will be using that charisma to the full when she returns to GB this coming Friday (Nov 13) as the star of a night of song, music and dance with a jazz and gospel flavour at Freeport’s Regency Theatre.

Looking forward to a night to remember, Pam said: “I taught for almost 30 years in all and was a weekend entertainer.  I thought I would never make a living as an entertainer, so teaching provided income while I did what my heart desired on stage.”

“I’m still a teacher, but I’m also a professional performer. I use all the skills of a teacher to pull and draw out audiences. Sometimes there is no response – like a class – and you wonder if you are getting through. I still use the tricks of the classroom.”

Pam was one of seven children and originally moved to Grand Bahama because she wanted to be independent and “make a fresh start”.  Music was a big part of her life – her late father Sidney Woods was a musician and his style is still to be heard in Pam’s piano-playing – and apart from teaching music and performing professionally before audiences she played organ on Sunday mornings at lots of Freeport churches.

This Friday she will be appearing with a large supporting cast in Home Again – An Evening with Pam Woods and Friends.  Also featured are: Ossie Hall and Ralph Munnings, both playing sax, Michael Wilchcombe, Donald Glass and Leslie McDonald (guitars).

The night will include a selection from Ain’t Misbehavin’ performed by Methice Rigby, Dora Brown, Kenton Pinder, and Allessandro Major – a taster for the full show being presented by Freeport Players’ Guild next February.  Dance will include Sheena and A. J. Forbes strutting their stuff to Pam Woods’ version of I Got Rhythm.  The Lois Seiler Dancers and GB Players will complete the bill along with Pam’s daughter Wandrea, a teacher at St. Paul’s College and music tutor at Woods’ Music Academy on the island.

Asked what had been the challenges of her singing and playing career, Pam said: “There is no glamour. It is a lot of hard work. We still get up early in the morning; we do our own costumes, our own bookings.

“We have bills to pay, and families to raise. We cook and clean for ourselves. I think people normally think there is a big salary, and there can be a big salary. Not always, though.”

But she is still a whole-hearted performer.  And she has advice for youngsters with their hearts set on following in her footsteps: “Learn your craft. Explore all possibilities. Expand on the experiences of your forefathers so that you can stand on their shoulders.”

Friday’s show is the latest to be staged by the Grand Bahama Performing Arts Society which was launched in January and dedicates itself to supporting performers throughout the island.  All proceeds from the show are for their benefit.

Tickets can be obtained from the Seventeen Shop, Italian Specialty Imports and Island Java for $35 each.

Photo 1 - Pam in her days as a teacher at Hugh Campbell Primary

Photo 2 - Pam bewitching an audience