What is mastery? It evokes images of grey-haired sculptors, of sleek martial artists, of Yoda-like secret powers that only show up in the crunch, and of Moses prevailing alone against the elements.

I long wondered about this, and investigated every aspect I could find, ever mindful of Socrates description of the difference between the craftsman's mastery and his own - " Having mastered one thing, they would invariably assume they had mastery over many things, and so I afford the higher place to philosophers, who see clearly the difference between what they know and what they do not."

What I am sure I know about is that I get a sense of mastery from people who are able to become 100% engaged with their art. Not 99% engaged.

It does not seem to be a state that can be conferred by certification. And no matter how many people insist it is so, if an artist is not 100% engaged, the artist will know it, and covers this truth at his or her extreme peril, as Boy George and many others will attest.

Mastery appears to be an internal state of balance, where all forces within oneself serve in support of the art or craft at hand. I have seen this change come over me in composing and playing music, as if the previously unruly senses suddenly heard the approach of the Master, and quickly lept to their posts, attentive and ready to help.

I chose a young person ( again, the last one was Kinobe) to highlight this time because of this factor. When I hear Georgia's most recent composition, it speaks to me of an unyeilding search to express beauty through music. I hear no place where the condiments of the style try to take the place of the main course, and no compromise to any clichés so easily appropriated from the hip-hop community - "I am cool/tough/disenfranchised/broke/pissed."

It is very possible that we all live moments of mastery without giving them their due recognition, due partly to the cultural stereotyping around us. In the end, however, there is only one person that will be able to know that...

Yo, I mean you!

Georgia grew up on the coast of BC, where her parents built from scatch one of the world's finest fishing resorts.

The linked video was shot there during the resort's role in a television series - and its very fine work, but for me the composition rides above the imagery. The sparse instrumentation works to support a simple, impeccable melody.

July 2
Duncan
Garage Showroom
8pm, $15
with the Vancouver Island Liberation Army
House Band