Capturing Christmas: How a Newfoundland Tradition Became a Brilliant Labs Learning Experience Behind the Lens

On December 7th, 2025, at Trinity Hall in Winterton, Newfoundland, Christmas doesn’t just sparkle it sings, strums, and fills every wooden beam of the repurposed historic church with light.

And this year, the 3rd Annual Trinity Hall Christmas Show was more than a celebration of local music. It became a real-world creative apprenticeship for youth photographer Erin Blundon, thanks to the mentorship of media creator Scott Legge and the support of Brilliant Labs / Labos créatifs.

Across two sold-out nights, a companion show in North River, and even a live TV broadcast on NTV, Erin worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Scott capturing performances, documenting the electric atmosphere, and experiencing the adrenaline of professional media production.

This wasn’t a classroom simulation.
This was the real thing.

A Stage Full of Newfoundland Talent

Each evening at Trinity Hall unfolded like a who’s who of the province’s music scene. Rachel Cousins delivered luminous vocals that filled the vaulted ceiling, fresh off the national buzz of her CBC Top 100 single. The Navigators brought humour and heart, the kind of performance Scott joked could “make even the Grinch have a good time.” Carolina East commanded the stage with power and presence, while Summer Bennett debuted new work alongside the youth band With Violet, adding a vibrant, contemporary edge to the lineup.

Rounding out the bill were standout performers including Will Carter, Angie Bohlke, David Fitz, and Jonathon Reid, who opened with the Trinity Hall Choir. Among the evening’s most memorable moments was the appearance of young vocalist Julia Dawson, whose warm tone and poised presence, captured in a pre-show portrait session, revealed one of the region’s emerging voices.

Opening the show was the beloved Trinity Hall Choir, a multigenerational group proudly wearing matching red shirts and setting the tone for a sold-out evening of celebration.

For Erin, this lineup meant photographing diverse artists, lighting conditions, stage setups, and crowd reactions. It allowed her to capture the essence of a professional gig.

As the final notes faded and the last applause settled inside Trinity Hall, one thing was clear. This was far more than a Christmas show. It was a living classroom. It was a place where young creators learned to read a room, capture a moment, work under pressure, and document the beating heart of a community through story and image. Newfoundland’s music scene gave them the perfect backdrop. The artists gave them generosity and access. And Erin received hands-on learning through mentorship rooted in real industry practice.

For Brilliant Labs, this is exactly where learning happens. Not in theory, but in the middle of something real. Youth are given the chance to work in difficult lighting, navigate crowded settings, adjust to shifting stage cues, and take on the responsibility that comes with documenting other people’s art and work. They learn how to collaborate, how to observe, how to anticipate a moment, and how to tell a story through the lens.

Scott believes in the Brilliant Labs pedagogy that confidence cannot be taught in a classroom by itself. It develops when young people are trusted, supported, and placed in the middle of an experience that truly matters.

“When youth work beside me at events like this, they are not helping. They are learning what it feels like to be trusted with a real job. They learn how to treat artists with respect, how to move in a space without being noticed, and how to capture emotion in a split second. You can see them grow from shot to shot. That is why this work matters.”
Scott Legge, Brilliant Labs Program Specialist

And the youth feel the impact as strongly as the audience.

“I’ve loved working events with Brilliant Labs throughout the past three years. Without Brilliant Labs I would not have found my passion and love for photography. Through them I have photographed the Trinity Hall Christmas Show, MusicNL in St. John’s, the ECMAs, and many more amazing events. Thanks to Brilliant Labs, I have made life-long connections and friendships.”
Erin Blundon, Brilliant Labs Student Photographer

Cameron, who worked with Scott during MusicNL, shared the same feeling of momentum.

“Working with both Scott Legge and Brilliant Labs has really opened up the future for me. I have had the opportunity to go to many events and capture media that I otherwise would never have been able to do. Thanks to them, I am studying in film school to pursue the art of cinematography and I am thankful for everything.”
Cameron Bursey, Brilliant Labs Youth Media Creator

Opportunities like the Trinity Hall Christmas Show remind us that art, learning, and community are deeply connected. When young people are welcomed behind the scenes, they gain skills, purpose, and belonging. And when they capture Newfoundland’s artists through their own eyes, they help shape the cultural story that will be told next.

This is what happens when a tradition opens its doors. It becomes a place where the next generation can discover who they are, what they can do, and how powerful their creative voice can be.

Do you know a youth or teacher who is transforming STEAM learning through creativity and experiential projects? Brilliant Labs Magazine wants to share their story. Connect with us to nominate someone, contribute an article, or bring forward a project that deserves to be seen.