Keen on fostering the artistic growth of Namibian youth and trapeze them into a better future, the Thetardius Music Academy recently hosted about 10 youngsters in a brass music workshop in Windhoek.
The free workshop equipped participants made up of learners, out-of-school and employed youth with skills in music theory, rhythmic exercise, fingering techniques as well as individual and band playing.
Participants lauded the workshop for bridging artistic skills deficits.
Twapa Klemens started playing the trumpet three years ago but derailed along the way. She was looking for a platform to improve, and the just-concluded workshop came to her aid.
“This training helped polish my skills which I will apply to advance my vocation as an artist and play my trumpet professionally,” she said.
Devin Buruxa Nasab (17), who sought to recuperate after a two-year hiatus from music, said he gained valuable skills than just playing musical instruments.
“I learned self-discipline, ethics and integrity, which will help me in my personal development going forward,” he noted.
The founder of the academy, Thetardius Munjanu, said the aim is to reach communities where people with a passion for music do not have access to formal training and nurture them. “The training also incorporated life skills, to expose the aspiring artists to personal and fraternity professional ethos. Another key aspect is our commitment to combat drug and alcohol abuse, rampant among youth,” Munjanu added.
Founded in 2014, the academy’s training and services are not limited to youth but have capacitated adults, upcoming artists, and church groups in various parts of Namibia. This ensures quality music production at all levels and environments.
In the meantime, the academy has established strategic partnerships with key institutions and fellow artists to empower more people and foster community artistic growth.
“For this workshop, we collaborated with renowned artist Björn Roxin, who took some time out of his schedule to work with the students. The Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre also supported the workshop,” Munjanu shared.