Helen Vosloo, the founder of Keiskamma Music Academy, is in the process of handing over her role as Head of the Music Academy.
Helen, who founded the Music Academy in August 2006, will now serve on the Keiskamma Board of Trustees.
Anthony Drake, who has been leading and managing the day-to-day operations of the Music Academy from Hamburg since May last year, will be taking over the role as Head and Manager of the Music Academy. Anthony's dedication and skills are impressive, allowing Helen to serve the Trust in a new capacity, pursue her studies at GIBS and her own flute playing.
Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Goldsmiths, University of London and a master’s degree in clarinet performance from Trinity Laban. In between these two degrees, he gained invaluable experience in arts administration as an intern with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and also in project management whilst working in the telecommunications sector. During and following his master’s degree studies, Anthony worked as a music teacher and lecturer. He has also performed with a number of UK orchestras and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in Durban as Acting Co-Principal clarinet. Anthony: “The Keiskamma Music Academy is an inspirational community in itself thriving on achievement, dedication and determination. My dream for the Music Academy is for it to grow and prosper, giving opportunities to other disadvantaged young people in surrounding communities, to be sustainable and maintain its high standard of music education. This means engaging heavily with local communities and the public at large and seeking exciting performance opportunities and projects with an emphasis on high quality teaching.”
We would like to extend our whole-hearted gratitude for the tireless efforts and care that Helen has devoted to the Music Academy's since it's inception and for her love for the community and children.
Helen: “I became involved with the work of Keiskamma Trust after having being transfixed with the Keiskamma Altar Piece, exhibited at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and at the University of Johannesburg. I approached Carol Hofmeyr in 2005 with the idea to start a music education programme for the children of the communities whom the Trust empowers. These 7 years of working close to full-time with the Trust have been life changing for me. I thank and honour the children (our students), their parents, our many dedicated teachers and volunteers over all the years and the infrastructure of Keiskamma Trust who have made this journey possible. I look forward to watching every student at Keiskamma Music grow as individuals and musicians."
The Academy continues to offer high quality instrumental tuition to over 100 students in 4 villages: Hamburg, Bodium, Bell and Lover’s Twist. We are very excited to shortly be moving into our new custom designed building in the village of Hamburg. We shall shortly be letting you know our plans for an inaugural celebration concert.
2013 was another landmark year for the Music Academy. One of our many highlights are our first two matriculants moving onto university: cousins Lihle and Nqophisa Mtshonisi are founder students and will be studying towards a BCom and BSc respectively. We are so proud of them! They credit the Music Academy with the discipline and confidence which it has taught them. Lihle and Nqophisa are 2 of the most successful matriculants of the 2013 class at their High School. They plan to continue playing flute, recorder and clarinet.
We will as always keep you updated on the progress of the Music Academy in this year ahead and we are grateful for all the Keiskamma Trust supporters who constantly encourage and partner with us to improve lives in the Peddie South District.
