Why am I doing this?

Hi everyone,

Hope you are having a lovely festive season. I thought I would give you an update on the rest of my first semester in Boston. The last three and a half months have been both exciting, and contemplative adventure.

I have learnt many invaluable lessons, and my learning has taken place in three ways: by the classes we have had, by experiencing programs and seminars/symposiums, as well as from the many conversations I have had with various people, including my fellow fellows. Some of our classes, which have been very informative are: strategic planning; philosophy; public speaking and presentations; the connection between music and cognitve skill development; research, assessment and evaluation; logic models; student-centred learning and professionalism. We have also visited many Sistema-inspired programs in Boston and along the East Coast.

In the last two weeks, I have been to a Symposium entitled "Breaking the Fourth Wall" in Philadelphia, which was divided into two tracks, leadership and teaching. I was part of the leadership track led by Beth Babcock (CEO of a charity called Crittenton Women's Union), and my role as a Sistema fellow was to record the many discussions that took place. Areas of focus were: starting programs, finances and funding, assessment and organizational structure. This conference was an insightful learning experience because the leadership really managed to create a culture of sharing candidly about experiences- both strengths and weaknesses, good and bad decisions, failures and triumphs. The people leading these sessions were Sistema inspired program founders: Dan Trahey (OrchKids), Stanford Thompson (Play On, Philly!) and Rey Ramirez (Soundscapes).

The final night of the symposium, we attended the Simon Bolivar Orchestra concert, which was conducted by Gustavo Dudamel (now also conductor of Los Angeles Philharmonic). This was the first time I saw this El Sistema orchestra in concert- it was an amazing experience. They play with such energy and with zest. There were some astoundingly beautiful musical moments that literally took my breath away. In the break, I also met Dr Jose Abreu, who is the founder of El Sistema, and who I admire very much. I was lucky to see the orchestra play at Carnegie Hall in New York a couple of days later- and because I was sitting further away (ok, last row on the balcony:-), I saw how they physically moved as an orchestra- with such passion, and this truly enthuses the music. In New York, we attended a dynamic and historical session, where Dr Abreu was on a panel together with Leon Botstein (Conductor and President of Bard College) and Gustavo Dudamel. Many profound statements were made!! I walked away overwhelmingly inspired. Then finally, we helped out at a seminario hosted by Carnegie Hall and St Luke's Orchestra which brought together children from five Sistema programs in New York to play in a massive orchestra. Members of the Bolivar Orchestra came to coach the children. It was amazing to see young men, who play in a professional orchestra teach with such energy, love for the children and music, as well as a complete belief in the children's ability to play well, and that learning music is a life changing experience! Wow!!!

In the last two weeks of my residency, I visited OrchKids in Baltimore, and had a great time getting to know the staff and leadership team. One of the things I learnt from watching Dan Trahey in action is the importance of gaining the balance between really knowing the children in your program, knowing the community and their families, with being able to advocate for your program in a way that is understandable and meaningful to anyone and everyone. I then went to Philadelphia and had a awesome time visiting the Play On, Philly! Program. From Stanford Thompson, I learnt the value of having a well thought out plan and vision for your program, as well as the importance of having good teachers. I then proceeded to Washington DC where I met with a lobbyist from the League of American Orchestras and had an interesting discussion about how reforming and causing change in legislature regarding arts education is approached in the USA.

Before embarking on my residency, I met with a social entrepreneur, Hubby Jones, who has for over fifty years built many non-profit organizations that deal with challenging social issues such as racial tension. One of these organizations that really fascinate me is City Year where young people dedicate a year of their lives to playing a hands-on supportive role in underserved public school classrooms to help children with Maths and Language Literacy. This is what we desperately need in South Africa- it was great to find out that there is a branch in Johannesburg. Another organization that he founded is Boston Children's Chorus, a choir that focuses on racial integration. Mr Jones was the dean of social work at Boston University for 16 years. At our lunch meeting, I boldly asked him if I could shadow him when time permits, and he said yes! I am really hoping that he becomes one of my mentors as I embark on doing similar work in South Africa.

Recently, in a conversation with one of my fellow fellows, Andrea Landin, where we were throwing around ideas in preparation for speeches we had to present at a donor reception, she said something profound. We were speaking about why we are doing this work - and she really shed light on this question for me. She said that the question can be viewed in 3 ways:

Why am I doing this?
Why am I doing this?
Why am I doing this?

It is a good question. One that I have asked myself countless times. I am just beginning to answer these pressing questions for myself  as I dig deep into my own thoughts, journeys and life. As I glean from the robust field that already exists in this work, and from the many conversations and learning experiences I have had, I am realizing that the parts of this question that speak about using music as the vehicle to tackle some of our major pressing issues such as poverty, race and gender inequality, youth violence, school drop-out rates, gangsterism and even literacy levels has an ever-evolving and still developing answer. However, I do not think that this is an entirely new concept.

As to why I am wanting to do this, especially when I have spent practically 6 years studying how to become a Jazz and Classical Flute performer? My answer is two-fold: There is a great need in South Africa for something like this- not just necessarily through music- but starting to effectively address our social issues is an urgent matter. I believe that the answer lies in the education of the next generation- raising a generation of children who have a good self-esteem, are socially aware, and active in their communities. I saw this quote today, "It is easier to build strong children, than repair broken men (and women)", by Frederick Douglas. I agree.

The second part to my answer is simply this - I was born to do this. I cannot explain this feeling, but I just know that this is the 'point' of my life. I am getting to a place where the need I see becomes greater than my fear of failure or even my longing to be a successful performer. This is a time where everything in my life (my experiences, passions, failures, successes and enquiries) has shaped me to
embark on this very exciting, but challenging journey.

My favorites quote: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom". (Anais Nin)

Thanks for reading and therefore sharing in my journey!

Creating a Culture

These past two weeks, spent in the "Big Apple" have been exciting and fun, but also informative and thought-provoking. The first week was a rollercoaster of meetings: from the League of American Orchestras, Carnegie Halls' Musical Connections professional development sit-in, a brainstorming think-tank with St Lukes orchestra management, to the awesome Corona Youth Music Project in Queens and finally drinks with the daughter of Leonard Bernstein: Jamie Bernstein. What a week!!

The second week was a fun whirlwind of visits to various programs in New York: Union City Music Project, Third Street Music School Settlement and the Washington Heights and Inwood (WHIN) Music Project.

I learnt a great deal about some of the amazing work these organizations are doing in communities, what goes into developing these programs, and the planning, strategizing and hard work it takes to start and maintain these programs. The leaders and staff of many of these organizations and programs are inspirational, unrelentingly hard working and passionate, as well as humbly and openly willing to share what they have learnt and their "not easy, but very worthwhile" journeys of success. I also learnt about classroom management, being able to transition well when teaching, and about the dynamics of the different kinds of relationships built and interaction within these programs. I learnt about the importance of being able to phrase what you say well and aptly. However, what stood out to me the most, and the phrase that rang like a resounding gong in my head the entire 2 weeks, was "creating a culture".

Grappling with this gigantic, yet subtle concept was an interesting process for me, because the 'culture' of an organization or program is not a tangible thing. You will not find it on the webpage, in biographies or necessarily in the written mission, vision or goals. Yes, it might be described to a certain extent or you might read a semblance of what the organization would like its culture to be, or would like you to think its culture is. But you will not know until you walk into their building, and meet and engage with the people who are part of the organization and who spend their time there. This might not even be enough, you might need to immerse yourself in their world to understand what it is all about. However, whether we like it or not, first impressions are lasting impressions - although, they can also be very subjective impressions.

What I learnt was that every organization had a different feel, a different atmosphere, different kinds of people...a different culture. I thought of this image: wine tasting. I am not at all an expert at wine-tasting or in this field of social change through music, but certain things are not as much about expertise, as they are about impressions, intuitive perception, engagement and being able to candidly draw the invisible lines between these through common sense.

So, wine tasting...there are 4 stages: the appearance (label, glass, colour etc); the aroma (in glass); sensations (in mouth) and aftertaste (finish). These elements are combined to establish different properties of the wine such as character, potential and possible faults. Wine, unlike most other beverages has hidden subleties, nuances and complexities.

The appearance (and price) tells you about what you could expect from the wine. The power of suggestion is interesting, and the role it plays in our expectancies, as well as the assumptions we make, and conclusions we draw. This stage of wine tasting, I would correlate to what you read/research about organizations and the things you hear about organizations or people. Here, I learnt to not ‘judge a book by its cover’ or even by your expectations. We always need to dig deeper.

The aroma or ‘smell’ is closely linked to tasting the wine, and is your initial detections and exchange with the wine and its flavours and accents. This I would link to your initial interaction with people/person from the organization, before meeting them. This connection could be via phone, as a conversation or interchange of messages via e-mail. This is your pre-first impression, and could either present itself as an aroma or an odour, but until you taste it, you will not know for sure.

The third stage is sensations or tasting, and is when you will experience variations of sweetness, dryness, acidity or astringency. This, to me, is like your first actual meeting or experience with organizations, programs or people. There is something fascinating about this aspect of your impression - when a wine is abit off, not completely amazing, mediocre or not properly put together or confusing and difficult to place, you cannot always put your finger on why or what it is thats not quite right or doesn’t quite fit, or what the taste and accent at its core is. Its often too subtle. However, when a wine is good, from the inside out, at its core, a great blend and effective taste, well-crafted, thought-out with great care and genuine - you know it. And you don’t just know it - you feel it - beyond tasting or smelling it - you feel it in your heart, your soul and everything in you says, “Yes!”

We all have moments like these in our lives - when we meet a special person, or when we know we are in the right place, at the right time and doing what we were born to do. Sometimes its the moment that you realise that you are living a dream of yours, or a musical moment on stage that makes your heart explode and eyes shine with joy or a song that moves you to tears. It could be when you unexpectedly see beauty - beauty in places or people. Beauty in a child - in their smile, their joy or something spontaneously endearing that they do or say. Or sometimes its that moment when you are doing what you do everyday, and you realize that if given the choice, you would not be anywhere else in the world or do anything else- because what you are doing really matters - to you, and those around you.

This sensation and first experiential stage of your impression is just that - your first impression, your first sip. Most times you need to drink in and be soaked in the experience more to completely understand the subtle undertones, shades and intricacies. Even so, your initial impressions are valid and often led by the heart - and your heart often does say yes when it identifies greatness. Because when things are ‘good’ at their core and have the right intent - you know it, its undeniable. This goes for people as well - when you meet people who have their hearts in the ‘right’ place - you know it. This transcends what they say - because words can be deceiving - but you see this is what they do, and even more in how they do things and interact. And to me, this speaks about doing things for the right reasons, that you love/truly care about the people/children you do them for and that you realise that its not about you, your ego or building your ‘empire’ or reputation - but about living your life to help improve the lives of others.

Finally aftertaste is the overall impression and balance that lingers after tasting the wine. An indication of a good quality wine is a long, pleasing aftertaste. Its the same in life - there are people, places, things that make lasting and impactful impressions on our lives. These last in our memories and hearts because there was often something real, genuine and sincere about them.

My role is not to criticize, but it is to examine what I experience - to begin to analyze my expectations, my impressions, the things my hearts said “Yes!” to, and things that disappoint me. This process is important because only in doing this can I begin to build an image in my mind of what I would like to help build - and how I would like to ‘make a difference’ - a real difference, not just the appearance of a difference. By doing this - honestly and candidly - I also hold a mirror up to myself, and face, as well as grapple with, my own intentions, the impressions that I create, my ‘appearance’, the initial ‘smell’ I give, the ‘taste’ or experience I allow and the aftertaste I leave.

The questions is: are we intentional about these things? When you love doing something - you know that you love it - its almost inherent. After this is established, are we intentional about the culture we are creating - whether that is within an organization, institution, program, a group of people or within yourself. This does not just speak about what we present to the world, but what we actually do when doors are closed, and no one is visiting. Or how we truly interact with those who are part of our everyday lives and work. Can we recognize when we are giving off an odour or bad aftertaste? Do we even care? Can we ask ourselves questions like: "Did I even use the right grapes?" or "Are we planting the right seeds?" And are we teachable enough and humble enough to be willing to begin the journey of change if our discovery warrants it. These are difficult questions - questions I pose not just to the world, but to myself as well.

If I truly want to be part of the process of changing the lives of others, I need to be willing to initiate change in my own life or ‘house’ - where it is needed.

A recent newsletter entitled My Journey...

Dear Friends,

Hope you are well! I thought I would write this newsletter to keep you in the loop as to what is happening in my life. So please feel free to mail me and let me know about new developments in your lives. I would love to hear about it.

Wow! What a month it has been. I can definitely say that it has been mind-opening, thought-provoking, hair-raising, and inspiringly heart stirring. It feels like everything that I have learnt, experienced, struggled with, and been prepared for is all coming together in the journey that I am on right now. The ideas, thoughts and dreams that are growing in my heart and head are beyond me, and often feel like they are impossible to accomplish. However, I do know for sure that I am in the right place, at the right time and that my life has purpose (Just as yours does!). This is a good feeling...I have never experienced this before.

Let me tell you a bit about what I am doing here in Boston, Massachusetts. I am currently studying at the New England Conservatory of Music as part of the Sistema Fellowship (http://necmusic.edu/sistema-fellowship). This program studies the model of El Sistema, a Venezuelan program that uses music as a vehicle for social change. I am blessed to be able to spend my time with 9 other passionate and musically talented fellows who share a similar 'heartbeat' to mine. I have always had 2 passions: music and youth development. I have grappled with how I could join these 2 passions in a way that is successful and effects real change in the community and the lives of young people. While studying at UCT (University of Cape Town), my flute teacher, Bridget Rennie-Salonen introduced me to El Sistema. Awhile later, a close friend of mine sent me this link of Dr Jose Antonio Abreu winning the TED prize, and his wish for what he wanted TED to do (The sistema fellowship): http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html. Watching this video was a pivotal moment in my life. It was an emotionally charged 17 min for me (teary eyes, many resounding 'YES!'agreement cries, airpunches, and mouth hanging wide open moments) because everything that I had been grappling with regarding combining my two passions to effect social change, was articulated so eloquently by Dr Abreu. It was at that moment that I knew I not wanted to, but needed to learn more about this program.

So, here I am... and I am doubly blessed to be here because initially when enquiring about the program, I was told that it was only for Americans, and that it was not open to international students. However, I was determined get hold of the information, and was allowed to apply. I often feel like I am THAT fish that constantly swims up stream, not knowing where, when, where or how, but doesn't care because it instinctively knows it has to swim in that direction. I have a feeling that my life is going to be filled with these 'Salmon' experiences.

El Sistema uses the orchestra as a model for society, and helps children to realize they have value through group playing and musical excellence. It is said to be about passion first, perfection later. Children play in an orchestra as soon as they start playing an instrument. El sistema does not aim to grow soloistic performance musicians, but this is often a by-product of the hard work and dedication the students put into their playing. Typical programs run after school, 5 days a week for about 2 - 3 hours (as in, all the children come everyday for this amount of time). This in itself, is different to what we are used to. very few private lessons are given, especially in the early stages - everything is group/orchestral based. It has changed the landscape of music in Venezuela: from it being a society that reserved classical music for the rich elite, and had no orchestras that Venezuelans could play in, to it now have a booming classical music scene. It has now almost become part of the culture there to experience the arts through going to concerts, even in poor communities. There are over 105 youth orchestras and 55 childrens' orchestras. What really blows my mind is that it is and has always been funded by the social leg of the government. Many young people also receive stipends for being in the youth orchestras.

"Music has to be recognized as an agent of social development, in the highest sense because it transmits the highest values - solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. And it has the ability to unite an entire community, and to express sublime feelings" ~ Abreu

In this last month I have learnt so much, about the world around me, but also about myself. I have been exposed to many new concepts that keep me up at night trying to wrap my brain around how this would/could possibly apply to South Africa, and what it could look like. I am very aware that there are many other means to achieving social change (musical and other), and that this model is not the ONLY one that works - but it is a great one, that has been successful. I am also aware that there is so much amazing work in the communities already happening in South Africa. This work, whether it is in the form of music organizations or other, has been going on for decades, and are run by dedicated, passionate people who have given their lives to ensuring that young people's lives are changed and that the community is impacted. This is incredible and deserves standing ovations and resounding applauses- because funding for the arts is not plentiful, it never has been. And trying to effect change (especially for the good) is never easy. I realize I have a lot to learn, and that I am only at the beginning of my journey into this field of work. I believe that there is always more 'space' for work that involves social change - the 'market' can never be saturated. There is always space for change. Every child's life that is changed, given value to and given opportunity to makes this worthwhile. 

“The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work.”

Every child, every family, every community has a colourful and vibrant rainbow inside of them waiting to be noticed, explored and applauded. Its our responsibility to help them discover this. One of the classes I am in is about presentations, public speaking, powerpoints, interviews, and media interaction- and it has been challenging but so much fun! Tony Woodcock (President of NEC) takes this class and he always says that we need to tell our story. This is powerful, because we all have our own stories (filled with joys, pain, ups and downs). We need to realize that every child we teach or come into contact with also has their own story, and that we are actually helping to shape that story...what a priviledge, and at the same time what a responsibility. No, teaching is not something people do because they cannot make it as performers/or in other professions. Teaching is an art. We need to recognize this and it needs to be valued - as something that not only adds value to the person you are teaching, but to yourself simply because of the act of giving selflessly. It is something that everyone should be doing in some or other form: giving back.

I am excited to keep learning and growing. I will be embarking on a month-long residency later today. I will be going to New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington DC. The purpose will be to experience many Sistema nucleos, especially looking at how music in the early childhood phase is taught. I will also be meeting with a few arts advocacy organizations to learn about what it means to advocate for the arts, and how advocacy is approached in the US. I am really enjoying engaging my mind in this way, and being constantly faced with different concepts and ways of doing things.

Thanks for reading, and allowing me to share my thoughts and experiences with you.

I am looking forward to hearing from you, especially any thoughts on what I have written.

Take care,

Monique :-)

Music as a vehicle for social change

Music is a powerful medium that can be used to bring about change in our society, by transforming the lives of children as they engage in the process of learning. It is my desire to be a catalyst and active channel for this social metamorphosis through the arts. I therefore consider myself blessed, and am humbled and honored to be a Sistema Fellow, studying at the New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, USA).

The Sistema Fellowship is a programme that studies the model of El Sistema, a successful Veneuzelen movement, which uses music as a vehicle for social change. I am, however, learning that El Sistema is so much more than what we perceive it to be at face value. It is about caring enough to seek out the need in a community or life of a child, and then doing everything you can to meet that need. It is about building and being part of a network of people who understand the value of art being a crucial part of society, and who realize its social capabilities. The power of music, and its ability to bring young people together to work towards a common goal, greater than themselves cannot be accurately measured or placed into a neat "Ten steps to happiness" box - because the true transformation is not tangible. The fruit of the transformation can be measured, but not the transformation itself. This dynamic change occurs in the mind and heart of a child, when he or she finally realizes the potential and possibility that their lives hold. When a child gives him or herself the permission to dream further than their current existence and circumstances. When a child realizes that they have worth, have an important role to play, and that what they uniquely have to offer has intrinsic value. This is the life-changing paradigm shift that enables one to walk boldly into his or her purpose and dream...this is actually what dreams are made of.

Fundamental threads, that run through and join every El Sistema-inspired nucleo, provide a space and platform for this exchange and tender re-construction to occur. This consists of social change through musical excellence, the ensemble work as central to the experience, frequency of coming together multiple times a week to rehearse, the connectivity of the network of services and opportunities for students, and the accessibility of the programme to all - where it does not matter what race, creed, religion or social and financial background you hail from (To expand on this, see http://jonathangovias.com/el-sistema/blog-directory/). These threads are the foundation of every nucleo, but form only the outer framework of each masterpiece of social reform. Every tapestry is different, because every community is different and has different needs - this is the beauty of El Sistema. It is a movement more than a programme, a philosophy more than a teaching method. It becomes a way of life, and more than just an alternative to crime, drugs, gang violence and all the other disheartening perils that our communities deal with daily.

I believe that the educators and organizers who work so hard and tirelessly to give their best deserve the real standing ovation. It is through their willingness and capacity to build healthy relationships with the children they teach and share with, that give the process its true power. In this deliciously well-prepared curry, all the ingredients are crucial: we have the pot (framework and philosophy), the rice (teaching and learning), the source and meat (rehearsing and making music together) and then most importantly, you have the salt and spice. It's the teachers that give the spice and flavor to this nourishing curry- for a curry would not be a curry if not for its spice!

Again and again, I become aware of the stark need in our society for change - our society is 'broken', our communities are 'broken', our homes and families are 'broken'...and subsequently our children are 'broken'. I am therefore compelled to act, to give myself permission to feel enough compassion to  be part of this needed transformation - in whichever form or capacity. I am excited about this mind-opening and intriguing journey that I have just begun to embark on - it feels like I am living life 'wide-open', becoming unafraid as the need becomes greater than the fear of failure, realizing that I have a precious and beautiful gift to give: I can give hope and a sense of purpose to a disillusioned child, even in the face of adversity.

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom".  Anais Nin