Dream For the Future

Allow me to dream for a moment...with no boundaries, no criticism...just to dream. If you could dream of a future for your nation, what would it look like?

Every family has a home.

Every child has food.

Every child is love and cared for. Every child is safe.

Every child goes to school and has access to the best education.

Every child has hope, and has value placed on their lives through loving relationships with the people in their lives. Every child has the opportunities and support they need to become who they were meant to be and fulfill their life's purpose.

Communities come together and strive to bring about change - uniting for change on the premise: Every child is our child.

A nation who shares, because they understand that its in giving that you receive. A nation that works together for the common goals of firstly our children being taken care, then our communities' needs being met. A nation that works to take care of the homeless, the old, the young person without hope for their future. A nation that is not scared to stand up, and get our hands 'dirty' by stepping out of what makes us comfortable, and meeting the need of someone we encounter, or taking the time to have that conversation with someone who needs it - to learn or be encouraged.

If we can raise a strong generation - a generation that is culturally aware and does not hold prejudice, a generation that has hope...then we can construct a future.

The things you teach a child from young, rarely departs from them - teach a child to hope, and to love. Teach a child to dream. Teach children the importance of working together and being part of a bigger picture- that we are stronger standing together than scattered and just taking care of 'me and mine'. Teach a child to share. Teach a child that she/he is valuable.

This goes beyond just music or social organizations- this speaks to people. This speaks about a movement of change, a re-awakening that realizes that our children ARE the future. This speaks to organizations, businesses, education, government, and most importantly ordinary people- this speaks to every sphere of our nation. A nation that realizes the significance of standing together, supporting eachother - because after all it's not about us - it's about paving the way for the next generation, for our children, and children's children. 

This battle is not just our governments', our community leaders', our schools' or even our churches'/religious groups': this is a personal fight for all of us. When you lean in to help with social transformation and development in your community, and therefore your country - you contribute to the future of your own children and family.

Every child is OUR child.

"Build as if you are building for your own children..." Erik Holmgren, a leader I respect and who inspires me, made this profound comment once when I was in the Sistema Fellowship at NEC. I will never forget this sentiment, because it is so true, and so necessary. 

"Because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do". - Steve Jobs

Sunshine and greetings from LA...

Greetings from LA...

I trust that you are well and that you enjoyed your festive season. I hope that your year ahead is a meaningful one, and that the dreams in your heart for this year come to fruition.

I am excited about the year ahead - It's going to be a good year. It has been great to spend the last 6 months in Los Angeles. When people said that there is no winter here, I thought they were exaggerating, but they were right (to my big surprise!). So, during this festive season, I have been exploring different parts of LA, such as Venice Beach, downtown LA, Griffith Park and Observatory, and LA museums. I have also spent my time writing a mini concerto for flute and orchestra called "Remember, South Africa", which is about remembering our freedom, and will be played as part of my final music project.

“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” Phil Collins

This quote summarizes my experiences of the last few months as part of the Masters of Arts in Teaching Program. The highlight, for me, is being immersed everyday in the YOLA (Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles) at HOLA El Sistema program, which has an incredible family-like culture of positivity, love and excellence. Every MAT student is both a mentor and a mentee, creating a unique cycle. In the picture above, I am playing alongside YOLA students in the wind band concert at the Disney Hall Amphitheatre.

Another highlight has been watching the Los Angeles Philharmonic rehearsals and concerts. We have observed conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel, Bramwell Tovey, Itzhak Perlman and Esa-Pekka Salonen. This interesting juxtaposition of being submerged in an El Sistema program, and being exposed to the work of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and how the partnership between these entities functions has been both fascinating and inspiring. 

In this coming term, I will be coaching a woodwind chamber group, organizing team building activities for students at YOLA, helping to mentor a student leadership group and to prepare students for their side-by-side concert with the Simon Bolivar orchestra from El Sistema, Venezuela. At this concert, they will be playing Tchaikovsky repertoire together with the Simon Bolivar orchestra. I will also begin to do research around the positive impact of music on children's growth and lives, as well as what combining youth development and the arts looks like.

These pictures were taken when some of my MAT colleagues and I played alongside YOLA students at various concerts and events. Our time with YOLA students are always fun and inspiring.

I would love to hear about how you are doing, and any thoughts on the topics I am researching are most welcome.

Warm Regards,

Monique