Every child should be making music.
That's the belief of travelling musician and teacher Tom Tjafien, who has been the guest of Kingswood College.
Every child should be making music.
That's the belief of travelling musician and teacher Tom Tjafien, who has been the guest of Kingswood College.
The composer, song writer and lyricist is a teacher by profession in Olympia, Washington, US. Tjafien aims help children hone their musical abilities, as he guides them through different themes. In an interview with Grocott's Mail just after a workshop with a group of Kingswood pupils, he was emphatic that music isn't just for the special few.
"Music is something that every child should do to express themselves," he said.
Trained in both psychology and music, Tjafien formed The Rock Ensemble made up of school pupils. They performed across the state of Mississippi and opened for and met BB King.
"My students were a source of both challenge and inspiration for me. They constantly taught me lessons about patience, grit, love, and the joy of expressing yourself through music," he explains on his website.
Following a song writing project in Armenia, he created, 'Our Song: Workshop World Tour. It was a musical journey to nine countries, "teaching, documenting and sharing how young people express themselves through song".
Tjafien said this week that it had been a great experience to travel and see different cultures, and interact with young people eager to learn.
In Friday morning's session, Tjafien showed pupils techniques to develop their own songs. Music teacher at the school Marni Van der Westhuizen said Tjafien's visit had been a great opportunity for pupils.
"He has a great approach to teaching learners at different levels and they are enjoying it so much," said Van der Westhuizen.
Tjafien has so far worked with pupils from Grade 3 to Grade 10. Kingswood College is the sixth school Tjafien is visiting on his worldwide tour. He will leave for his next destination on Wednesday.
