The vision for the Keiskamma Music Academy is to uplift the quality of life of vulnerable rural children of Hamburg and surrounds by creating opportunities through a musical education. The opportunity to learn to play a music instrument has huge long term benefits: together with the new skills students acquire, there is the empowering sense of fulfillment and achievement that comes with the creation of something beautiful.

"The Keiskamma Music Academy was initiated by me, Helen Vosloo in August 2006. I worked in a Finnish Chamber Orchestra some years ago, and upon returning to SA, felt that I would need to play a role to extend the privilege and necessity of a music education to those children who have previously been denied it.

Hamburg is isolated, with few opportunities for the youth. Many social problems such as teenage pregnancies, boredom, unemployment, alcoholism, HIV infection, and school dropout prevail. Unless programmes are developed in the area for the youth, their outlook on life is limited, their options are few, and the chances of them slipping through the cracks and becoming another hopeless statistic are enormous.

The opportunity of a music education offers very tangible employment opportunities for a school leaver. Then there is also the aspect of creating meaning and restoration and the proven therapeutic value that music and a music education has.

The relationship with the parents and their pride and interest in their children’s success is a personal highlight for me.

We measure our success not only in the exams passed (many of which are with distinction), the gold certificates at Eisteddfod or the standing ovations at concerts. Our success is also measured in the personal growth of our students.

We are inspired by the work of the Keiskamma Art Project and owe our being to their inspiring works. The Music Academy has a unique sound voice that has been nurtured and developed by numerous visiting teachers who enable the children to make music outside the strict confines of the genre, “classical music”. Together with this opportunity for free improvisation, the skills base of the children is being extended. We have incorporated playing indigenous Xhosa instruments including uhadi bow, djembe and marimba as part of our ensemble.”

Helen Vosloo - Music Academy Founder