Muzukidz
Principal teacher & Organisation
Muzukidz is a non-profit organisation and is headed by Director and Principal Teacher, Mrs Maria Botha. She has a long history of teaching at primary schools based in Nyanga, Langa and Gugulethu which gave her a deep insight and understanding of everyday life in township communities.
A number of learners who are still continuing with violin lessons since 2015 are now members of the Cape Town Philharmonic Music Academy orchestras and many got bursaries and entries into high schools which would otherwise not have opened their doors to accept their applications - had they not been in possession of good results for their violin achievements. To date, said learners have also been invited to perform at numerous special functions and prestige concerts.
Learn how to play the Violin with MUZUKIDZ
A unique Violin learning programme, MUZUKIDZ, is offered on the grounds of GHSJS. The teaching is based on the world-renowned Suzuki Violin School-method and since 2015, all learners who entered Grade R at GHSJS have been introduced to the programme - with some already in high school now and still carrying on with Violin lessons. To date, the Muzukidz project has given over 500 learners this opportunity and around 200 are actively playing in the programme. This opportunity is also offered at Settlers Park Primary School in Gqeberha.
How it works
Each year, all incoming Grade R’s automatically qualify for a three-month introduction to playing the Violin. Lessons are free and learners get an opportunity to handle the instrument on a daily basis. After the introduction period, an assessment is made to establish which learners will qualify to continue in the programme. Then Muzukidz starts a relationship with related families and the qualifying learners are given the opportunity to continue with Violin lessons, should families agree to cooperate and adhere to the conditions of attendance and ongoing tuition.
Why study a musical instrument?
Music ignites all areas of a child’s development and skills for school readiness, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. Learning to play a musical instrument is also likely to improve mathematical learning, even increased school marks. Music education affects a child's listening skills and auditory health and playing an instrument helps children develop sound discrimination abilities, which is crucial for auditory processing. Heightened auditory awareness is beneficial in music, everyday language skills, and listening environments. Click HERE to read an interesting article about how a child’s brain is developing through playing music.
For more info, visit www.muzukidz.co.za or https://www.facebook.com/muzukidz/
