This week, National School of Arts students were granted what they called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be mentored by internationally acclaimed artist Msaki (Asanda Lusaseni). This, as the students attended a workshop moderated by Msaki ahead of the Jazz for Young People, courtesy of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, set to take place on Saturday, 25 July.

The 2022 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music recipient educated the teenagers about the range of career paths available in music, including business and administration. She engaged them on the impact of social media in propelling independent artists, cautioning against these spaces sometimes hindering growth, as the absence of a team of humans sometimes means there is no one holding you accountable.

“It is important to know which creative season you are in because sometimes you rest when it is actually your season to reflect, and sometimes you struggle to understand why you are struggling to create, while in reality you are actually supposed to be hibernating,” she said.

Msaki also unpacked open and closed creativity [open creativity is exploration driven and embraces all things without pressure or judgement, and closed creativity is more intentional and goal-driven, limiting the time for mistakes], sharing that her best creations are made when she embraces silence.

Student reflections and take aways

Learning to ask for help, navigating financial constraints, and knowing who to trust were some of the biggest takeaways for NSA student Ofentse Oliphant, who eagerly raised his hand on multiple occasions during Msaki’s workshop. Schoolmate Akhona Hlongwane said, thanks to the award-winning musician who captivated audiences at the National Arts Festival last month, she now has a deeper understanding about intentionality and knowing why she wants to make music later in life.

Nthati Mokotedi said Msaki’s workshop cemented that she is on the right path with her aspirations to become a music psychologist in the future, sharing that she felt even more inspired to combine music with her interest in healing people through dialogue.

The students are currently studying music theory in class—which they will put into practice at Saturday’s event. “Events like this prepare us for the real industry. Doing it practically gives us a chance to see if we are able to use all the musical terms we have learnt in class to communicate better with the band,” said Oliphant.

Reflecting on previous editions of the event, Shai Matome said, while a level of expectation has been set, the theory that NSA teaches in class helps to alleviate the pressure. “I see it as an opportunity to develop myself and to grow as a performer,” Matome added.

The students look forward to the relationships and potential future collaborations that will emerge from the event, as they will be joined by Khutlo Tharo School of the Arts, University of the Witwatersrand’s Music Department Jazz Band, Central Johannesburg TVET College’s Music Department, Pro Arte Alphen Park Performing and Creative Arts High School, and other schools of specialisation in the arts.