Masi Violin Outreach is a project which focuses on empowerment through music education. Masi Violin Outreach, a newly registered PBO was founded 16 years ago by Titia Blake and is currently run by Nadiah Mony.
It holds premises on the campus of non-profit organisation Masiphumelele Corporation (Masicorp).
As a teacher and leader, Nadiah Mony plays an important role in helping children of all ages avoid negative influences on the streets and instead get them into a classroom where they can learn a different skill, be stimulated and be empowered through music.
Music lessons are considered a privilege but Nadiah believes it is a human right. This human right is about the power music has and about the opportunity to learn to play an instrument – giving children a chance to learn to play a challenging instrument (a violin), explore their creativity, dream bigger and grow as an individual overall.
“There’s something powerful about giving the youth something that they are in control of, they have choices in this world, it’s their expression, their journey”.
Masi Violin is run by Nadiah Mony who was mentored by her teacher of many years; Titia Blake. Six years ago Titia asked her to come help the children at Masi Violin to learn how to read music. Nadiah started by teaching students individually and helped them with reading and theory, which quickly grew into taking more groups.
The students are put into groups according to age and level. The music is arranged in 3-4 parts so that everyone learns about playing a special role in each song and learns to work as a team. The camaraderie is truly unique as kids encourage each other and grow more confident by the week. Many of them form strong friendships, help one-another and busk together.
When Nadiah first started teaching violin in Masiphumelele she was unaware of the initial impact it would have. She soon realised how much kids needed this and that it was much more than just learning to play music.
The younger group of children that had started, barely spoke or lifted their heads. They were scared, shy and didn’t know how to act with Nadiah or one another. Two weeks later and these children are walking in smiling, laughing and holding their heads up high.
They currently teach 50 children and classes run every Monday and Thursday afternoon. In 2024 they will accept 14 new children into the programme. This will bring their total students to 64. The classes offer a space where social inclusion and cohesion manifest through working together. Through music they foster creativity, emotional stability, development of intellectual capacity and self-value.
Masi Violin is proud that recently, 2 alumni students who came through the programme and who have been playing violin for 11 years, Ayabonga and Onke are now training to become teachers!
The primary goal of this new initiative within Masi Violin is to establish a sustainable and self-perpetuating model by training alumni to become proficient teachers. The initiative aims to create job opportunities for talented musicians within the community and ensure the long-term success and continuity of Masi Violin Outreach programme.
Nadiah is a force of nature and a real Matriarch leader, giving children opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have.
She says “Everyone here has a value and a purpose and belongs”. Her love and dedication to Masi Violin goes above and beyond and we admire her enthusiastic, warm and positive nature.
Thank you Nadiah for the work you do. We hope others will share your story, we are sure it will inspire so many. We will continue to support Masi Violin and share their work, and hope you’ll get involved too.
