Interview with Adele Potgieter, Founder of The Music Academy
Here at ShowMe Plett, we had the exciting opportunity to interview the founder of The Music Academy, Adele Potgieter. In our meeting of laughs and chatting, a lot was uncovered as to what The Music Academy is and the role they play in making Plett a better place.
What is The Music Academy, what was the reason for starting it up?
The reason for starting up the Academy was inspired by my involvement in worship teams. I realised that there was no time to work on individual skills in band practice, I also wanted to begin something that would prove to be a positive influence in the Garden Route.
How many years has The Music Academy been going?
The music academy has been running for 6 years now which is unbelievable.
What does The Music Academy offer?
The Music Academy teaches a variety of subjects and instruments ranging from piano, guitar (electric, bass, acoustic), keyboard, drums, flute, saxophone, violin, recorder to vocal training, sound engineering and music theory.
TMA also offers musicians for gigs, weddings, funerals, private parties or any events where musicians are wanted and needed.
What are your long term goals for The Music Academy?
I would love to be able to say that The Music Academy has hosted a year in one’s life in the music and arts. The main objective is to target the youth and teach them to be the performers and teachers of tomorrow.
We encourage young musicians to begin writing their own music, raising the performers of tomorrow.
Are there exciting and upcoming events The Music Academy is involved in?
Recently we have had one of our singers, Simone Fourie (age 11) perform for the Agricultural Association. We at The Music Academy, give students the opportunity to perform live, we aim to raise artists, performers and teachers of tomorrow.
We are also involved in the current Tshisha Talent events. We are having a “flash mob” of our Community Choir at Le Fournil on the 28th March at 10h00, where they will be performing for their customers.
The Music Academy also has a couple of weddings to perform at during April and September.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I am a very firm believer in “people above function” – I am a completely passionate peoples person. I was also in partnership with the Medical Association of South Africa. I am qualified to give courses in medical training and in the ICD10 – which is the alpha numeric code for corresponding doctors and medical aids. So my life’s purpose and passion (2 P’s) is all about the 2 M’s (Music and Medicine)!
I have also recently got married to my best friend, and I am so happy and so blessed with the support and friendship with the people of the Plett community.
What drives you to continue teaching at The Music Academy?
I personally enjoy seeing the growth within the musicians the academy teaches. I love building relationships and connections with both students and teachers.
Why did you want to start teaching music?
I wanted to share my love and passion for music and impart this to others. I wanted to encourage musicians and teach them to a point where they grew past me.
What would The Music Academy like to say to the people of Plett?
If you have a love for music and would like to come and have a free lesson to try it out, young and old, come in a group, come individually, don’t hesitate, be aware of the affect music can have on your life.
We love to make your dream a reality – one example of this; an elderly man had a desire to make a CD of songs that he wrote for his grandchildren and future generations to come in his family. This way he will always have an impact on his family’s lives, whether he is there or not.
One of our teachers, Leigh Dunn teaches music to children who have special needs, and he has just received an award for the best special needs teacher in the country!
The Music Academy also has private sponsors, we work on talent and with people who have the passion for music, but cannot afford to attend The Music Academy out of their own pockets. One of the Sponsors is Jane Donald, who has brought in three guys from Kolweni and is teaching them and involving them in musical activites.
What is your most memorable experience with The Music Academy?
The first concert that The Music Academy had was at the Barnyard, and the turnout was incredible. Someone from the barnyard said that the numbers of attendees were higher than when Watershed came to town, which was a frightening and exciting statistic for us, but the most memorable of the entire experience, was seeing the students of The Music Academy perform and feel the satisfaction of performing and nailing what they had practiced for so long.
What would be your advice to a aspiring musician?
Practice, Practice, Practice and then, practice some more. The key is to make it regular and never ever give up on what you want to achieve, always pursue your dreams. I have always said, “Music is the language of the heart”.
What do students receive after completing a course with The Music Academy?
Firstly, The Music Academy has International Accreditation; namely: Trinity Guildhall of London, and the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music. Both are based in London, England.
Two or three times a year, International examiners come to South Africa, to our small town of Plett to adjudicate.
Students take part in grades, the lowest being one, the highest being eight. The adjudicators judge the students’ performances and give them a certificate which accredits the student internationally.
Last year, over 40 of our 110 students took part in the academy examinations.
To register and book your first lesson click here
The Music Academy, is not a school, it is a place where music is the language of the heart, where students of any age, are encouraged to further their musical gifts and accomplish their dreams with help from the professionals at the academy.
If anyone would like to make a donation or become a sponsor, please contact me; Adele Potgieter at 083 957 3241 or email me at: info@themusicacademy.co.za
Bank Details:
The Music Academy
Standard Bank
Account Number: 282029508
Branch Code: 051001