THE MUSIC INDUSTRY continues to experience growth and a boost after the rise of music schools in Rwanda. Elite Music Academy is a music school that opened recently in Kigali city. Located at Centre Saint Paul in Kigali, the academy opened with the aim to nurture Rwandan talents in music, especially music instruments. The academy currently offers piano and classical music lessons, in addition to providing an in-depth knowledge of music and sound correction. According to Jean Marie Vianney Mugwaneza the founder of Elite Music Academy, he had the idea to open the school after a long time of giving private classes to people in their homes. “I chose to have a school to help people who wish to pursue a career in music. I also wanted to reach many people, especially children. This will make it easier for everyone else who wishes to learn music as well as music instruments,” he said. Mugwaneza says the music school focuses on children who are at least 8 years old, but adults also imitate it because students take shifts in the study hours depending on the age group and the hours of study the student chooses when he or she chooses to enroll. Asked why he focuses on offering these music courses to the children particularly, Mugwaneza explained that children who learn music either to sing or to play some music instruments, it boosts their brain and they become proficient in reading, writing and numeracy. “Music helps children to socialize, to control their emotions, to express their emotions and to energize their brain. Learning music in their early ages also helps them to discover their talents,’’ he told The New Times. He further explained that music increases the brains ability to think positively and easily, increases joy and calm, reduces stress and depression, reduces pain, improves physical immunity, lowers blood pressure and much more. And that’s what inspired him to start by focusing on kids. Currently, the school has 20 students both children and adults who study music in different shifts based on their choice but preferably on weekends of which students pay an affordable price per month. The academy hopes to offer a one-year program and an official certificate after the candidate finalizes the course. Mugwaneza also highlighted that they require every student to own a piano and practice at least 15minutes every day. Students who cannot afford to own a piano are facilitated to access school instruments. Future plans According to Mugwaneza, among their plans to recruit professional music instrumentalists among others and to put a stone on Rwanda’s music talents. “I’ve been giving courses alone, but we are planning to recruit local and international musicians who will train and educate music,’’ he says. The academy also looks forward to adding many instruments and offer courses in primary schools in Kigali as well as secondary schools. Mugwaneza added that they plan to add guitar lessons too so that students will learn to play it as well as other music instruments. For 10-year-old Marvina Dalva Kayibanda , a student, music helps her to relieve stress. “I love music because it relieves me. When I feel unhappy or stressed, I sing or play musical instruments and it makes me feel at peace. Besides that, music also makes me super happy,’’ she says. “I like piano, I enjoy it a lot when I am in holy mass. My dream is that I will play that piano too when I grow up. That makes me happy when I am learning music,’’ says Issac Kuzwa Kageruka, an 8-year-old. Jean Marie Vianney Mugwaneza. Courtesy photos
