SA: Self-taught pianist opens music school

Isaacs, who is a self-taught pianist, started playing professionally when he was 15 years old. Before opening the school in Mitchells Plain, which is known for high levels of gang activity and drug abuse, Isaacs gave lessons from his mother’s home where he saw an increased interest by community members to learn how to play musical instruments.

Now operating from Woodville Primary School, Isaacs’ Western Cape Music Academy offers affordable lessons in various classical and contemporary instruments.

“The transition has been good and viable because of space needed to accommodate the other instruments on offer,” Isaacs told Music In Africa.  

The move to open the school was a result of a multitude of enquiries he received from parents in his neighbourhood.

“The idea came about after a few people asked me if I offered lessons and I always declined because I was self-taught and never had formal training other than my uncle who showed me three chords on the keyboard,” Isaacs said, adding that he went on to receive formal training to improve the quality of his teaching.

To help make his dream come true, Isaacs was aided by the Small Business Academy (SBA) programme offered by the University of Stellenbosch Business School, ABSA Bank and the Distell Foundation.

The music lessons at the academy cost R350 ($27) a month and include violin, piano, drums, voice, guitar and electric bass. They are packaged into three courses: practical music studies, aural training and music theory.

“We do it for our community and for those who can't afford it,” Isaacs said. “Our teachers are graduates from Stellenbosch University or University of Cape Town, so the work that is being presented is of equivalent value to the overall music training market.”

Speaking about the value that music adds to society, Isaacs said: “It's another avenue of revenue for the unemployed, as there are restaurants and hotels that employ musicians and artists.”

The school recently opened a second branch in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, and Isaacs expressed his desire to expand even further.

“My vision is to have our own building, fitted for music classes to run a day programme because currently we are part-time as most students are either at school or working. We are working towards offering accredited higher certificates, diplomas and bachelor’s degree programmes, not just in music but in business, financial management and computer literacy,” Isaacs said.