South African Jazz Stories Ep 19: Community Music and Jazz Education in South Africa.

Join us as we celebrate the contributions made by individuals who have pioneered community music projects or who are recognized for their mentorship and influence in the music education journeys of South African jazz musicians across the country.

In this episode we celebrate the work of community music practitioner and university lecturer Felicia Lesch who is the Director of the Stellenbosch University Music Certificate Programme. Under her direction, this programme has grown to include satellite campuses, which include the Army Base in Youngsfield, Wynberg and other programmes in partnership with Elgin Learning Foundation, Mitchell’s Plain Academy of Music & the Arts and Athlone Academy of Music. Felicia Lesch is committed to arts for social change and her contribution to education has positively impacted the lives of several young South African musicians.

Facilitated by jazz educator and South African musician, Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis, Felicia is joined by Ramon Alexander - a graduate of the Music Certificate Programme under Lesch’s mentorship and currently a music educator in the same programme. Together they share their experiences and discuss the role of community music programmes in jazz education in South Africa today.