AP Residents Inspired Through Music

AP residents perform, playing traditional Khmer

music with unique Cambodian musical instruments.

  In this Courtyard Newsletter we celebrate the creativity of the AP residents in their study of Music.  In 2011 all AP residents participated in the study of traditional Khmer music.  The children learned the fundamentals of reading music and playing various Cambodian instruments. They put their learning to the test with performances to audiences at events with other local NGO’s and at some AP Family Nights in front of their family and friends. 
  This year the Music classes will be smaller.  Now that each resident has had the opportunity to learn the basics, nine of the AP residents have been inspired and committed to developing their music learning further.  These classes will be more focused as the residents learn intricate techniques of Cambodia’s ancient traditional Khmer music – a unique style of music taught to very few people in Cambodia, alongside some modern techniques as well. 
  The music program is taught by Mr. Sinat Nhok who works with Cambodian Living Arts, an organisation with a mission to support the revival of Cambodian traditional art forms and to inspire contemporary artistic expression.  He has unique talent and skill in the training of classical Khmer wedding music and motivates the Aziza’s Place residents to develop their creative musical talents, to share his dream to keep traditional Cambodian music alive and for this music to be in the hearts of Cambodian people for future generations. 
  Once again we thank Peter Mayer and April Johnson who raised funds through their network of friends to establish and continue the Music program, and to Kirsten Caufield whose support has enabled the AP music program to continue into 2012.

Khmer Music Program Begins, Combines Music and Heritage

Thanks to the efforts of Peter Mayer and April Johnson, eight Aziza's Place students began a traditional Khmer music class in August. The program is taught by Mr. Sinat Nhok who works with Cambodian Living Arts, an organization working to revive traditional Cambodian art forms. Mr. Sinat is highly trained in classical Khmer wedding music, an ancient Khmer music style. Few Cambodians are trained in this style of music, offering a unique opportunity for AP students to learn an important part of their heritage along with experiencing the joy of playing an instrument.

Peter and April are dear friends of Nader Ebrahimi, Aziza's Place Co-Founder who passed away in March 2009. While volunteering at AP, they were working with Nader to fulfill their collective idea of giving the children access to music education. Peter and April have been eager to make this dream a reality in his honor. They reached out to their network across the United States and were able to raise the funds necessary for the music program for one full year. Their incredible efforts have brought the power and influence of music into our visual arts curriculum.