Kuils River opera singer Christine Bam and an ensemble of five young singers will represent South Africa in Sweden on October 19.
Christine, 27, founder of the Voce Armoniche, says starting the choir was life-changing as most of her students are from disadvantaged backgrounds, including areas such as Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, Kuils River, Goodwood, Eerste River and Elsies River.
Giving them free lessons, she says, is her way of giving back to the community.
She teaches music at
JG Meiring High School in Goodwood every Friday at 4pm.
“I want the learners to have the same musical experiences I had when growing up because it keeps one away from the many ills affecting communities and it gives you time to grow as a person.”
While only five of her 46 students were chosen to go sing at the Singing People Together concert in Sweden, she says all of them “work extremely hard at being the best”.
She hopes the trip will open doors for other young music students.
Christine sings professionally for the Cape Town Opera Company and says she is proud not only of her achievements but those of her students as well.
Some of their achievements include winning gold at the Tygerberg International Eisteddfod and Namaqualand Eisteddfod.
The students have been holding fund-raisers for the R20 000 they each need for the trip, but with R95 000 in the bag, they are still R5000 short.
Christine is appealing to the public to help them.
Contact Christine at 083 621 8483 or email vocearmoniche@gmail.com if you can help.