'What they're providing here is super' - Aspiring composer student at Bridges for Music Academy

Kfm 94.5's EB Inglis speaks to aspiring composer, Thando, from the Bridges for Music Academy.

Listen below:

In April, Kfm 94.5, in partnership with Primedia Cares, announced a transformative collaboration with the Bridges for Music Academy—a non-profit organisation that has become a beacon of hope for young creatives in Langa since its founding 12 years ago.

With a holistic approach to education, the academy offers programmes in electronic music, digital literacy, mindfulness, and entrepreneurship—empowering the next generation of artists and innovators with the skills they need to grow both personally and professionally.

Among them is Thando, an aspiring composer who joined the academy with no prior musical background, but a deep desire to pursue music. Since enrolling, her world has expanded in ways she never imagined.

Thando shares that her journey into music production and composition started off as “daunting,” but has ultimately been deeply rewarding, filled with valuable lessons and personal growth along the way.

"I don't come from a musical background... it's a passion and a feeling I've carried through. So, there was never any formal training of music, this is the first formal training of music.

- Thando, Student - Bridges for Music Academy

"So far, it's been a daunting experience, learning a new skill can be very frustrating. In my first year, it was my first time learning FL which is FrootyLoops, it's a system where you can do the whole programming of a bit and then you can incorporate chords and make melodies... that has been a daunting experience... very frustrating every day, but as time goes by, you get excited and you keep on doing it more, you learn and you get better at it."

- Thando, Student - Bridges for Music Academy

"What they're providing here is super, and it's such a great ground basis for you to teach yourself."

- Thando, Student - Bridges for Music Academy

Thando shares that the greatest lesson she's learned at the academy so far is that composing isn’t just about understanding how different instruments work together to create music.

The real twist, she says, has been discovering that her natural ear—her ability to hear and recognise notes, chords, and melodies, and then guide them into a cohesive sound—has been her true strength all along, and something she's now learning to fully embrace.

After graduating from Bridges, Thando hopes to become a music composer producer and DJ... and we're rooting for her!

"I'm a sucker for great, quality music... it needs to be rich, I would love to venture into composing."

- Thando, Student - Bridges for Music Academy

If you've got a love and passion for music that needs nurturing, enrol your kids into the academy by clicking here.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.