Heard Instinct is a contemporary creative movement of young people from First Nations, Pasifika, and African backgrounds living in Yorta Yorta country in Shepparton, Numurkah, and Echuca. A series of workshops were held to develop skills in songwriting and to collaboratively write new songs with the options of recording and performing the new works they created.
The project provided a space where young people discussed ideas, issues, and visions for the future and built their own artistry, confidence, abilities, and networks. Multicultural Arts Victoria partnered with St Pauls African House to offer this opportunity to 10 young African people.
Program details:
-8 music mentoring workshops
-St Paul’s African House
54 Poplar Ave, Shepparton
Every Friday starting from 19th March – Friday 14th May 2021
5-7pm
- workshops facilitated by 4 young artists with supervision from St Paul’s African House staff.
The participants developed friendships, learnt songwriting skills and working in groups. The mentors helped many young people to build their self-confidence. Half the program was catered by a new local African Business – Culture Cuisine. The traditional Tanzanian, Burundian and Congolese food was delicious and enjoyed by all. Pizza was shared and enjoyed the remainder of the time.
The program ended with individual and group performances of original music at ‘A Taste of African Cultures 2021’ in front of a crowd of over 120 people. To listen to the group collaboration ‘Umoja’ see link below. LINK
Feedback from the participants included:
‘I wish this program could go on forever, I just don’t want it to stop’.
‘I want to be involved in any other program that involves singing. I have loved being part of it’
Feedback from the mentors and SPAH staff:
‘It was a good experience for the young people to develop their self-esteem and make friends’
‘One of the participants with communication difficulties found that through Heard instinct he could express himself through writing songs and singing’
