Dangwa makes waves
Takes opera world by storm
Michelline Nawatises
Emily Dangwa did her undergraduate studies in opera and postgraduate degree in music performance at the University of Cape Town.
“My mother tells me that I used to sing everywhere and make noise in the house with pots and pans. I imitated soloists on TV, when I was as young as five. Music, specifically singing, is the only art form that focuses me and gives me peace, I was born to be a musician,” she says.
Among her major challenges is the lack of exposure given to classical music.
“It makes it difficult for people to want to follow you, until they hear you. Only through experiencing the art form does the audience begin to appreciate the quality and work behind the voice.”
According to Dangwa the country that provides the most opportunities to aspiring opera singers in Africa is South Africa, specifically Cape Town.
“Cape Town has the best opera school in Africa and they have yearly operas they put on at the Baxter Theatre and at Artscape, which have big followings.”
When asked what she does to keep her voice in a good shape, Dangwa said her voice has adapted to her lifestyle.
“I do vocal exercises, continuously stretching my voice up and down, working on its dynamics; so to sing opera you must train your body like an athlete, hence the nine years of formal vocal training,” she said.
To acquire the training required to perform opera at a professional level, one must enroll at a university, college or conservatoire. Your voice has to be guided by a skilled vocal trainer.
International exams need to be taken and practical performances need to be undertaken, to execute what you have learned.
Dangwa taught at a pre-primary and primary school for a year, teaching music as part of the curriculum.
She has been teaching at a Windhoek music academy for two years, giving piano, music theory and vocal training.
Dangwa prepares her ED Music Academy students for auditions.
One of the events her students take part in is Song Night, which gives then a platform every second month to perform.
Emily Dangwa did her undergraduate studies in opera and postgraduate degree in music performance at the University of Cape Town.
“My mother tells me that I used to sing everywhere and make noise in the house with pots and pans. I imitated soloists on TV, when I was as young as five. Music, specifically singing, is the only art form that focuses me and gives me peace, I was born to be a musician,” she says.
Among her major challenges is the lack of exposure given to classical music.
“It makes it difficult for people to want to follow you, until they hear you. Only through experiencing the art form does the audience begin to appreciate the quality and work behind the voice.”
According to Dangwa the country that provides the most opportunities to aspiring opera singers in Africa is South Africa, specifically Cape Town.
“Cape Town has the best opera school in Africa and they have yearly operas they put on at the Baxter Theatre and at Artscape, which have big followings.”
When asked what she does to keep her voice in a good shape, Dangwa said her voice has adapted to her lifestyle.
“I do vocal exercises, continuously stretching my voice up and down, working on its dynamics; so to sing opera you must train your body like an athlete, hence the nine years of formal vocal training,” she said.
To acquire the training required to perform opera at a professional level, one must enroll at a university, college or conservatoire. Your voice has to be guided by a skilled vocal trainer.
International exams need to be taken and practical performances need to be undertaken, to execute what you have learned.
Dangwa taught at a pre-primary and primary school for a year, teaching music as part of the curriculum.
She has been teaching at a Windhoek music academy for two years, giving piano, music theory and vocal training.
Dangwa prepares her ED Music Academy students for auditions.
One of the events her students take part in is Song Night, which gives then a platform every second month to perform.
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