Read Pablo's story...Before this once in a lifetime opportunity with MwB, the only goal I thought I had achieved with the youth orchestra of San Pedro Perulapan, was how to correctly play a few scales along with a few popular songs. I didn’t realize that what AC was offering was hope, empathy, community, creativity, family, friendship, confidence, a voice! It is very hard to be heard when all these positive aspects of life are drowned out by violence, extreme poverty, corruption, broken families and lack of education or employment. A very difficult aspect of working in such a hostile environment is being able to stay focused and not turn into a sponge that absorbs all these negative aspects of culture that unfortunately Salvadoran families have to cope with on a daily basis. I will not lie and say that I haven’t been affected by the reality of Salvadoran life. It’s been a very challenging 2 years of my life but I can definitely say I am stronger, more thankful for what I have, and more resilient. I want to share a little of what MwB shared with me. The very important and vital Principles of Nonviolence by Martin Luther King. One of these principles says “nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. The nonviolent approach is not passive but active: it includes making choices and taking action that contribute to justice, peace and community-building. It’s the decision to act, despite risks and fears. Although it take courage, nonviolence can be and is practiced by ordinary people like you and me.”
Read Verena's story...My participation further allowed me to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to use music as a tool for nonviolence and healing. Being at the early stages of my career, it was extremely encouraging to see that a full-time profession in this truly meaningful nature of work can be a reality. I find myself motivated to take the steps towards building a sustainable career for myself in this space.
Read Raymond's story...The week also offered an exciting opportunity to interact intensively with musical peers from a hugely diverse range of backgrounds, all sharing their knowledge, stories & ideas with each other. Most importantly, all of this took place in a truly warm, welcoming and energetic space that was created naturally by everyone involved; trainers & participants quickly blended into a cooperative of motivated friends, all open and eager to absorb and impart as much knowledge as possible during this privileged window of opportunity. Whatever your level of musical experience and qualifications, this week has the potential to teach, refocus and inspire you anew.
Read Jungin's story...Music is powerful – fun and humorous as well as compassionate and spiritually healing. Thank you for stretching the muscles of my boundary of definition of music and musical creativity. A GOOD workout for my mind-body-and-soul. And the wonderful synergy of the loving and daring music healers that I spent a week with ! Thank you all for the creative wisdom and musical wit shared. My bottomless thanks and love to al
Read Christa's story...The MwB trainers’ non-judgmental approach created a safe space where I could take playful risks in learning, leadership, and creativity. This is a rare gift! The MwB TOT is a wonderful way to gain new tools for peacebuilding, expand your musicianship skills, and make lasting connections with talented, big-hearted musicians across the globe. Highly recommended!
Read Mirjam's story...To be part (if only for one week) of that idea, to be surrounded by that positive energy of solidarity, commitment, healing, creativity, reconciliation etc. made a deep impression. The trainers were highly skilled professionals and I learned a lot of how to make music without using instruments. By singing, and using my body as an instrument. And I had forgotten how it felt to make music, singing together as a large group: to feel part of a something bigger than me, to be uplifted, to feel connection and to feel the vibration of many souls reunited in one song and the power and joy released by that. I felt the power of COMMUNITY MUSIC!! I have been really inspired to use all the techniques, exercises and experiences of ToT in my own profession as a music therapist. I already began using some of the exercises I learned. ToT has also broadened my horizon and empowered me regarding offering music activities to refugees in Holland. I thank Musicians without Borders for this wonderful and deeply moving experience.
Read Valerie's story...I found the training, extremely well paced, very thorough, and really useful. With 360 degree teaching that built layer upon layer, with ever new depth and understanding as the week went on. Many thanks to the excellent facilitators, organisers for holding the space for us all with great care and integrity, and to all of the other participants for such a rich and invaluable experience. Big thumbs up for Akoesticum, what a beautiful environment to work rest and play in.
Read Sarah's story...I am still in awe at how much we have done and learnt in such little time. This training has given me so much, both on a professional and personal level, and I will carry the knowledge I gained everywhere I go. My advice to anyone who is thinking of doing it – go with an open mind and heart and with a thirst to learn and grow.
Read Brian's story...To break it down:
“Musicians without Borders uses the power of music to connect communities, bridge divides, and heal the wounds of war and conflict.” This is the basic statement that inspired all of us to apply, and the participants selected (from all around the world) turned out to be the most compassionate, talented, and energetic music people one could possibly imagine! The content was very well thought out from the beginning, and was also adjusted throughout the event to reflect the ongoing dynamics. The result was a living collective organism undergoing rapid and joyous growth towards individual and group empowerment. The presenters brought deep experience, proven skills, and an openness of spirit that testified in every way to the integrity of the organization and its purpose.
The largeness of the MwB vision can make it challenging for each of us to puzzle out just what comes next. I am probably not alone in hoping that I may one day be asked to join an important MwB overseas project. However the “connecting communities” aspect is one that is immediately available to all of us, and this workshop has provided me with many new concrete skills I can use right away. And perhaps most importantly, the entire group has established an ongoing network of shared resources, beginning with a careful summary (video, audio & print) of all that was accomplished during the training. I have every expectation that the human relationships created in these amazing five days will continue to support and delight me for a lifetime.
Read Cindy's story...It was also delivered by dedicated workshop leaders with a variety of styles and approaches combining theory and practice, listening and doing. They gave us so much to think about! I’m really excited to imagine all the ways I can bring what I learned from MwB into my own work with conflict and community music.
Read Amanda's story...I found that while working in (music) education and peace building, my emotional and pedagogical tools begin to show their wear and tear over time. I have participated in other projects with MWB that have helped to restock some of the tools needed so that I may continue working in this field. I firmly believe that I need to understand what I am using, how I am using it and where it came from. The ‘Training of Trainers’ allowed me to walk into the woods, plant the seeds, cultivate the growth and reshape the tools I can pass on to others the way some were passed onto to me. This was an opportunity for me to share as much as it was to learn and everything I do from this point on will benefit from it.
Read Maryana's story...A perfectly balanced program that includes both theory and practice. For my work, I am sure it will help spread the ideas to my country, Ukraine, that is currently also in conflict as well as develop our work with Syrian refugee children and adults in the framework of our ongoing project Global Week for Syria. Empower, trust, create, connect, dare, inspire, shine and lead – this is what the training is all about.
Read Nicoline's story...Understanding more and more about teaching profoundly in conflict zones. Meeting all these great musicians from all over the world. Talking, sharing ideas and creativity, jamming. A big hurrah and chapeau to Musicians without Borders for organising this first training with all these experienced and wonderful trainers who already dare to work in conflict areas! Very inspiring!!
Read Vita's story...I appreciate the basic attitude of everyone being involved in the course – we all shared our knowledge, experience and ideas with each other, despite your role as participant or organiser. Being among musicians, who believe in music as having a unique power of changing society and providing a safe space for an individual, had inspired me so much that I feel ready to share this energy with people beyond the course.
Read Janneke's story...
Respect to all who are there
coming from everywhere
around the globe
bringing hope.
Musicking maybe just to cope
with these feelings of anger, of grief.
What a relief:
they can be brief brief brief
Brief in their words, carefully chosen
just to suit the goal of their pursuit
which is building connection
or maybe, actually,
just to remind all who are there
that they are not alone.
They do not have to own
all the world, just to feel safe and respected and loved and
just basically appreciated for who they are.
A famous star is famous
for what it does,
not what it owns,
and our mistakes and our confusions
merely serve as stepping stones
To recover from this system that
suppresses expression of power,
of creativity and of caring with love.
As if we all are not safe,
As if we have to be tough
all the time, just to cope,
but Living Free is our hope.
Right?
To celebrate diversity and learn every hour.
Cause we connect with each other and with our own inner power!
Our own inner power.
Read Verena's story...My participation further allowed me to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to use music as a tool for nonviolence and healing. Being at the early stages of my career, it was extremely encouraging to see that a full-time profession in this truly meaningful nature of work can be a reality. I find myself motivated to take the steps towards building a sustainable career for myself in this space.
Read Jungin's story...Music is powerful – fun and humorous as well as compassionate and spiritually healing. Thank you for stretching the muscles of my boundary of definition of music and musical creativity. A GOOD workout for my mind-body-and-soul. And the wonderful synergy of the loving and daring music healers that I spent a week with ! Thank you all for the creative wisdom and musical wit shared. My bottomless thanks and love to al
Read Mirjam's story...To be part (if only for one week) of that idea, to be surrounded by that positive energy of solidarity, commitment, healing, creativity, reconciliation etc. made a deep impression. The trainers were highly skilled professionals and I learned a lot of how to make music without using instruments. By singing, and using my body as an instrument. And I had forgotten how it felt to make music, singing together as a large group: to feel part of a something bigger than me, to be uplifted, to feel connection and to feel the vibration of many souls reunited in one song and the power and joy released by that. I felt the power of COMMUNITY MUSIC!! I have been really inspired to use all the techniques, exercises and experiences of ToT in my own profession as a music therapist. I already began using some of the exercises I learned. ToT has also broadened my horizon and empowered me regarding offering music activities to refugees in Holland. I thank Musicians without Borders for this wonderful and deeply moving experience.
Read Sarah's story...I am still in awe at how much we have done and learnt in such little time. This training has given me so much, both on a professional and personal level, and I will carry the knowledge I gained everywhere I go. My advice to anyone who is thinking of doing it – go with an open mind and heart and with a thirst to learn and grow.
Read Brian's story...To break it down:
“Musicians without Borders uses the power of music to connect communities, bridge divides, and heal the wounds of war and conflict.” This is the basic statement that inspired all of us to apply, and the participants selected (from all around the world) turned out to be the most compassionate, talented, and energetic music people one could possibly imagine! The content was very well thought out from the beginning, and was also adjusted throughout the event to reflect the ongoing dynamics. The result was a living collective organism undergoing rapid and joyous growth towards individual and group empowerment. The presenters brought deep experience, proven skills, and an openness of spirit that testified in every way to the integrity of the organization and its purpose.
The largeness of the MwB vision can make it challenging for each of us to puzzle out just what comes next. I am probably not alone in hoping that I may one day be asked to join an important MwB overseas project. However the “connecting communities” aspect is one that is immediately available to all of us, and this workshop has provided me with many new concrete skills I can use right away. And perhaps most importantly, the entire group has established an ongoing network of shared resources, beginning with a careful summary (video, audio & print) of all that was accomplished during the training. I have every expectation that the human relationships created in these amazing five days will continue to support and delight me for a lifetime.
Read Nicoline's story...Understanding more and more about teaching profoundly in conflict zones. Meeting all these great musicians from all over the world. Talking, sharing ideas and creativity, jamming. A big hurrah and chapeau to Musicians without Borders for organising this first training with all these experienced and wonderful trainers who already dare to work in conflict areas! Very inspiring!!
Read Janneke's story...
Respect to all who are there
coming from everywhere
around the globe
bringing hope.
Musicking maybe just to cope
with these feelings of anger, of grief.
What a relief:
they can be brief brief brief
Brief in their words, carefully chosen
just to suit the goal of their pursuit
which is building connection
or maybe, actually,
just to remind all who are there
that they are not alone.
They do not have to own
all the world, just to feel safe and respected and loved and
just basically appreciated for who they are.
A famous star is famous
for what it does,
not what it owns,
and our mistakes and our confusions
merely serve as stepping stones
To recover from this system that
suppresses expression of power,
of creativity and of caring with love.
As if we all are not safe,
As if we have to be tough
all the time, just to cope,
but Living Free is our hope.
Right?
To celebrate diversity and learn every hour.
Cause we connect with each other and with our own inner power!
Our own inner power.
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