Nelson Mandela said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Bertrand Russell called teachers “the guardians of civilization”. My mother was the kind of educator whose care and love for her students went above and beyond what was ever expected of her. She has been the greatest influence and inspiration in my life and I think of her every time I teach, a vocation I feel passionate about and fills me with purpose . Below are all the ways I get to do what I love.
MUSIC LESSONS
Here is a picture of me already in love at four years old. I take great pride and pleasure in helping others explore their own love affair with music and teaching folks of all ages how to play the piano, write songs, sing without fear and enjoy music the way humans were meant to: together. Every lesson is individualized and crafted to each students needs and musical desires, all which are different, diverse and delightful in their own way. Lessons with me often involve a lot of laughter, diving into musical wormholes together, discovering new artists, writing original material and convincing my students to perform as often as possible.
MISS NATI’S MUSICBOX
Within the confines of our global quarantine, I made a TV show to teach humans of all ages about the life and work of fabulous and wacky artists that I love! Every week a new episode is created and released with the help of papier-mâché costumes, artisanal DIY video editing, shadow puppets and special TV guests from the far reaches of the galaxy!
This project has been a shining light for me and a source of much needed joy, hope and creativity. I hope it brings the same positivity and inspiration to you and your loved ones of all ages.
Check it out here: Miss Nati's MusicBox
MUSIC OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
Since 2014, I have been working as a teaching-artist for the Center for World Music in schools around San Diego. It brings me great joy to teach kids about my homeland and learn how to sing and play Caymanian folk songs, a tradition of music so rare and hidden from the rest of the world. My undergraduate ethnomusicology thesis entitled “An Island’s Story: Told through the music of Julia Hydes” is celebrated and treasured as the first and only in depth writing on Caymanian folk music and drummer, Miss Julia Hydes. You can read it here.
KALABASH
In September 2015, I opened Kalabash School of Music + the Arts with long time friend and producer Chad Farran in La Jolla, California. It was an absolute dream come true that I pinch myself everyday about. We named our school after the calabash fruit which has been used to make musical instruments in many cultures around the world for centuries. We think it serves as a good reminder that music and art can be made with anything, anywhere and at any time. Learn more about the awesome dream team of teaching-artists we have and all the rad events and programming we do at www.kalabasharts.com