My summer job: The flute student works voluntary with arranging seminars in her home country during the summers
Cecilia Rospigliosi Salazar from Bolivia recently graduated from the master i music performance with flute, from Faculty of Performing Arts. Next semester she will both work as a flute teacher, and take part time study in PPU (practical teacher training).
This summer she will work voluntary with three friends in her home country Bolivia and arrange seminars for youths.
Tell us about this project and this «job»?
We wish to have a three day flute seminar in Tarija to help young people between 7 and 18 years old to develop their interest and joy for music and flute. We will offer training in groups and individually, and also have conversations about different subjects such as mental health and stage fright. The seminar will end with a concert where both the teachers and students participates.
We've been doing this seminar multiple summers, but after covid it has been difficult getting financial support. Therefore we've created a spleis to cover the expences for transport, premises, accomodation and food. But me and the teachers do this for free.
Why do you want to do this?
I started playing the flute when I was quite old, 15 years. But I would've never played any instrument if it wasn't for my family discovering a social project with free music education. Before that it was only privileged kids who could play instruments (we don't have culture schools in Bolivia like Norway has).
I feel very lucky that I got the opportunity to move to Norway and pursue my dream of becoming a professional flutist. And this is why I want to share everything I can with young flute players in my home country.
When I returned to Bolivia in the summers and visited the project, I often got questions from young players about techniques and problems with playing, and I realized it would be great to share this knowledge through seminars. It is amazing to see all the talent and the will to learn more from these kids and teenagers, and how much they love music.
What feedback do you get from these kids and teenagers?
They feel very inspired when they get the tools to improve their playing, and you can see that they have finally the opportunity to ask all their questions about flute playing. Many of them have blossomed and it is amazing to see how they improve from one year to the next. Talking about mental health and feelings has been also very important, and we try to empower our students by playing in concerts and supporting each other.
They love the seminars and always ask us if we are coming back next year. They also tell us that we inspire them to continue making music.
I have been extremely lucky to end up in Norway studying music, and for me sharing this in my country is fundamental
What is the best thing about spending your summer doing this?
I think the best is the gratitude you receive from your students and the feeling of sharing. As I said before, I have been extremely lucky to end up in Norway studying music, and for me sharing this in my country is fundamental. I also enjoy my time there with my friends, making music together.
Will there be time for any vacation as well?
Yes, there is enough time in between to take my parents out for a café, a nice meal, to the cinema, or to arrange a nice family gathering. I also need to see my friends that I haven’t seen in ages!
What is your dream job?
Since I am gonna study PPU, I would say a teaching job would be amazing. But even if this sounds unexpected, I would love to be a music librarian. You never now, right?
The only thing I am 100% sure is that no matter what, I want to continue playing the flute.