Hey there! I’m Efe, a high school student with a strong passion for music. 

It wasn’t always that way for me, though — not until I was lucky enough to attend a weekend program and build a strong background in the subject. However, after years of education and certification in music theory, I’ve come to realize that it wasn’t only about being able to read music and perform pieces perfectly. It was about interacting with and experiencing music on a deeper level. On so many counts, I felt I couldn’t take any more strict classes, or I would give up. What revived me was integrating my own music taste into my practice. Theory can get you very far, but what really keeps a musician going is a love for your craft.

This is the inspiration behind Notes for a Cause. As a holder of a Grade 5 Certificate of Merit or higher in performance, practical, and theoretical music from ABRSM* (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), I hope to provide opportunities for students to experiment with music on their own terms by breaking critical theoretical concepts down to their roots. Through monthly in-person workshops, I aim to teach music for free in a way that is factually sound but allows everyone space to explore independently. This way, participants can come to define what music means to them. Everyone has a beautifully unique way of approaching the subject, and I hope that each person gets inspired through learning to play new pieces, understanding how music flows and thus discovering their personal relationship with the subject. I aim to ensure anyone interested will have a chance to give it a go.

* For further reading on ABRSM certification, see here for performance grades, here for practical, and here for theoretical information.