The Embassy offers local musos a sound footing

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Keanan Harmse Keanan.Harmse@acm.co.za
• Publication title: Sentinel News

The founder of The Embassy of Music, Louise van Bala, of Hangberg, said she had seen the challenges faced by the community through her involvement with Little Angels and the Thula-Thula Foundation

She also established the Olympians Academy, a school for Grade 1s unable to find places at schools (“Louise lauded for work,” Sentinel, September 7, 2018).

Her latest initiative stems from her involvement a few years ago with Dreambox Studios in Hout Bay, where she worked with Danish musician and songwriter Carsten Lehn.

“For the last three years, I looked at how to improve on this to benefit the artists like helping them with professional mixing and the mastering of their work coupled with having a great producer to give them guidance,” said Ms Van Bala

The Embassy of Music, which had its official launch at Lehn’s Dreambox Studios last week, offers disadvantaged youth a free graduate programme with free studio time and advice on the music industry and finances.

“As much as everyone loves and appreciates music, it is ultimately the musicians that are struggling to stay afloat in this ever-changing landscape,” said Ms Van Bala.

Rapper Marshin Hendrix, 30, of Strand, said the organisation had helped her get her music career off the ground.

“My love for music started in Grade 11. I started off with a basic home studio set-up with money I received from my parents as a 21st birthday gift. With this...