Etta Madete- The violinist and her travels
Kenyan violinist Etta Madete is clearly making a name for herself in the music world both at home and abroad. Just last week, Etta represented Kenya at the 2014 Commonwealth Youth Orchestra in the UK. UP Magazine gains insight on what it was like for her to play as a Kenyan representative in one of the biggest youth orchestral events in the world.
“Music can take you places it seems,” Etta says when asked about her recent travel. “I was the only person chosen in Kenya and that’s quite an honour.” Having played the violin for only six years, Etta is the epitome of what hard work and determination can do. “When I first started it was really hard. Learning the basics was quite difficult because you would see other people playing and you’d be like ‘Ahhh why can’t I play like that?’ but it got easier with time.”
The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra together with the Commonwealth Youth Council held their fist ever event this year to celebrate the Commonwealth games, which will be held in Glasgow. “I got to play in Glasgow and in London,” Etta states. The Art of Music Foundation in Kenya who is partners with the Commonwealth Orchestra nominated Etta to play for Kenya revealing just how talented she is.
When asked what it was like to play abroad she said, “It was fun! The days were long and there was a lot of waiting but I got to play with violinists from many different places which was amazing!”
Clearly everywhere that’s not our beloved Kenya is nothing like it so we had to know if it felt different playing in the UK compared to playing at home. “It’s not too different, it’s just that the standards are really high. I mean you had 16, 19 year olds who played at a higher level than I did! Some even had violin diplomas.” Yes, violin diplomas do exist for those of you who did not know. We checked. “But I came back more motivated to get better once I saw how people from different places played.”
This diaspora talk got us intrigued to know more about her somewhat rock star (well, in the classical sense) life. Where else had the little instrument taken her? “I’ve been to Tanzania twice to play with the Dar Choral Society and I also went with the Kenya Conservatoire of Music to Mombasa and to Uganda.”
But doesn’t this travel affect her daily life? “No,” she reveals, “I don’t travel that much. Maybe three times a year. But sometimes I do have to reschedule my lessons.”
While still on the subject of travel we ask what’s the best and the worst thing about travelling to play the violin. “The best I’d have to say is the fact that it’s fully funded so you get to stay at nice hotels and eat nice food for free. But then you go back home used to that life and it’s like… ‘I guess its cereal for dinner then,’” laughs Etta.
“But the worst thing about has to be not being able to arrange your own schedule. If you’re not organised you have to wait around a bit and you don’t really know the place. In Kenya I’d just find something to do.”
Wrapping up our interview we ask what the ultimate place she would like to play her instrument in is. “The Royal Albert Hall. Just because it’s really famous so that would be cool.”
No doubt in our minds, with the way her orchestral career is going, the Royal Albert Hall might not be too far away. Her passion for this instrument is unquestionable and clearly attests to the fact that doing what you love and making a name for yourself don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Check out her music here.
by Cherie Kihato
