MODERN MENTORSHIP: 'You are a handful' - a hand full of joy

A few years ago, I was invited to guest lecture in the United States on the intersection of music education and social justice in the international arena. Whilst each student recalled those who made a significant impact on their lives, a faculty member remarked about how our teachers live through our hands.

I recently started teaching violin part-time again, and my new students range from age 7 to 14 with varying degrees of musical knowledge and personal keenness. In preparation, I reflected about the two most influential musical mentors in my life, what they taught me in and outside of the violin classes.

‘Mentor’ has its origins from the Greek poem ‘Odyssey’ by Homer. Mentoring is characterized by that of being a wise and trusted role model, of teaching, and of paving the way. 

My first teacher was an old-school Italian who spent his formative years at La Scala. This famed opera house was built in 1778, and a few decades later had close relations with Verdi. In the next century it had seen the city of Milan through two world wars, of which Toscanini was instrumental in its revival and subsequent longevity. Cue in Vincenzo Lo Castro: who toiled under batons of the great conductors that followed, expeditioned across the equator, and landed up in Durban – a neo-colonial coastal city of South Africa. I was all of six years old, and had to be placed on a 6-month waiting list to receive my first violin lesson. 

Mr Lo Castro was a complete disciplinarian. Many of my lessons lead to hot sniffles on my part – indignant of my teacher’s sternness mixed with my own impatience to get my fingers to play the right notes at the right time. Dedication gave way to progress. He was terrifyingly strict on all of us, and his tough love scooped up all the awards alright. Over the years, due to my family’s relocation – I had been taught by numerous other teachers, yet I never missed an opportunity to visit. Photos of my performances remained proudly displayed in Enzo’s studio.

Fast forward to my last violin teacher – Jack de Wet who grew up a farm boy that liked the sound of ‘professor’ and thus decided to be one. Originally destined to study electrical engineering in the neighboring city, he applied his scientific approach to the violin instead in the Netherlands. Upon returning to his native South Africa, Prof established flourishing studios throughout the country. During the height of political warfare, this ‘supposed enemy white man’ was smuggled in the back of trucks to teach music in forbidden Black communities. 

By the time I entered Prof’s studio, I was quite well on in my years and oftentimes felt inadequate in my craft. Thankfully, a gentle patience and sense of humor had replaced the tyrannical drive he was rumored to possess in his earlier years. Seeing my crippling self-critic, Prof and his life wisdom would relay ‘It’s never too late, but it takes effort. Have you the courage and character?’

Prof was always prodding me to question my technical and musical choices. And life choices too, for that matter. In contrast, he never answered my questions directly, preferring to go through an introspective route of Chinese poetry, which he loved. Prof had an innate sensitivity of phrasing and could convey the mechanical components translated on the violin to echo the most beautiful singer. 

The greatest gift from Prof was perspective. I looked forward to my lessons and subsequent visits like an eager child. And in turn, Prof relished in my journeys and the progress of my own students. 

Coming back to the Greeks – according to Plato: ‘I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.’

Both my beloved mentors were rebels and adventurists in their own way, and cared fiercely for us – as musicians and as human beings. Enzo instilled in me discipline and meticulous attention to detail, not ever to let anything slide. His strictness taught me the value of hard work and celebrating well-earned achievements. Prof turned out to be my wise and trusted counsel, accompanying me as I navigated the turbulence of an emerging young professional. And when the going gets tough, Prof’s parting words to me refocuses my efforts, whispering ‘Remember, you deserve to be happy too.’

And so, may our hands continue to bring joy within, and indeed to all those around us.