This week we chat with Pieter Taljaard, who is using his 28 years of experience to offer extramural drama and music lessons in East London.
Drama and music as extramural activities play a vital role in the holistic development of high school pupils and Taljaard believes these creative outlets not only nurture artistic talent but also equip students with essential life skills.
What do you do?
I offer tuition and training in drama and music for all ages. I follow the Trinity College of London graded syllabi for speech and drama as well as for music. Students can then opt for doing an internationally recognised examination according to their development in their art form of choice.
How and when did you decide to start your business?
I have been teaching drama, arts and music for the past 28 years. Offering these extramural classes enables me to reach a wider group of students including adults seeking to expand their talents. Drama and music provide outlets for stress, helping students build resilience and confidence to navigate the complexities of life.
How has the support from the public been for your business since you started?
It is a very specialised field, but I think it should be available to all children. My support mainly comes from parents understanding the value of a child playing the piano or developing self-confidence in drama lessons. Also, students at post-matric diploma level, who are working at their qualifications in the arts, have been my support.
What are the top three most important lessons you teach in your music and drama classes?
Believe in yourself and your own abilities.
Use consistent discipline to be your own best.
Know yourself and express yourself.
Do you work alone?
All training and tuition are conducted by me personally.
Have you encountered any challenges and how did you overcome them?
I think because of the creative nature of the subjects I teach, there has always been a way to work through challenges. The nature of the work is helping students to overcome any challenge.
What goals or future plans do you have for your business?
I would love to create a network so that township and rural children would also be able to access specialised music and drama training.
What advice do you have for someone who is also interested in starting their own business?
I’m definitely not a business expert of any kind but I do believe if your heart is in your product or service you can make it a success.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
I offer these classes to all ages and all levels of experience. Classes are arranged individually so different schedules can be considered. Doing arts classes expands the mind, gives you skills to express yourself verbally or musically and is invaluable for personal growth and development.
Drama fosters confidence, teamwork, and communication skills as students learn to express themselves, collaborate, and perform in front of audiences. It also enhances empathy by allowing students to step into different roles and perspectives.
Music, on the other hand, develops discipline and perseverance through practice while improving cognitive abilities such as memory and concentration.
Both disciplines encourage creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression.
Where can our readers find you? (contact details/social media)
They can send me a message on WhatsApp (072-502-4875) and I will work out the details.
