Phakamani Barry Pega, was born to live a music-centered life. Hailing from neighborhood of Klipspruit in Soweto, South Africa (SA). Starting his life of music Phakamani’s English name, Barry, pays tribute to singer Barry White. Mom Pega noted to her friend that he had the deepest voice of all the babies in viewing room. Whether it was singing traditional songs in church, playing his penny whistle, or learning to master the violin and piano he confirmed what his mother had noticed early on. Since then Phakamani has kept the heart and soul of his mother and the vibrancy of Soweto in his work and life. Phakamani was born in a time of great change for South Africa. Thanks to a research project you can learn a little about Soweto: http://www.soweto.co.za/html/i_resear... Basically, resources have been limited while teachers have struggled to find a balance between traditional, culturally specific education and one that would prepare students for the global economy. Regardless, due to his loving, hard-working family he was able to show his natural talents; Phakamani became a leader in primary school, excelled in his subjects, and took up a new instrument. The violin was exotic and exciting but also difficult to master. This is partially due to the fact that his first teacher was a clarinet player. Left to his own devices, Phakamani eventually bested his peers. But when he was lucky enough to secure admission to secondary school, The National School of arts, Phakamani found himself back at the beginning. Disgruntled but determined, he forged ahead once more. Soon Phakamani was chosen for a lead role in a film about a violin student. This was followed
by his ability to speak English fluently, play piano accompaniments, and compose. Finally he became a leader once again with the band, Variety. Their unique ability to play classical, jazz, and using an unorthodox set of instruments gave them access to many performances including playing for Nelson Mandela and new President, Jacob Zuma. Things were going well, but as graduation loomed, Phakamani looked to take his
musicianship and career to the next level. After a thorough search for a place to learn Jazz Violin, Phakamani had one prospect, Berklee College of Music. Once he finally raised enough funds to apply for the
visa and move to Boston, he faced a menagerie of new challenges. Cultural differences, financial problems due to the exchange rate, and a higher standard of musical mastery challenged his mind state and physical health. Sure enough, he hit the ground running. At Berklee he has co-founded the Music of South Africa Ensemble, played for the World String Ensemble and the Berklee Contemporary Orchestra, contributed to the projects of
many students including Hip-Hop artist Wyclef Jean, and made many genuine connections by his engaging personality. Outside of Berklee, Phakamani volunteered for a variety of bands to increase his performance skills and expose himself to more styles of music including. Specifically he joined artist Tiffany Gasset and Rising Tribe, seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTGUxa... and started performing with a group of expatriates that wanted to help people back home, Matimba Ya Ripfumelo (Power of Hope).
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=G5Hg_XQ... He
also organized two performances, one at Harvard African Night with Matimba and other Berklee students, and one at Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center where he played arrangements of South African music for string quartet, vocal group, and full band. It is clear that Phakamani has faced many battles, and embraces all of his new challenges including his recent shoulder strain injury and his lack of financial resources
to pay tuition at Berklee. Still, he remains positive and determined to succeed. Currently, he intends to lead his band without playing and continue as a singer and composer. He has also reached out to professionals in the Boston Area by joining the Sharing A New Song Chorus (www.sharinganewsong.org), working with expatriate entrepreneur Stephen to unite African artists in Boston, and brainstorming with recent Berklee Grad Lisa Marie Garver to build unique projects to increase his media profile and leadership skills as his shoulder is healing. Phakamani, in essence is that strangely beautiful flowering weed in your backyard. He wasn’t planted and you may have sprayed him with something nasty but with a little bit of rain, he will take over your garden. You will probably find that you don’t want to remove him. Later, he might become a feature. You can’t help but admire his flexibility, strength in the face of adversity, and unending character. Most of all, the
fruit’s of his labor are incredibly beautiful.