In January 2016, the nonprofit MusicXChange, founded by Berklee student Federico Masetti, organized a two-week service trip to Ghana to build strategic partnerships and raise awareness about the organization. The following post was written by Apiwe Bubu, one of the trip’s participants. Read a post by fellow participant Ellie Foster.
By Apiwe Bubu
Suffice to say, January 8 in Kumasi, Ghana, was an incredible day. We awoke to chase yet more productive meetings and encounters with Ghanaian kin and professionals, and our first stop was our meeting with Dr. Thomas Poku. He is the personal doctor of the Ashanti king, and someone well versed in the medical and health world. Given that the king himself entrusts Dr. Poku with his health shows that this is a man with good credibility and ability. It was good to hear him vocalize his support for the MusicXChange initiative and introducing music therapy in Ghana. What I did find interesting was his job at the hospital where he explained how he at times used music to calm his patients and sometimes break some devastating news to them, such as diagnoses of HIV or AIDS.
Performing at the Super Bowl with Beyoncé was amazing! When I got the gig I almost didn’t know what to do with myself. It was definitely a great moment to soak in. When I finally got to California I was excited to meet all of the people I would be working with. At rehearsal it was amazing to see everyone giving their all every time we did a run through. My professor/mentor Tia Fuller, who played with Beyoncé prior to Berklee, would always say give 100% all the time. After this experience I now get exactly what she meant. One thing I love is to see a group of people working hard in their craft. Currently one of my teachers from years ago, named Crystal Torres, is Beyoncé’s trumpeter. She is the one who recommended me for the gig. It is always great to have someone such as Crystal who is extremely supportive and has your best interest at heart. This is how greatness comes along.
The opportunity to live in a foreign country doesn’t present itself too often. Musicians may tour, families may travel, but these experiences provide mere glimpses of a culture. Living in Valencia for an entire semester granted me the time to explore.