Christy Lyn[/caption]Carol Forsloff ---If you love good music, stories of a world where there are those making life better for others with their work and their talents, and want to listen to some of the best melodies, then give a listen to a young woman named Christy-Lyn. She is one who will take you back to those simple times or those treasured places where folks like her share generously of their spirit and talent.
I met Christy-Lyn by wandering onto the Feature page of Fandalism, a site that is called the place for the world's best musicians. And she is surely that. Christy- Lyn lives in South Africa, in a rural area called Ingwavuma. She works at a hospital in the area where people are so poor that less than 5% of the residents of the area have access to either running water or electricity. Unemployment is extremely high, and HIV/AIDS is a scourge impacting many. She sits in a prefab home at the hospital and from there comes the music that draws people in, like flowers to the sun. For folks like her are the light in worlds that are dark in poverty. For that reason, and her impeccable talent, Christy is the type of talent a journalist appreciates, as she offers that story that rises above all others, because of Christy's music and the life she offers by helping others.
My interview with Christy Lyn took place through an email exchange, so readers might experience this charming wonder from her own words in answer to my questions.
Q.-- How long have you played music?
A--My mom and dad have always made music a very important part of our family, so I started singing before I could say the words to the songs. We loved singing together as a family and performed in front of the church with my dad playing the guitar and all 5 of us singing (mom, dad and 3 daughters). My younger sister was so small that she had to be held in my mom's arms so that the congregation could see her. I have many happy music-memories with my family.
I have always been a keen performer when it comes to singing. I sang my first solo when I was 5 years old in the preschool nativity concert, and loved it. When my best friend had stage fright and refused to perform, I delightedly sang her solo too!
I don't know when I started experimenting with instruments, but I started formal piano lessons when I was seven years old - about 17 years ago. Two years later I started playing violin, and took lessons and exams with both instruments until I finished school. Piano was always my favourite between the two, and I seldom practiced the violin... to the frustration of everyone involved! I joined the school choir when I was 8 years old, and continued with choral singing throughout school and into university. I had the privilege of being a part of Pro Cantu Youth Choir (now Cape Town Youth Choir) for 4 years, and had some amazing opportunities performing and competing around the world. When I was 8 I started singing solos in the local singing eisteddfod, and continued to compete with solos, duets and trios (with my sisters) every year until I was 21. This was a great place for me to perform and learn from other singers and teachers. It encouraged me to continue learning new songs, improving as I go. I also had some formal classical singing training.
Q--How long has your family lived in South Africa?
A---My parent were both born in South Africa, and like my parents I have never lived anywhere else. I have Scottish, English and probably French heritage, but my family can be traced back to the settlers in the Cape in 1820. I can proudly say that I am truly South African!
Q--What struggles do you face in music and socially?
A--In terms of my musical journey, I have come from a strongly classical background. This has given me amazing tools for understanding music and my instruments and I am very thankful for that, but I have also found it restrictive at times. The "classical box" made me believe that there is a right and a wrong way to play and sing, and that if you do not sing in that particular way you are not good enough and will be judged for that. I have always enjoyed a range of music styles, and have found it a challenge to find my "place" as a musician and singer as I have felt the pressure of other people telling what my singing is "supposed" to sound like. I believe that good technique is a great tool and definitely has a place, but music should also be an expression of one's self, and something to be enjoyed. We shall see where that journey takes me!
Another challenge with my music has been that there seem to be very few people around me that enjoy the same style of music as I do. My favorite style to perform is Celtic folksongs, and there have not been many opportunities for me to perform this music.
Socioeconomic issues present a massive challenge in my country. It is difficult to live in a country where there are such discrepancies between the "haves" and the "have nots". There are people living 5 minutes from my house who struggle to find enough to eat, many in the area where I currently work who don't have access to running water or electricity in their homes, and many who are dying of preventable illnesses. Meanwhile, I have always had access to what I need and have had many privileges in my life. It is very difficult to know what to do as one small person! To to continue living my life as one small person making the difference that I can, and not feeling guilty for being so privileged. To keep myself from becoming hardened to the need around me, but to find coping mechanisms to continue living when the problem is not yet resolved. A very very difficult balance that I confess I have not yet achieved.
Q-- What is your ultimate ambition with your music?
A--I continue to struggle myself with what direction I might take with my music. I really love performing and making music, but at this point I don't know exactly where I am headed. I would love to have the opportunity to share my music with more people, but I'm not sure exactly what form that may take. My ultimate ambition with my music is to be available to be used by God. I hope to share what I have been given, to connect with other people, and show them something of the beauty that I have seen. May God lead me wherever He wants me to go on my musical journey.
Q--What place does music have in your life?
A--Music is the way I express myself, it is a way to communicate with other people, a form of artistic outlet, hard work, fun, stimulating, mind-altering. It is a way to climb into the world of another artist to feel and express what they did when they wrote or performed the song, and to give it my own heart. It is a method of broadening my horizons and finding something out there that I never before imagined could exist. It is a tool to bring a group of people together so that we can create something greater than ourselves. It is a way that I give God the glory and show Him that I love Him.
Q--What does South Africa have that is special in the arts? What do you believe is the country's future in entertainment? Are opportunities plentiful or lacking? How do most people make a living and what problems do they face?
A--South Africa is a unique mix of cultures, heritage, traditions, religions, and languages (did you know we have eleven official languages?!). This rainbow-nation-effect is clearly evident in the music and art of our country. We have so many different types of people bringing different things to the table. For example we have traditional Zulu singing and dancing . I see this a lot where I am living this year; then there is the Cape Malay music , and a vibrant classical music scene, active jazz community, etc etc. There is such a range of influences, that it is always exciting to see what happens when it gets mixed up! My favorite example of this blend of influences is Freshly Ground. I won't venture to guess the future of our country's entertainment, but I do know that with the talent and innovative ideas that come out of South Africa, it will continue to be fresh and inspired and surprising!
One problem is that opportunities for making a living as a musician in our country are sadly lacking. If you go searching for it, a musician will find plenty of inspiration, but will struggle to turn that into rent money or school fees for children. Musicians tend to work part time in other professions, and many go into teaching. Sadly many of the great musicians leave the country to find work elsewhere.
A--Yes, I went to public school in Cape Town for part of my education, and was home schooled for most of high school. I studied Occupational Therapy at the University of Cape Town, and am now working as an Occupational Therapist in an extremely rural area called Ingwavuma, in the north eastern part of the country right next to Swaziland.Q--Were you educated in South Africa? Tell me about your educational background and preparation for work.
Q--Where did you study music?
A--I took piano lessons with various private teachers throughout my school life, and took violin lessons at school. For singing I took extra lessons with my choir mistress from the age of 13 to 20, and then took lessons with a classical singing teacher in the Bel Canto method for 18 months.
Q--Are you of a family of musicians?
A--Yes. Let me expand on this a little. My parents met in a Christian folk music group at University, and both played guitar and sang. They wrote quite a few songs together and my Dad even proposed to my mom with a song! My two sisters and I all took music lessons throughout school - all three of us played piano, Megan played cello and Cara and I played violin. We played string trios together and sang duets and trios from a very young age, and when persuaded we still do to this day. We all love music, but I'm the performer of the three, so I usually have to give my sisters a bit of a nudge before they agree to perform with me. In the end we all love it though, and have a special bond through music!
Q-- How did you find Fandalism? What does the site do for you?
A--I was invited to join Fandalism by a musician-friend through Facebook. I only joined Fandalism yesterday, but I've already had quite a few people watching my videos and giving me positive feedback, which has been great! I hope that this site will continue to be a format for meeting new people and sharing music with them, and perhaps create opportunities in the non-virtual world along the way.
My primary place for uploading videos is Youtube - my new channel is at www.youtube.com/christylynmusic. My facebook musician page is at www.facebook.com/Csings, and I just joined twitter at www.twitter.com/christylynmusic.
Christy-Lyn wears music's crown at a time when the world itself struggles to be heard. But through the din of strife, poverty, war and dissension, a voice from the heavens that resides in South Africa is a joy for us all. Enjoy the wonder of her music at the links she provides and on Fandalism, a site where she shines.
