Online singing workshop connecting students in rural Nepal and Uganda
Funded by Making a Difference Awards
Title: Singing from one continent to another: an online singing workshop connecting a school community in rural Nepal to another in rural Uganda
Recipient: Dr. Tiija Rinta Tettey
Date: 2025
This workshop aimed to connect school pupils from rural Uganda and Nepal through an online singing session led by an American singing teacher. The goal was to provide high-quality music education to underrepresented groups in these remote areas, which often lack opportunities for international collaboration. Music education in rural areas of Nepal and Uganda is limited, with a focus on traditional music and minimal exposure to Western music theory or singing techniques. The workshop sought to address these gaps while fostering cultural exchange and global connections.
Located in South Asia near the Himalayan Mountains, Nepal is one of the poorest countries globally, but boasts high life satisfaction. Tourism and farming are its main industries. The participating school was situated in a rural area near Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. Thirty children aged 8–16 participated, equally split between male and female, with a classroom teacher and dance teacher present. Nepal has a rich musical culture, but funding constraints limit the depth of music education.
Uganda, in East Africa, shares similarities with Kenya but is less internationally recognized. The participating school was a primary school in a mountainous rural region 200 miles east of Kampala. Thirty children aged 10–15 participated, with 11 males and 19 females, alongside a classroom teacher and a music teacher. Uganda’s musical culture emphasizes singing through aural traditions, with limited focus on music theory. Poverty and traditional ideologies in rural areas hinder educational progress.
The singing teacher, based in Florida, USA, is a professional singer and experienced online instructor. The workshop, held on May 10, 2025, via Zoom, lasted two hours (1:30–3:30 PM GMT) and included vocal warm-ups, nursery rhymes (“Old McDonald Had a Farm” and “London Bridge is Falling Down”), a short classical song, and sight-singing exercises. Participants expressed enthusiasm for learning Western music and techniques, with many engaging with a foreign teacher for the first time.
The session also featured cultural exchange activities:
- The Ugandan music teacher taught a traditional Ugandan song to Nepalese participants.
- The Nepalese dance teacher taught a traditional dance to Ugandan participants.
Participants wore traditional clothing, adding to the cultural exchange.
To ensure smooth delivery, local teachers tested internet connections and devices beforehand. In Uganda, laptops were borrowed from secondary schools, while Nepal used a TV screen for better visibility. SIM cards were inserted into devices to stabilize internet connections, and additional speakers were used for sound quality.
The workshop ran smoothly, with stable internet connections and punctual participants. Both groups enjoyed the singing session and cultural exchange, expressing interest in incorporating music theory into their curricula. The event highlighted the importance of high-quality equipment for remote workshops and the need for thorough preparation.
Future workshops could focus on expanding Western music repertoire, sight-singing, and traditional performances. Participants showed interest in a longer-term project spanning several weeks.