FUTURES IN TUNE

Global Youth Program

International Music Video - Shosholoza (2024)

This music video is a celebration of international community and cultural exchange, featuring elementary students from three incredible school communities: Egcekeni Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Delevan Drive Elementary in Los Angeles, USA, and The Sound Space India in Mumbai, India. Together, they bring to life Shosholoza, South Africa’s second national anthem, through a global collaboration of music and movement, creating a powerful tribute to resilience, unity, and joy.

International Music Video - Lean On Me (2023)

Our first ever music video project features the song, Lean On Me - performed by our students in South Africa and United States as part of our pilot program, Project KwaCal.

About Us

Futures in Tune (FIT), launched by Transcenders Music Academy in January 2023, is our global arts education program connecting underserved elementary school students from South Africa, India, and the United States to develop empathy and curiosity across cultures through music and movement, while promoting the creation of original work.

FIT provides funding for weekly music classes and instruments at each site, taught by local professional Teaching Artists. A shared, multicultural curriculum ensures all students receive high-quality education and have a common learning experience.

Global School Sites

FIT’s curriculum is designed to foster cross-cultural understanding through music education. It is a multicultural, sequential program that engages students with music and movement, ensuring they develop strong fundamentals while connecting with peers globally.

We collaborate with local partners in each region to identify talented, community-rooted teaching artists whose culturally-informed arts education pedagogy aligns with our mission. Our teachers undergo in-depth training, whether through higher education institutions or professional development provided by partner organizations.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

At Egcekeni Primary School, located in the rural Shongweni Dam Township, students face significant challenges. The unemployment rate is 70%, only 25% of homes have sewer-connected toilets, and there is no consistent water supply, forcing residents to rely on tankers for household use in buckets. The school serves 460 learners with 13 teachers and frequently shuts down due to water shortages.

Despite these hardships, our students at Egcekeni are role models who demonstrate profound creativity, musical ability, and inspiration. We are beyond proud and honored to have been collaborating with them since our first iteration of FIT in January 2023.

Mumbai, India

In partnership with The Sound Space India, an innovative non-profit based in Mumbai, we work with 50 students - 98% of whom are living in poverty experiencing food insecurity, have difficult access to clean water and electricity, and are mostly either unhoused or living in temporary housing.

Led by professional musicians and dedicated music educators Vishala and Kamakshi Khurana, our partnership with Sound Space began in the summer of 2023. We are grateful for their students who have brought the richness, depth, and beauty of Indian culture to our global community.

Los Angeles, United States

At Delevan Drive Elementary, we provide music education to 65 fifth grade students who otherwise don’t have access to music and dance education in school. 54% are Hispanic, 21% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 14% are White, 9% are 2 or more races, and 2% Black. 40% of these students are considered socio-economically disadvantaged according to the California Department of Education.

Our young learners at Delevan inspire us each week with their curiosity and dedication to learn about the culture, languages, and music of their sister sites around the world. They have been a part of FIT since the beginning in January 2023.

Global FIT Team

Egcekeni Primary School: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Our team at Egcekeni is led by dedicated local teaching artists who bring passion and heart to every lesson, guiding students through music and cultural exchange.

Program Director

Heather Partner

Heather, founder of MAD (Making A Difference) in KwaZulu-Natal, focuses on education and training for sustainable income. MAD aids in rebuilding homes, feeding projects, and supporting schools. In 2022, the charity partnered with Transcenders Music Academy.

Head Mistress

Maureen Mthimkhulu

Maureen is a headmistress at Egcekeni Primary School. With 11 years of teaching experience, she holds a diploma in Human Resources, a postgraduate diploma in Education, and an honors degree in Educational Management.

Music Lecturer UKZN, Ukusa Arts Programme

Debbie Mari

Debbie is a Lecturer in the Jazz Studies programme in the School of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Project Manager of the Ukusa Arts Programme which provides access to music education to underserved communities throughout the greater Durban area.

Teaching Artist

Ndu Khuzwayo

A Durban-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Ndu began his music journey at 14, performing in Broadway productions like Hairspray. He holds a degree in music and drama, a PGCE in teaching, and has won singing competitions like Gateway to Fame and The Royal Showstoppers.

The Sound Space: Mumbai, India

Led by sisters Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana, our Mumbai team brings energy and innovation to the classroom, helping students discover their voices through music and collaboration.

Program Director

Vishala Khurana

Co-Founder of The Sound Space, Vishala holds degrees in music and psychology, blending both disciplines to promote Indian classical music. She has performed at prestigious venues like the Jamshed Bhabha Auditorium and collaborated with global artists and institutions.

Program Director

Kamakshi Khurana

Co-Founder of The Sound Space, merges her expertise in music and psychology to reshape Indian classical music education and performance. She has showcased her talent at major events and is actively engaged in global music education initiatives.

Teaching Artist

Pooja Waghela

Pooja holds a degree in Indian classical music and completed a year of teacher training with Muktangan. She trained for seven years with The Sound Space, and is also trained to work with children, adults, seniors, and those with special needs.

Teaching Artist

Rohini Basu

Rohini, trained in Hindustani and Western classical music at Dr. AR Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory, has performed with Dr. Rahman, the German Babelsberg Film Orchestra, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Now based in Mumbai, she is a music educator and choral conductor.

Delevan Drive Elementary: Los Angeles, United States

The Delevan Drive FIT team consists of experienced educators who inspire creativity and connection, making music a powerful tool for students to explore the world.

Executive Director

Laura Porter

Laura, a professional saxophonist who has performed with Aretha Franklin and many others, believes in the power of music and movement to create community. As Co-Founder and Director of Bloom School of Music and Dance, she advocates for high-quality arts education, serving over 11,000 families through her nonprofit.

Teaching Artist

Vanessa Palomino

Vanessa is a professional singer and music educator. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and her first language is Spanish. As a performer, Vanessa has toured with choirs around the world, recorded on Grammy nominated albums, and worked with many preeminent producers and musicians across LA.

Teaching Artist

Lev Freedman

Lev is a professional singer-songwriter, producer, drummer, guitarist and educator from Pittsburgh, PA. He currently writes for up and coming pop and indie artists around the world as well as releasing his own music.

Global Leadership & Administration

Our dedicated global leadership team drives the vision and mission of Futures in Tune and works tirelessly to ensure impactful programming. The Grammy-winning composer collective, Transcenders, enhances our initiatives with their expertise and professional music production for our music videos. Together, our leadership team inspires a collaborative culture that nurtures empathy and cultural understanding across continents.

Chief Operating Officer

Radhika Fliegel

Radhika co-founded the Bloom Arts Foundation. A passionate advocate for law and education, she graduated cum laude from Cardozo Law and has served marginalized communities, promoting the profound impact of arts education on students’ lives and learning outcomes.

Co-Founder

Brian Lapin

Brian Lapin, a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas, is an accomplished composer for Emmy-winning shows like Black-ish and Gossip Girl. A Loyola Marymount University graduate, he has received ten ASCAP Composer Awards.

Co-Founder

Mike Fratantuno

Inspired by his 2nd grade music teacher, Mike fell in love with the upright bass, leading to a lifelong musical journey. He has toured and written with the Black Eyed Peas and currently plays in Low Coast. Through Futures In Tune, he aims to connect children with the arts.

Co-Founder

Terence Yoshiaki

"T," A founding member of The Black Eyed Peas, co-wrote the Grammy-nominated “Let’s Get It Started.” Known for blending live instrumentation with modern production, his work spans multiple genres.

Advocacy & Development

Rosalind Read

Head of Business & Legal Affairs at Hasbro Entertainment, specializes in entertainment, media, and intellectual property law. She also contributes to Futures in Tune, supporting our global music and education initiatives.

Global Education Coordinator

Eli Slavkin

Eli is a Spain-based composer, filmmaker, and educator from Los Angeles. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Berklee College of Music, his music, released under Strings of Kin, has over 18 million Spotify streams. He manages the programming and curriculum for FIT.

Global Youth Program

International Music Video - Shosholoza (2024)

International Music Video - Lean On Me (2023)

Futures in Tune

Global School Sites

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mumbai, India

Los Angeles, United States

Global FIT Team

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