Masego Came Home to Newport News, and He Did Not Come Empty-Handed |
From Woodside High School to stages around the world, Masego returned home with supplies, instruments and a message for the next generation |
Before taking the stage in Virginia Beach, Masego made a stop back home in Newport News. The Grammy-nominated musician returned to Woodside High School, his alma mater, for a back-to-school event with Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III, who is also a Woodside graduate. The two share another local connection too. Both attended Old Dominion University. This was not just a quick hometown photo op. Masego and Bethany teamed up with music discovery platform PlusNTrust and instrument retailer Sweetwater to bring thousands of dollars in school supplies and musical instruments to students. About $3,500 in music supplies will benefit Woodside High School’s Music Department and Soundscape, a Newport News nonprofit that provides music education to young people. And Masego did more than drop off boxes. He sat down with students, answered questions about his career and joined them for a music session, giving young musicians a chance to play alongside someone who once sat in classrooms just like theirs. For a student wondering whether a career in music can really start in Newport News, there was a pretty convincing answer standing right in front of them. Coming back also brought plenty of memories for Masego. He talked about recognizing the exit on the drive to Woodside and remembering his way around without thinking about it. Being around the students brought back pieces of his own younger years and the place where his musical story started. Masego has gone from Newport News to stages around the world, earning a Grammy nomination and building an international following along the way. But he still describes Virginia as having a special place in his heart. After spending time with Woodside students, he headed down the road to The Dome in Virginia Beach for his next performance. For Newport News, the best part of this story may not be that someone from here made it big. It is that after making it big, he came back through the same doors and gave the next group of kids something to build on. |
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I'd like to hear more about Soundscape. A lot of Newport News kids have talent but need resources like this. Glad Masego didn’t forget where he came from.
Soundscape is a Newport News nonprofit dedicated to providing music education for young people, and thanks to Masego’s visit, they’ll have new resources to keep nurturing local talent.
Roberto T.I’ve heard good things about Soundscape. They help a lot of young musicians get started. Would be cool to see more info on how to get kids involved.
My daughter was at the event and hasn’t stopped talking about it. It meant a lot to her since she’s thinking about a music career. Thank you to Masego and everyone involved!
Thank you for sharing this! It's inspiring to hear how much of an impact the visit made on young musicians considering their own paths.
Linda SutherlandThat’s wonderful, Linda! Experiences like that can change a kid’s whole outlook. Hope your daughter keeps following her passion for music.
It’s awesome for the music program to get new instruments, but I hope this becomes a regular thing. Our schools always need more support for the arts.
TyReese_75I agree, TyReese. Arts always seem to get left behind when it comes to funding. It'd be great if more local artists or businesses pitched in too. Our kids deserve it.
We agree that continued support is crucial for thriving arts programs, here’s hoping events like this inspire even more investment in our schools’ musical future!
Love seeing someone who made it big come back and really connect with the kids. I bet those students got a huge boost getting to jam with Masego. Woodside must be proud!
Janelle W.Yeah, you can tell he actually cares. I wish things like this happened more often at other schools too. Bet those kids will remember it forever.
Absolutely, seeing Masego return and share his journey right in the halls where it began was an unforgettable moment for Woodside students and staff alike.