Tenstrings Music Institute, Nigeria’s largest school of music, has unveiled a gospel music academy, in response to the demand for young talents seeking professional training to pursue a career in this genre.

Speaking at a briefing to announce the new academy, and the unveiling of its newest campus in New Oko-Oba, Lagos State, the founder of the institute, Emmanuel Akapo, revealed that the academy has DJ Gosporella as Head of Faculty.

According to him, the goal at the inception of the training institute in 2007 was to close the gap between what was being taught in music schools, and what the student wants to be. But with the increase in demands for specialisation in gospel music, the new academy became necessary.

“Prior to its establishment, what was obtainable in Music schools was the teaching of classical music when our musicians wanted to be afro-beats artistes, gospel, hip-hop, rhythm, and blues, etc. So, after teaching in over 20 music schools across the world, I felt it was about time to give it a trial.” Akapo said.

Tenstrings was founded to cater to the needs of young music artists who desire to build careers in contemporary music (Hippop, Reggae, R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Rock, Highlife, Afrobeat, etc) by equipping them with all-encompassing music & business training. This is the reason the institute adopts what is called a dynamic curriculum (we are constantly adjusting our course contents & delivery to align with global trends in the contemporary music business).

The school, which is currently running on six campuses in FESTAC Town, Lekki/Ajah, Ikeja, Surulere, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, and one in the United Kingdom, with plans to open more centers in other major communities across the country, has trained over 15,000 students from 16 countries over a period of 15 years, including many fast-rising and highly successful music stars.

The stars include DJ Lambo, DJ Spinall, Eva Alordiah, and Judikay, amongst others.

Akapo, who has worked with other notable stars like the late Sound Sultan, Bez, Brymo, and others, noted that with the institution’s membership with the International Society for Music Education (ISME), the institute is poised to drive its students toward international best practices in every genre of music they choose.

The school is the official partner and testing center for Rockschool (RSL Exams, London) in Nigeria. It is also the official agent for Falmouth University and SAE Institute in Nigeria.

“We are preparing our students for the global stage. Our vision is to produce successful musicians and music professionals who would continue to grow and remain relevant.

We are to innovatively help young talents to realise their dream of becoming a successful contemporary musicians; to raise musicians and music professionals who will be truly successful and will continuously remain relevant in the ever-changing global music market, to raise role models who will become giants in music & general entertainment business, and propel the African entertainment industry to global limelight.”

Speaking on some of the challenges of running a world-class music training school in Nigeria, he identified the major one as insufficient funding.

According to him, all the progress that the school has made since its existence has been from tuition, and this is not enough to meet the huge market available for the music industry all over the world.

“We have never received a penny from anywhere in terms of grants. Local or state governments have not given us a dime at any point in time. So all the growth you see we have made these fifteen years have been organic. I have learned that as important as money is, passion is what it takes to keep a dream alive”, he said.

Tenstrings is duly registered and accredited by the appropriate government agencies in Nigeria and is affiliated with several reputable universities around the world. We are also incorporated in the UK  and operating there as “Africa Heritage Academy UK Ltd.”

Emmanuel Akapo is a creative entrepreneur, record producer, writer, music educator, artist manager, and showbiz consultant.