In that spirit, the children from the Elvis Blue Music Academy are being honoured for completing their first year of music training.

Blue started the Elvis Blue Music Academy to provide musical training to children without the financial means to afford instruments or music lessons. The Academy primarily operates in the informal settlement of Zandspruit, in the West Rand, and was started in partnership with Emthonjeni, a non-profit organisation which serves the community.

Elvis Blue already had a heart for orphaned and vulnerable children – even before he shot to fame. He became involved with a non-profit organisation, Life Community Service (LCS) that operates in a disadvantaged community of the George area in the Western Cape.

Here, he spent hours every week tutoring orphaned and disadvantaged youths. This relationship was the impetus for the creation of the Elvis Blue Music Academy. In partnership with his sister, Kona Brown (who also happens to be the reigning Mrs United Nation SA), the brother-and-sister team successfully piloted the Elvis Blue Music Academy in both George and Alexandra and have now started the roll out into Zandspruit.

The Academy is characterised by small classes, individual attention and access to excellent musical equipment. These elements have introduced the children of Zandspruit to the world of music, not to mention the benefits of discipline, routine and creativity that goes hand-in-hand with it.

Music is a powerful communicative tool. This is exactly why ELB Engineering Services came on board as the chief sponsor of the Elvis Blue Music Academy, when they heard about its activities. “We have a lot of respect for Elvis Blue and for the wonderful work the Elvis Blue Music Academy does. We felt it is a great match for our brand, as we share the same values as Elvis and the Academy. It’s nice to see that we can contribute towards this wonderful initiative,” said Dr. Stephen Meijers, chief executive of ELB Engineering Services.

The Academy’s first class of graduating children will be treated to a special ceremony on the 21 June at ELB Engineering’s premises in Sandton. They will enjoy a day of celebration, rewards and fun with none other than Elvis Blue himself.

This ceremony is the first, but most definitely not the last for the children of Zandspruit. They will continue to receive music training from the Elvis Blue Music Academy over the years to come.