From Nairobi Slums to Global Stages: Zeynep Alpan and Taya König-Tarasevich on Leading a Boot Camp for Ghetto Classics
In a powerful demonstration of music's transformative potential, established musicians and educators Dr. Zeynep Alpan (USA) and Prof. Taya König-Tarasevich (Germany) joined forces to lead a unique pedagogical and performance-focused boot camp for tutors and students of the Ghetto Classics Initiative in Nairobi. Alongside their international performance careers and a deep commitment to music education, Zeynep and Taya are now spearheading a collaborative journey.
Thanks to both teaching artists and their longstanding pedagogical expertise gained from training across Europe and the US, the boot camp has become a powerful building block within the Ghetto Classics initiative. With its clearly structured programs, the boot camp is designed to foster growth, set new standards in sustainable musical skill development within its community of young tutors, and refine musicianship for its students.
With great synergy, the two artists brought to life a comprehensive program that prioritized accessibility, empowerment, and artistic excellence with mindfulness and attention to detail. In collaboration with the GC initiative's administrative team, they marked the overall strategic approach to the teaching and learning process for the program participants.
Zeynep and Taya with Tutors © Abigail Bosco
Following the boot camp’s success in Kenya, both musicians resumed their international engagements—Taya performing with her Verità Baroque Ensemble at the Köln Philharmonie in September and Zeynep returning to New York to begin her academic year as a teaching artist with the New York Philharmonic and the Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s.
Their continued artistic presence on global stages reinforces the impact of their collaboration in Nairobi and the value they place on music as a vehicle for transformation and exchange. In a joint interview, the two artists reflected on their experience and how their time with Ghetto Classics shaped their perspectives as performers and educators.
In a joint interview, the two artists reflected on their experience and how their time with Ghetto Classics shaped their perspectives as performers and educators.
Q: How did your collaboration with the Ghetto Classics program begin? What was the preparation process like for the bootcamp?
Zeynep Alpan: I joined the initiative in November 2023 with the goal of co-developing an educational framework that would meet the programme’s unique needs. Before diving into bootcamp preparations, I spent time building trust and understanding the community. Our shared vision was clear: to create a nurturing environment where excellence and access could go hand in hand.
Taya König-Tarasevich: My journey began a bit later, in April 2024, when I was introduced to the Art of Music Foundation and Ghetto Classics. I was immediately inspired by the depth of their 15-year legacy. Meeting the tutors—these incredible individuals who are actively changing lives through music—was profoundly moving. It felt essential to contribute meaningfully to their ongoing efforts.
Zeynep: We realised that the best way to contribute to the intitiative would be in a collaborative bootcamp, where we could merge our efforts in creating a nurturing experience for tutors and students. We learned a lot about the community, and realised that mentoring aspect is the key, so we wanted to contribute to the contunous pedagogical development of young tutors of ghetto classics, to enlarge their aspirations. process unfolded in three phases: community engagement, implementation, and reflection. The bootcamp itself was the culmination of those efforts, but it also marked the beginning of a long-term approach to raising both pedagogical and performance standards.
Taya: We worked intensively together for six months, tailoring the programme based on feedback from the tutors. We asked them what was working and where they needed the most support. The planning was all-consuming—it became a part of my everyday thinking.
Tutor Bootcamp Backstage © Abigail Bosco
Q: What surprised you most during the bootcamp?
Taya: What really struck me was the tutors' resilience and joy. Growing up in post-Soviet Siberia, I could relate to some of the struggles they were facing, but what stood out was their trust in each other and their unwavering positivity. Despite the challenges, they were so eager to learn and grow, and it was honestly inspiring to see.
Zeynep: I completely agree. Coming from a different background, I was amazed by how quickly they embraced new ideas and applied them. It wasn’t just theory—they were integrating what we discussed in the morning into their classrooms by the afternoon. The speed of their growth was incredible.
Taya: And it wasn’t just about the tutors. Watching the students, especially those who were performing for the first time, was beyond anything I expected. Their confidence grew so much in such a short time—it really showed how powerful this process can be.
Zeynep: Exactly. In just one week, we became a real team, and the transformation we saw was so rewarding. It reminded me of why we’re here—this kind of change, this kind of growth, is exactly why we do this work.
Recorder Student © Abigail Bosco
Q: Were there any moments that particularly stayed with you?
Taya: Dancing with the tutors during a break was unforgettable—it was a spontaneous, joyful exchange of culture. And the final concert, when everyone stood up to sing and dance—it was a celebration of everything we built together. For me, it was such a powerful reminder of why pedagogy means so much. Watching the children take those first steps onto the stage, with all their effort and excitement, was such an emotional moment.
Zeynep: I completely feel that. The concert, especially, was a highlight for me. There was this incredible sense of unity in the room—the kids, the tutors, the whole community—everyone came together in such a meaningful way. It was meaningful to see them apply the skills they had worked so hard to learn—it wasn’t just about the performance. It was about the growth, the courage to try something new, and the joy they found in it. And the support they got from their community, from their tutors, it made all the difference. It was such a beautiful thing to witness.
Taya: Absolutely. It was more than just a concert; it was a space where everyone shared in something bigger than themselves—joy, purpose, and growth. Seeing them shine like that, knowing they had built something together, was truly special.
Q: What were your key takeaways?
Zeynep: The power of encouragement. When people feel supported, they can transcend their limitations. The whole experience felt like a reminder of how powerful education can be—not just for building skills, but for building connections, for empowering people, and for creating real moments of joy.
Taya: For me, it’s all about perseverance and gratitude. No matter where you come from, it’s the drive to keep going and the positivity you bring that truly shapes everything. The students and tutors in Kenya really embodied that—watching them push through challenges with such determination and openness was incredible. But what stood out the most wasn’t just their ability to overcome; it was how they allowed themselves to be vulnerable, to grow and uncover parts of themselves they hadn’t known existed. There’s something so powerful about seeing people step into their true potential—especially when they do it in a space where they feel safe to be their authentic selves.
Zeynep: I love that you mention authenticity because for me, the whole experience was about breaking boundaries—cultural ones, personal ones, you name it. What we saw was this beautiful exchange of ideas, where people from completely different backgrounds came together and really listened to each other. They didn’t just share knowledge—they shared their stories, their hopes, their dreams. And in doing so, they helped each other unravel their true potential. The students weren’t just learning new skills—they were finding their voices, embracing who they really were, and that’s where the magic happened.
Taya: Exactly. It’s so much more than teaching. It’s about creating that space where everyone can connect, can learn from each other, and can see beyond the surface of what divides us. I feel like the experience really opened my eyes to how transformative cultural exchange can be, not just for learning, but for truly understanding each other. It was humbling to witness that kind of growth and to be a part of it.
Through their shared efforts, Taya and Zeynep not only contributed to the development of higher-level skill sets within the Ghetto Classics Initiative, but also modelled an enduring example of cross-cultural mentorship, artistic excellence, and collaborative education. Their work stands as a testament to the belief that music education—when rooted in empathy and partnership—can spark lifelong change, build global bridges, and elevate communities from local classrooms to international stages.