For more than a decade, Dennis Tini has devoted himself to a cause that is dear to his heart - providing music teachers and students in South Africa with instruments and teaching materials and.
Tini, professor and chair, Wayne State University's Department of Music, views his effort as a labor of love.
"It's amazing to see how lives have changed," said Tini, an accomplished jazz pianist. "I'm fortunate to be involved in helping."
Tini's interest in South Africa's music scene began to blossom during a 1991trip while he was serving as president of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Appalled at the conditions under which teachers and students were working, Tini founded the IAJE International Music Relief Effort for South Africa, which brings instruments and textbooks to the teachers and students. While in South Africa, he gave the keynote address at a music advocacy conference, participated in workshops and clinics and performed with South African musicians, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo - the group that worked with Paul Simon on his Graceland album.
Tini was hooked.
"The goal was not to Americanize, but to respect South African tradition and music," Tini said. "They knew what they wanted. The music is theirs. They're doing it their way."
Tini's efforts helped establish a thriving South African IAJE chapter and taught chapter officers how to work with local corporations and organizations to get support and sponsorships. As a result, Standard Bank now sponsors an annual festival and the South African Music Rights Organization sponsors scholarships for students.
Over the years, much has changed in South Africa - having abandoned apartheid for a democratic government. But Tini's devotion to helping the teachers and students has not. He has returned to South Africa three times since his first visit. Each time has carried with him instruments, textbooks and other teaching materials donated by his colleagues and the music community.
"The response and the generosity has been overwhelming," Tini said.
One example is the generosity of Ed Shaugnessy, former drummer for The Tonight Show during the Johnny Carson years. Shaugnessy donated drum sets worth an estimated $10,000.
Each time Tini returns, more and more students and teachers show up. Previous students return as new teachers, quadrupling the number of teachers involved.
"When we return, the response is like 'They're back.' We're like a family," Tini said.
Tini and former student and current colleague Chris Collins are hoping to return to South Africa in June. They continue to raise money for the effort.
In addition to his full-time faculty position, Tini is director of choral activities and co-founder of the Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Program, and serves on the board of directors for the Chamber Music Society of Detroit and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Education Advisory Council. He also has recorded several jazz CDs with Collins and conducted a concert chorale on a European tour.
The Wayne State University College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts is educating the next generation of visual artists, musicians, communication professionals and professional actors and dancers. The college offers 16undergraduate and 12 graduate programs in Art and Art History, Communication, Dance, Music and Theatre with students benefiting from expert faculty and excellent resources such as the nationally recognized Hilberry Theatre.
Fast Facts
- Residence: Farmington Hills, Michigan
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Choral and Music Theory, Wayne State University Master's degree in Choral and Music Theory, Wayne State University
- Years teaching at WSU: 29
- Career Highlights: Chair of the Department of Music, Director of Choral Music and Co-Director of the Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media Program at Wayne State University in Detroit
- Co-founder of the Jazz Studies program at Wayne State University
- Past-president, International Association of Jazz Educators
- President, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society
- Conducted orchestras and soundtracks for Hollywood movies
- Composed music for documentaries/commercials
- Performs with his Quartet, the Detroit Symphony, Jon Faddis, Buddy Rich, J.C. Heard, Don Ellis, and his wife April Arabian-Tini
- Honors: President's Award for Excellence in Teaching
- President's Exceptional Service Award