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Fiji holds workshop for aspiring artists
Fiji jams with one of the youth that took part in a three-day summer workshop for aspiring artists last week at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. (Mackenzie Perez)
Island artist George Veikoso, popularly known as Fiji, held a three-day summer workshop for aspiring artists on Saipan last week at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.
Fiji gave lessons on songwriting, production and engineering, vocals, and language to those who attended the workshop held from July 27 to 30.
“Just use your ear for listening to the melody. If you can play an instrument you can start from the progression and go from there and dwell on something you can relate to and write about that. There are many ways to do it but what I encourage you to do is to continue to do it until it kicks in,” Fiji commented on how to write original songs.
”I’ve been talking about this workshop for two years with the governor (Ralph DLG Torres) because I saw kids with ukuleles walking around school, and I was inspired to share something. Because I see that there’s no scene here, and I wanted to be able to encourage the artists who really get into it. Music is their passion. Music takes them away from a lot of negativity.”
“Further promotions for me would be putting my music on iTunes, but I’m not here to promote my music, I’m trying to promote Saipan’s artists and music,” he said.
After the performances of local kids and the elderly, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres gave a token of appreciation to Fiji.
“On behalf of The Association of Indigenous Marianas Artists, the government, and all musicians, family, friends and my better half, Lady Diann Torres, we give this token to you and your group for the dedication and commitment, and most of all to the sincere and genuine help to get us to that level,” said Torres.
Fiji is a Fijian classic reggae, hip hop, R&B, and jazz vocalist, songwriter, music producer, and occasional actor. He was born in Fiji but raised in Hawaii.
