From teacher to student Andre broadens horizons abroad
View(s):Andre David is a name synonymous with the local performing arts. The progeny of artistically gifted parents, Andrew and Mary Anne David, young Andre was steeped in the world of theatre and music for as long as he can remember. His first performance at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, then known as the Oberoi was as a six-year-old.
Andre David: Keen to give back. Pic by Ranjith Perera
Following in his parents’ footsteps Andre has tap danced and sung across Colombo’s theatre platforms. But his biggest role is that of a teacher, following in his mother Mary Anne’s footsteps. This year marks his 14th year of teaching. Having established his own school of performing arts- DAPA in Sri Lanka back in 2010, Andre, who lives in Australia is back in Sri Lanka for a short holiday doing what he loves most beside performing: teaching.
“I wanted to go out of Sri Lanka to one day come back and help Sri Lanka,” he explains. It’s been close to 18 months since he and his family put down roots in Perth, Australia. For Andre, the prospect of doing a stint abroad was primarily educational. “My main reason for going was to educate my kids,” he explains. But it also proved an opportunity for the thespian and teacher to grow as well. Although an experienced voice coach, Andre was humbled by how much there was to learn.
The Davids call the easy going coastal city Perth their home. Known for its laid back mentality, Western Australia’s capital “is the place for contemporary music and acting” ideal for the young family’s start. Hoping to soon break into Sidney’s Broadway scene, Andre’s current life is a constant rotation from teacher to student to stay at home father. When he returns he will be starting his third term as a teacher at the Forté School of Music- an established chain of schools around the country (he laughingly calls it the McDonalds of music). When he’s not working, Andre self studies at the Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts; home to renowned names in theatre-Hugh Jackman and Tim Minchin.
Andre spent Saturday conducting a workshop for teenagers involved in the performing arts between the ages 13 and 17. “This was an off the cuff thing,” he shrugs. The workshop included many of the techniques and tips Andre has picked up both as a teacher and a student. “When they practise, they practise smart, not hard,” he says of training in Australia. Before he went, Andre, like many, were the products of ‘old school’ hard work and endless hours of gruelling rehearsal. “I myself was very strict,” he concedes with a wry smile. So he was surprised when his new rehearsal schedules were two hours of him singing the same line till it was perfect, rather than the 10 hour nonstop runs -through he was used to back home. Technical perfection was at the top of the trainers’ requirements. “Here we go through it for 15 minutes, then we wing it,” he says bluntly.
It makes sense then that his workshop began with a segment on technicality and the science behind singing and singing properly. “There is no right or wrong when it comes to music, but there is for technique.” Since he left one and a half years ago, Andre has lost his voice “just once”. Vocal training isn’t limited to the few hours spent learning music and stretching the vocal chords. Voice therapy and care is equally important. He himself recalls doing a 12 day show at a stretch before going hoarse. “But in Aussie and the US they do 8 shows a week” -vocal technique helping in voice endurance.
“One thing I learnt is to systematically break down everything” so that attention is given to every detail, he says. He noticed that director and teachers would break down singing and choreography. “You’re supposed to think before you do it” he explains, budding artists and dancers using muscle memory and conditioning to perform effectively, much like athletes.
Andre’s workshop had a message for the young talent attending. Teaching them how to manage their other activities while nurturing their art professionally is high up on his list. “The system abroad is such that you can make it your profession,” he says of the training centres where even adults come to train and practise. “So if you want to switch your career, you can,” he says positively.
His ideals aren’t blanketed from reality. Although he aspires to come back to Sri Lanka and up the local theatre platform, he knows it won’t be easy. “But if you look at an artist, it always starts with an idea that people don’t think will work.” Hoping to be back next year with a workshop on stage craft and production, inching towards his ultimate goal, Andre is content for now. “I’m happy it’s opening these kids’ eyes to what they don’t think they can do.”