Jack White made a special trip recently to Mexico City to appear at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Fermatta Music Academy in Mexico City on August 22, 2013.
None of the 150+ students or the local media in attendance were aware that Jack would be appearing at the ceremony until, after a short speech by Fermatta National Council President Professor Georgia Carrera, he was introduced at the event by the internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Elan.
Jack addressed the Fermatta Master Class with a speech that touched on topics including his earliest days as a musician, the support and encouragement of his parents, the various people with whom he created music in his formative years in his hometown of Detroit, his progression from the drums to the guitar and other instruments and the factors that shaped his writing and performance skills along the way. Jack’s presentation also extolled the importance of spontaneity, spiritual connection to musical instruments, and knowledge and skills such as harmony, reading or playing techniques in all aspects of making music–especially in finding one’s unique musical voice or mode of expression.
“The sense of being a musician”, White said at one point, “is making art, and I do not care whether it is solo or as part of a collective project. At all times I seek to express myself, and different circumstances of my life could also become multiple creative and stylistic channels… I seek to communicate my experience through the specific art I chose as a way of expression.”
The Academy also awarded Jack White with a Lifetime Achievement Award and the title of Honorary Dean, the first recognition of its kind granted by Fermatta in its 20 year history, at Fermatta Fest.
The Fermatta Music Academy is dedicated to providing the highest quality in professional music education in Latin America. As one of the leading music schools in Latin America, Fermatta is the only music school in Mexico offering eight Bachelor degrees, six postgraduate Master degrees and two Doctorate degrees in contemporary music that is recognized by the Mexican Government’s Secretariat of Public Education (SEP). The Fermatta Master Class Series is a compilation of life lessons molded into a practical guide to the creation and business of music. The program is offered at Fermatta’s music schools in Guadalajara and Mexico City.