I attended a concert performed by the VOX Nativa Children Choir from Taiwan on July 6, 2013. Their voices are pure, harmonious, and beautiful. You can listen to them on the internet (click here) and evaluate it. These children are mostly from the Bunun tribes of Taiwanese aborigines. Like many aborigines in other places, the tribes are at the lowest ring of the society for the most part. Many kids are from single parent, or handicapped parent family. Singing in the choir gives them the opportunity to build their confidence and pride to have a dream. Their story is inspirational for all of us.
Vox Nativa Introduction by Director and Conductor Bukut Tasvaluan
Bukut is also a principle of a local elementary school. He has devoted himself to teaching the tribe for 20 years. He deeply feels that the tribe’s living condition and value system are falling apart. It is a vicious cycle that results in perpetual poverty. The children see no future in their lives. Bukut kept wondering what he can do to help these kids.
Words from Director and Conductor Bukut Tasvaluan
At one time of choir competition many years ago, the children withdrew themselves on stage feeling they were inferior to the children from the city. Bukut realized that the children have born gifts in their voices and began his journey to establish the choir. He first equipped himself in learning music and conducting. Through the helps from many people and non-profit organizations, VOX Nativa was officially registered in 2008.
Bukut’s Dream
“I have a dream. I want to foster upward social mobility among aborigines, and I need more tribal leaders here to do that. When you add another PhD to a city, it’s just a drop in a bucket — no big deal. But when a tribal village gets someone who is highly educated, it can change the whole environment…Education provides the greatest opportunity for changing the fate of Taiwanese aborigines.” – Bukut
There are no shortcuts to success. Bukut and Vox Nativa teachers and volunteers commit their days to teaching and guiding Vox Nativa students. They believe that when children start feeling a sense of accomplishment and confidence, they become more independent and grow hopeful of the future. With each choir performance, the children have the opportunity to travel outside of their tribal villages and communities to broaden their horizons and experience what the world has to offer.
Vox Nativa has already seen the positive effects of their program. The school has already been able to send many students to college — 3 of which are attending Taiwan’s most prestigious university, National Taiwan University. The success that the students of Vox Nativa have achieved leaves no doubt that combining music and education leads to more confident and successful people.
Bukut has set his dream big as the choir gradually establishes her reputation. Bukut envisions that VOX Nativa will be at the same level as Vienna Boy Choir on the world stage one day.
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Written July 2013