A Musician's Portrait: Brandon Blake
Brandon Blake, a multifaceted individual juggling roles as a preschool teacher, brain injury support group leader, musician, animal rights activist, and volunteer, shares his daily life and his profound connection with the Kalimba Sansula in an interview with Annalena Horl for Hokema, Germany. His routine begins with caring for his cats, followed by preparing breakfast and spending eight hours at school focusing on the social and emotional development of young children. Post-work, he finds solace and creativity in playing the Sansula or bass, highlighting his commitment to self-care and artistic expression.
Brandon’s job satisfaction stems from nurturing positive behaviors like kindness, empathy, and respect among preschool children, aiming to cultivate a future generation free of xenophobia, racism, and aggression. He was drawn to the Sansula as a means to disconnect from the digital world and engage in a more tactile, musical form of expression. Since discovering the Sansula in 2015, it has become an integral part of his life, offering him solace, therapeutic benefits, and a medium for musical creativity.
He utilizes the Sansula across various aspects of his life, from calming preschool children and entertaining nursing home residents to providing healing in brain injury communities. Brandon praises the Sansula for its ease of use, therapeutic potential, and adaptability, including his innovative use of magnets to alter its notes for performance flexibility. He regards the Sansula as a serious musical instrument, validated by his performances with renowned musicians like Victor Wooten, where his unique playing techniques were celebrated.
Brandon’s favorite Hokema instrument is the Sansula Renaissance for its durability and sound quality, making it suitable for both young children and therapeutic applications. His journey with the Sansula began after a life-altering accident that left him with severe injuries and a traumatic brain injury, from which he has been recovering with resilience and positivity. Now leading a group for young patients with brain injuries, Brandon views every moment as "bonus time," a second chance at life enriched by his experiences, relationships, and music.
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Brandon’s job satisfaction stems from nurturing positive behaviors like kindness, empathy, and respect among preschool children, aiming to cultivate a future generation free of xenophobia, racism, and aggression. He was drawn to the Sansula as a means to disconnect from the digital world and engage in a more tactile, musical form of expression. Since discovering the Sansula in 2015, it has become an integral part of his life, offering him solace, therapeutic benefits, and a medium for musical creativity.
He utilizes the Sansula across various aspects of his life, from calming preschool children and entertaining nursing home residents to providing healing in brain injury communities. Brandon praises the Sansula for its ease of use, therapeutic potential, and adaptability, including his innovative use of magnets to alter its notes for performance flexibility. He regards the Sansula as a serious musical instrument, validated by his performances with renowned musicians like Victor Wooten, where his unique playing techniques were celebrated.
Brandon’s favorite Hokema instrument is the Sansula Renaissance for its durability and sound quality, making it suitable for both young children and therapeutic applications. His journey with the Sansula began after a life-altering accident that left him with severe injuries and a traumatic brain injury, from which he has been recovering with resilience and positivity. Now leading a group for young patients with brain injuries, Brandon views every moment as "bonus time," a second chance at life enriched by his experiences, relationships, and music.