Abe van den Berg is a ukulele and classical guitar teacher, learning experience designer at Mobile Music Academy, and the creator of Laughing Abe - a musical education superhero who promotes kind learning with visual support.
He won a grant to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch after his team won the National Technology Olympiad in 2006 and, after graduating, furthered his studies in music, languages, and creative arts while travelling.
Abe has played double bass in various orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra, in 2009, and developed his own ukulele teaching method in 2017. He’s determined to make learning to play the ukulele and other musical instruments fun and engaging and wants to create a more inclusive education system with visual support.
We asked Abe a couple of questions to help you get to know him, before he takes the TEDxCapeTown stage.
What's your X? AKA: What's something you're really great at?
I am the world's most creative ukulele teacher. I can play the ukulele while doing the hula hoop and playing the harmonica at the same time. I can also solve the 2x2x2 Rubik's cube blindfolded, speak 4 languages fluently and can understand 4 other languages. I know several computer languages, play 5 different musical instruments, and I can play music by ear.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
The skill to tell my story in the best way possible.
One sentence describing what your idea worth sharing is.
Follow your dreams by combining your unique talents to help others, find meaning in life and joy in your work.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Learning a new song.
Any favourite TED/TEDx talk?
"The tribes we lead" - Seth Godin
