From Cuba to Polokwane, the soothing Sax prevails
At the recent Business Women's Association of South Africa (BWASA) award ceremony, Review caught up with one of the entertainers for the night, 30-year-old, Ariana Cana Mackenzie
POLOKWANE – Ariana began her music career when she was just 10-years-old, playing the clarinet and saxaphone, among others.
“My main instrument is the clarinet. I got my degree from the Superior Institute of Art in Havana, Cuba, playing classical music. During my school days, I learnt how to play the flute and finally, around 2012, I started learning the tenor saxophone, which I currently play the most,” she explains.
She added that playing the saxaphone is difficult on a technical basis, however, with passion and dedication anyone can overcome any challenge, no matter what it may be.
https://www.facebook.com/100008361366385/videos/vb.100008361366385/2016544868634206/?type=2&video_source=user_video_tab
Ariana is originally from Cuba and comes to South Africa on a regular basis to visit her family, who resides here. “I first came to South Africa in 2003 to visit my father. He has been working here as a medical doctor since 1996. Ever since, I felt in love with this country and I’ve been coming up and down, spending most part of the year around here and in some cases I get the opportunity to perform my music at events,” Ariana says.
When asked to describe herself she says she’s the type of person that enjoys sharing knowledge with others.
“I am very friendly too, I like to make new friends. I love everything that is related to art, I love life. I’m a little reserved, sometimes and I enjoy loneliness,” she says.
Ariana also likes to see people do well in life, especially young girls. “‘I’d like to encourage young girls to fight for what they want to achieve in life. No matter what, we’re intelligent, strong, wise and beautiful, that’s our gift, so, let’s not fear. Never be insecure, rather overestimate yourself because we are all winners in our own right,” she says.
