In South Africa, the Music Academy of Gauteng is one of the few remaining community-based schools for music. It provides a much-needed arts education for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The center boasts a team of dedicated musicians who strive to inspire talented youths. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more.

Rhythmic and perfectly harmonised, South Africa's up-and-coming Jazz players are reaching far beyond this school.

JULIE SCHEIER JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA "For over 24 years, the Music Academy of Gauteng has nurtured and developed South Africa's young musical talent. Many who attended the academy have gone on to become big names in the country's jazz scene."

Founded by late legendary trumpeter, Johnny Mekoa, he started the academy for youth coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.

HENDRICK MONYEKI TEACHER, MUSIC ACADEMY OF GAUTENG "I actually came to this school and I was a teenager. The old man took me, he groomed me and taught me what jazz is. What is important is the passion. I see a lot of people who come here. But if they don't have passion then they drop out somewhere in the middle, but when they have passion, they stay until the end of the programme."

Through the years, the academy has hosted numerous overseas jazz professors who conducted workshops and master-classes to students.

PATRICK BEBELAAR GERMAN PIANIST "As long as they practise and they go to school and practise they can stay here, they get food, a place to sleep and so I met many kids, youth who start to play here and then I met them after some years at the University of CT and KZN and I realised how big this chance. So I want to be a part of this chance giving institution."

Johny's passing last year left a void in the local jazz fraternity.

SISWE NTULI STUDENT, MUSIC ACADEMY OF GAUTENG "It has been a sad moment when we lost our head of the school, Dr Johny Mekoa. Because he is one of the very highly-influence of person in our lives because he has taught us how to play, not only playing but discipline."

But, his teachings and the opportunities he gave the youth will live on through his students.

TSHEPO MOEKETSI STUDENT, MUSIC ACADEMY OF GAUTENG "I decided to take trumpet and further my studies and study trumpet, as I am studying trumpet I am studying music, it helped me a lot because during my childhood I used to stay away from many harmful things, many bad things up until today because of trumpet, it took me away from the street from bad things that were happening and it also taught me discipline and love because you can't do music if you don't have love."

SISWE NTULI STUDENT, MUSIC ACADEMY OF GAUTENG "Passion is the only thing that pushes you in to doing more of what you like, though there are a lot of challenges, it's not as if we don't go through them, and we come across them, but because of passion, passion is the main thing that keeps a person going."

JS CGTN JHB SA.