Use music to change the world, McDell tells students

Jamie McDell with a group of students at Tauranga Intermediate yesterday afternoon. Photo / Ruth Keber

Tauranga Intermediate students took hundreds of selfies with Kiwi singer/songwriter Jamie McDell yesterday.

She is in town with World Vision's Bit by Bit week visiting several schools to share her music and give students some insights into how to use their music to express themselves and speak up for causes they believe in. McDell will also be singing at Bayfair mall this afternoon.

Student Morgan Barrimore, 13, said she was excited when she learned McDell, one of her favourite musicians, was going to visit her school.

"I was so super excited, she will be the most famous person I have met," said Morgan.

"I just love how she is an original Kiwi artist and she is so inspirational with what she does and her songs. I think overall she is just a really nice person."

Morgan regularly listened to McDell's music. Her favourite song was Life and Sunshine.

McDell said the aim of the visit was to create confidence in young children so they had their voice and to teach them to express what they cared about.

"The aim is to introduce young people to the idea that their talent can make a difference. I am an example of that because I have done it through my music.

"It is how I speak and get my own point across to people.

"It's much better to write about something you are passionate about, so I'm really there to teach them about how they can find their own voice. It's really about helping them figure out what they want to say and then being confident enough to say what they want to say."

McDell performed at the school assembly then worked with several music students.

She said she had been discouraged earlier in life by "not being the best science student" or "great at writing essays" but had thrown herself into her music. "Things like music, or just getting up and saying what you want to say, has the ability to change something and make a difference.

"All that other stuff doesn't matter because I have found my thing that allows me to say the things I want to say to make the difference I want to make.

"It's okay to sit back and realise you are different from the kid sitting next to you."

- Jamie McDell will perform at the World Vision "Bit by Bit Puzzle" in the Bayfair Mall today from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

Also on this week with World Vision's Bit by Bit activities

The Forgotten Millions - photography exhibition

When: Today until Sunday, November 15 at 1 Spring St, Red Square.

Music and Hope.

Ever wondered if child sponsorship really works? Wondered how our team gets your money to the field and how it's used? Join musician Nathan King as he plays some of his favourite tunes, before Charles, a former sponsored child from Malawi, tells his incredible story about how his life was dramatically changed due to the generosity of a stranger.

When: November 13, 7pm to 9pm at Bravo Cafe, 20 Spring St, Red Square.

The Bit by Bit Puzzle.

Head down to Bayfair Shopping Centre to see how you and the Bay can make an amazing difference both here and across the ocean with our interactive puzzle. Singer Jamie McDell will be performing live from 3.30-4.30pm today after school.