2005 Workshop Teachers and Presenters

 

Duncan Allard, educator and musician, was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Although classically trained at a young age, Duncan has traveled throughout the world, studying drumming, singing, and instrumentation most extensively in Senegal and Zimbabwe. A former student of Abdoulaye Diakate of Tambacounda, Senegal, Duncan has devoted himself to Zimbabwean drumming, mbira, and marimba for the past two years. He has lived and studied with such masters as Julia Tsitsi Chigamba and the Chigamba Family, Sekuru Joe Chari, Reason Muskwe, Never Phiri, formerly of the Zimbabwean National Dance Company, and various members of Mhembero Dance Company. He now performs and teaches with Julia Tsitsi Chigamba and the Chinyakare Ensemble, based in Oakland, California. Duncan is eager to pass on the knowledge of his teachers in an effort to bridge traditional wisdom and culture between Zimbabwe and the West.

Ric Alviso has been teaching and leading Masanga Marimba in northern California for the past 5 years. He has 11 years of playing experience, having studied both in the US and in Zimbabwe with the Chigambas, Beauler Dyoko, and Cosmas Magaya. In his spare time he is a professor of ethnomusicology at Cal State University Northridge

Peta Axelsson was born and lived in Zimbabwe for most of her life where she helped, in all those ways that wives do, to support the work of her husband, Olof Axelsson, at Kwanongoma College of Music. Peta now lives, plays, and teaches marimba in Lund, Sweden and travels with her band of young people, Zimba Marimba, giving concerts all over Europe and Southern Africa.

Erica Azim fell in love with Shona mbira music when she first heard it at the age of 16. In 1974, Erica became one of the first Americans to study mbira in Zimbabwe, and her teachers have included many of Zimbabwe's top mbira masters, past and present, such as Forward Kwenda, Cosmas Magaya, Mondrek Muchena, Ephat Mujuru, Newton Gwara, Irene Chigamba, Tute Chigamba, Chris Mhlanga, Luken Pasipamire, Fradreck Mujuru and Ambuya Beauler Dyoko. Erica has recorded two solo CDs, including "Mbira: Healing Music of Zimbabwe." She currently teaches regional mbira workshop groups throughout the U.S. and internationally-attended mbira camps at her home in Berkeley, California. Erica also directs the non-profit organization MBIRA (see www.mbira.org), which makes field recordings available to mbira enthusiasts around the world and provides financial support to Zimbabwean mbira players and instrument makers.

Jaiaen Beck was introduced to Zimbabwean music by Dumisani Maraire, through an interest in Shona spirituality. Since 1990 she has worked with several Zimbabwean and North American teachers studying Shona music and healing traditions. She has taught music classes to all ages for ten years, and has provided a link for people to network and offer relief aid to rural Zimbabwe for the last four years.

Marigrace Becker recently spent a year in Bulawayo as part of a homestay/service program and is overflowing with enthusiasm to talk about Zimbabwe, specifically Ndebele language and culture

Michael Breez, teacher, performer, director and composer has dedicated 26 years to the study of Shona music from Zimbabwe, mostly with the guidance and support of his mentor, Dumi Maraire. Michael currently teaches marimba to people of all ages throughout the western US. Michael joins us from Hawaii.

Myrna Capp taught at the Zimbabwe College of Music in 1994 and 1999 and performed with Ephat Mujuru. While there she interviewed musicians and now brings these stories to share with us. Myrna teaches music at Seattle Pacific University but has also taught at the University of Capetown and the University of Malawi

Irene Chigamba, Founder and Artistic Director of Mhembero Dance Troupe since 1984, learned to play mbira from the age of eight by watching her father. Her training in Zimbabwean traditional dance began with her father, mother and relatives in the village. Later, as a longtime member of the National Dance Company of Zimbabwe she learned about the performance and cultural context of dances from other regions of Zimbabwe, and gained choreographic skills that guide her work with Mhembero today. Irene teaches mbira, drums, marimba and dance both privately and at the Zimbabwe College of Music. She continues to research traditional dance and music in an effort to preserve the culture in Zimbabwe. Together and independently, Irene and Tute have performed in USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, England, Austria, Mozambique, Zambia, Russia, India, North Korea, China and Malaysia, among other countries.

Julia Chigamba, after many years dancing with Mhembero Dance Troupe, came to the USA in 1999. Two years later, in Oakland, California, she established the organization Tawanda muChinyakare and the music and dance company Chinyakare to share the beauty and wisdom of her culture in the USA. Currently, she is creating - in collaboration with local community organizations, volunteers and now, her family - a new concert-length performance called Bembero Mudengu/Sharing My Story. The project is supported by a Haas Foundation Creative Work Fund grant and premieres June 4 in Berkeley, California. Julia continues to teaches dance, music and culture in Oakland schools and in the community.

Tute Chigamba was born into a family of traditional and spiritual musicians. The son of a master drummer and dancer, Mr. Chigamba has kept the traditions of his musical heritage alive so that now many of his own children and grandchildren lead others in carrying on these traditions. A key player at ceremonies during the struggle for independence from 1972-1979, Mr. Chigamba's popularity has since spread not just across Zimbabwe, but throughout the world. His primary instrument is the Gandanga style mbira, and he has written many of his own compositions. He also performs with an ensemble of eleven family members - Mhembero, the Shona word for celebration. He has introduced thousands of people to mbira and now receives students from many countries at his home in Zimbabwe where he continues to compose songs, make mbiras and hold healing ceremonies.

Musekiwa Chingodza was born into a family of great mbira players in Mwangara village, Murewa, Zimbabwe, in 1970. He began playing mbira at the age of five and is self-taught. Through listening to other gwenyambira, or great mbira players, he developed a strong attachment to and love for mbira music. He says, "Our music is both medicine and food, as mbira has the power to heal and to provide for people. Mbira pleases both the living and the dead." In 1991 Musekiwa was a key member of the band Panjea, founded by Chris Berry. He composed the hit song "Ganda" on Panjea's Zimbabwean album. Currently Musekiwa teaches mbira at Prince Edward School in Harare. He is an excellent singer, dancer and drummer and plays both mbira dzavadzimu and nyunga nyunga.

Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye has taught for the Washington State Arts Commission for over 20 years, sharing her knowledge of music, song, dance, story-telling and Children's games. She has performed for the past 27 years either with Lora and Sukutai Marimba and Dance Ensemble or with Dumi and Minanzi Marimba Ensemble. Lora was born and grew up in Zimbabwe. She now lives in Seattle, where she has worked as a recreation specialist for the Seattle Parks Department for 25 years, mostly at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center.

Fiona "Ona" Connon - Performing, teaching and exploring the rich depths of Shona music have been a large part of Fiona Connon's life now for ten years. She is honored to have helped initiate the first marimba band in Canada - Marimba Muzuva. Hosho and dance are her passions but Ona also composes for marimba, and plays mbira and chipendani. She has enjoyed performing with Tute and Irene Chigamba, Beauler Dyoko, Cosmas Magaya, Dumisani Maraire and has been a member of world beat improv group Spirit Gate, mbira quartet Choto, and upbeat dance band Zimfusion! Ona leads the all women ensemble Olalia and currently is working on a solo CD.

Ronnie Daliyo has been the principal dancer and musician with Mhembero Dance Troupe since 1993. He has traveled and performed in many places around the world with this group and is staying in the San Francisco area with his extended family, the Chigambas.

Rujeko Dumbutshena - Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Rujeko's early life was profoundly influenced by African musicians, healers, and Shona tradition. She left Africa to continue her education in America. Currently Rujeko teaches African dance in New York, tours nationally and internationally and runs Camp Tumbuka with her husband, Chris Berry.

Ambuya Beauler Dyoko is one of the best known female mbira players and singers in Zimbabwe. She has performed with Mhuri yekwa Rwizi/Soul of Mbira groups and her own band for many years in Zimbabwe and throughout the world. She and her 10-member band have made several recordings.

Stephen Golovnin has been playing marimba and mbira "for awhile." Major teaching influences came from Dumisani Maraire and Erica Azim. A bit of a renegade, Stephen adheres to the faith that music will find its purest expression through an open heart and open mind

Pasipamire Gunguwo, "Pasi" began studying Marimba as a child in school in Harare. In 1998 he became Director of the Savannah Arts Centre in Harare where he taught youth, including street kids, and adults and also further developed his skills and began composing and teaching. In 2000 he toured North America with Savannah Jammin including Zimfest 2000. As a member of Feso, Pasi has performed at numerous festivals and benefits and other venues in British Columbia. Since coming to live in Canada in 2001 he has been teaching continuously. He is Director of the Lively Up Yourself music program at the Round House Community Center and Jabulani World Rythms Youth Ensemble and is an artist in residence with the Vancouver School Board. He also gives private lessons for groups and individuals

Walt Hampton is the founder and director of the Rugare Marimba Ensemble at Sunset View Elementary School in Kennewick, Washington. One of the first such school ensembles, Rugare was founded in 1993 and has played throughout the northwestern US. Students are selected as fourth graders; they then rehearse, perform, and travel with Rugare through the end of their fifth grade year. Part of the money the group raises goes to support a child in Zimbabwe. Walt is also well-known for the series of books he has written for music teachers on how to introduce this music in the elementary schools.

Tedd Judd had a long history as a musician in choirs, orchestras, bands, brass quintets, and gamelan before he became a neuropsychologist and then a marimba player and teacher. He has studied and performed with Dumisani Maraire and has also studied with many other Zimbabweans through many years of Zimfest and other workshops. He has done research and published on the psychology of music and especially on melody perception. He is fascinated with why it is that we hear what we hear and on the many roles of music in different cultures.

Joe Keefe has been a musician all his life and a serious drummer since he was a teenager. His first professional gig was at age 15. In the 60s, he was a jazz drummer and taught drum set lessons. In 1968, he began to study African music at UCLA and continued studying various styles of African, Cuban and Brazilian percussion for the next 25 years. He met Dumi in 1990 and they started Dandaro Marimba Band in Santa Cruz. He has been playing marimba and hosho ever since. Joe began studying karimba (nyunga nyunga) with Dumi in 1990. He has been playing since then and teaching for the last few years. He has also studied karimba with Musekiwa Chingodza. In 2000, he started Sadza, a Santa Cruz county band that plays Zimbabwean music on drums, karimba, mbira and marimbas. He has created several arrangements for Sadza that feature mbira and karimba with marimbas.

MyLinda King played with Boka Marimba between 1989 and 1999. For the last nine years she has been teaching marimba groups in her home, in Portland schools, and at music camps. She also gives workshops to local marimba bands. She enjoys making hosho for the Zimbabwean music community and has written a book, Making Your Own Hosho.

Marilyn Kolodziejczyk has been studying Zimbabwean music since 1993. She plays marimba, mbira, ngoma and especially enjoys singing and hosho. Her teachers include Cosmas Magaya, Ambuya Beauler Dyoko, Musekiwa Chingodza, Tute Chigamba, Julia Chigamba, Mai Chi Maraire and Dr. Dumisani Maraire, along with many others, both Zimbabwean and North American. She has performed with Shumba Marimba and various Kutsinhira marimba ensembles, and currently performs with Kudana Marimba and Vakasara Mbira Group. She has often played hosho in public performances with Zimbabwean musicians Cosmas Magaya, Beauler Dyoko, and Musekiwa Chingodza. She and her family (Mark and Bud Cohen) traveled to Zimbabwe in 1997, and they have entertained many Zimbabwean guests at their home in Eugene, Oregon. Marilyn also serves as Zimbabwe Liaison for the Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center in Eugene

Tendekai Kuture is a music lecturer at Mutare Teacher's College as well as a visiting music lecturer at Africa University in Mutare. He is currently studying at the University of Idaho for a Masters in Music. Tendekai has been teaching mbira, marimba, singing, dancing, drumming and hosho playing for 27 years.

Jennifer Kyker began to play Shona marimba at age ten and mbira at age 14. Jennifer has performed with various artists both in Zimbabwe and in the US, including Tute Chigamba and Mhembero, Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, and Chris Berry and Panjea. She and Musekiwa Chingodza are in the group Hungwe, and have released the CD entitled "Tsunga." She has been teaching hosho, singing, chipendani, mbira and marimba to all ages for nine years.

Russ Landers loves singing, playing mbira, drums and chipendani (mouth bow), telling stories and working for human liberation. On extended stays in Zimbabwe since 1983, he's been guided and inspired by many musicians beginning with Ephat Mujuru, Mondrek Muchena and Tute and Irene Chigamba. In the U.S., Russ's teaching and performance of mbira and chipendani have been enjoyed from coast to coast. He has played in the groups Mutupo, Tatenda, Zawadi, and Chinyakare. Currently, Russ is sharing Zimbabwean music with young people, parents and teachers in the Oakland Public Schools.

Craig LaFollette is not only a marimba player but also a marimba builder. Once he began making marimbas it was natural for him to extend his skills to hosho making. Wonder when his yard will be overgrown with maranka gourds... or is it already?

Joel Laviolette II has studied mbira since 1995, including two years in Zimbabwe where he primarily studied with Newton Gwara (kore-kore style) and Chaka Chawasarira (matepe). He has been playing the guitar for 15 years, which he also studied with Newton Gwara. He has also been making field recordings of numerous types of mbira as well as other instruments such as nyanga, and founded Mhumhi Records. Joel has taught music for over 11 years and has performed with many groups, including Wagogo, Jaka, Common Thread and Nheravauya Mbira Group.

Cosmas Magaya is an internationally recognized mbira player and teacher and is the leader of the ensemble Mhuri yekwa Magaya. He has been an avid student and player of mbira dzavadzimu from the time he was eight, when he `pinched' his cousin's instrument for surreptitious study. Cosmas is a master of the instrument, having studied with many great players. He has performed with the renowned Mhuri yekwa Rwizi mbira group for over 25 years, participating with them in concert tours of Europe and the U.S. He was instrumental in the writing of Paul Berliner's The Soul of Mbira in the 1970s, and continues to work closely with Dr. Berliner as a consultant on Zimbabwean music. Cosmas experienced both sides of Christian and Traditional life as he grew up. His parents were married in the Roman Catholic Church, and his father was a renowned n'anga, or traditional healer, as well as a cultural expert whose advice was sought by people from all walks of life.

Zivanai Masango is an amazingly versatile musician, performer and teacher of Zimbabwean music and culture. Primarily a guitarist, he is also a vocalist, plays trumpet , keyboards, mbira and marimba among other instruments. Zivanai has appeared on hundreds of recordings in various capacities, played trumpet with Thomas Mapfumo, is currently lead guitarist in Chris Berry's exceptional pop band, Panjea. He is also a well-respected sound engineer and producer and recently released a new CD of his own compositions.

Paul Mataruse is from Zimbabwe, but he has been living and studying in North America for the past seven years. Paul's family lives in South Africa, but is originally from Bikita, in the south eastern province of Masvingo. Paul has been playing marimba for 15 years and this is his seventh appearance at Zimfest. He has taught in schools in and around the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe as well as in primary schools in Harare. Currently, he is living and working in San Diego.

Jane Matiure has been a teacher in Zimbabwe for over 20 years in a variety of school settings and with students of all ages. She is now doing in-service workshops for Shona language teachers to help them improve their teaching skills. She is also an engaging storyteller. This is her first time to participate in Zimfest after hearing her husband talk about it for many years

Sheasby Matiure is currently a lecturer in music education at the University of Zimbabwe. He previously taught for some years at Seke Teacher Training College, just outside Harare. He has also acted as manager and artistic director of the Zimbabwe National Dance Company. In 1999, Sheasby was an artist in residence with the International Vocal Ensemble at Indiana University, where he subsequently graduated with an MA in Ethnomusicology. Sheasby is a highly respected musician, adept at playing mbira, ngoma, hosho, and marimba, and at teaching choral singing.

Dr. Patrick Matsikenyiri is a retired music director and faculty member of Africa University Mutare, Zimbabwe. He has had a distinguished career in education as a Headmaster, teacher, and musician in Zimbabwe and is well-known for his publications of African church music and his work with the United Methodist church and the World Council of Churches.

Maria Minnaar-Bailey grew up in Zimbabwe where her love of its music and culture was nurtured by her father, an ethnomusicologist who was also director of Kwanongoma College in the 1970s. Playing marimbas since age 14, Maria currently teaches a community band in Colony, Texas. She has produced two marimba music CDs with her previous youth bands from Brenham, TX and Groveton,TX, as well as a marimba instruction book. After her father's death in 1993 she began manufacturing marimba instruments in the Chopi style, in order to continue the work which her father had begun. Having grown up as a "missionary kid" with a lot of exposure to African church music, she loves to teach singing as well as marimbas.

Ilana Moon has been studying and performing African dance over 15 years. Her principal Zimbabwean dance teachers have been Irene and Julia Chigamba, and more recently, Charles Mzite. Ilana has performed Zimbabwean dances for 4 years with Amani Marimba band of Hornby Island and has been teaching adult and children's dance classes for 5 years. She is also knowledgeable in gumboot dancing and in several West African styles.

Lucky Moyo has performed and taught Ndebele, Kalanga, and Suthu choral music and dance on the international stage for 20 years. He was a founding and core member of Black Umfolosi, the well-known Zimbabwean a capella vocal and dance group. Lucky now works with Music For Change. He is currently residing in Cambridge, England, where he is in the final stages of his MA. His dissertation will explore the needs for professional training for managers in the arts industries in Zimbabwe. Lucky performed and taught at Zimfest in 1997, 2001 and 2002.

Fradreck Mujuru - Zimbabwean Fradreck Mujuru is a talented mbira player, mbira maker, and mbira teacher. Fradreck is descended from a long line of mbira players and mbira makers in the Mujuru family (including his grandfather Muchatera and cousin Ephat), and is a shining talent in his own right. Fradreck lives in Harare and Dewedzo, Zimbabwe, and has performed in Zimbabwe, Europe, South Africa and the U.S.

Fungai "Zhanje" Mujuru was performing mbira with his family in ceremonies at the age of seven. Now he is the "mbira elder" of the Mujuru family. He provides instruction on mbira playing and tradition to the many Mujuru family mbira players, ranging from children up to mature performers like his nephew Fradreck. He is also a wonderful dancer! Fungai has performed throughout Zimbabwe, and internationally, but this is his first visit to the U.S.

Dean Samuel is a founding member of Marimba Muzuva and has been playing marimba since 1992. In 1994 he traveled with Muzuva to Zimbabwe where they studied marimba with Farai Gezi. Dean also studied mbira in Zimbabwe with Musa Chihota and Lovett Paradzai

Michael Sibanda was educated at Kwanongoma College of Music and at the University of Zimbabwe as a music educator. He has taught arranged, and composed for marimba bands in elementary schools in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. His bands have recorded a CD, won contests, and have been invited to perform for Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and Presidents Mugabe and Bush

Sheree Seretse began studying with Dumisani Maraire in 1970, began performing with him in 1971, and teaching with him in 1973. She has been teaching at the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center in Seattle since 1978, where her marimba class developed into a professional group later known as Sukutai Marimba Ensemble. Currently she performs with Anzanga, which she founded in 1986. Sheree teaches classes on marimba, mbira, ngoma, dance and African children's games, and lectures on Shona music at Langston Hughes and around the country

Wanda Walker has taught marimba at the Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center in Eugene, Oregon for several years. She has studied marimba with Maggie Donahue and Gary Goldwater, studied mbira with Cosmas Magaya, Musekiwa Chingodza and Stephen Golovnin, and studied Shona-style singing with Jennifer Kyker, Musekiwa Chingodza and Ambuya Beauler Dyoko, among others. Wanda has performed with Jenaguru for over six years, and with Zambuko for four years. She also teaches private workshops in Shona and Ndebele singing.

Ted Wright has taught gumboot dancing and marimba since 1996, and mbira since 1995. His teachers have included Michael Breez, Farai Gezi, Chris Berry, Cosmas Magaya, Forward Kwenda, Newton Gwara, Tute, Irene, Julia and Garadziva Chigamba and many others. He performed with Marimba Muzuva for ten years, and has also performed with world beat improv ensemble Spirit Gate, mbira quartet Choto, and Zimbabwean roots dance band Zimfusion. This part-time wig maker also plays the chipendani.
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