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1998 Program & Registration Guide
University of Victoria - Victoria, B.C., Canada
May 29 - 30 - 31, 1998
(Published April 1998)
Schedule (Summary)
Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28, 1998
o 3-day mbira retreat on Pender Island with Cosmas Magaya
o Daily workshops in Victoria with Chartwell Dutiro
o Concert! Thursday night in Victoria featuring both Cosmas Magaya and Spirit Talk MbiraFriday, May 29, 1998 8:30 - 10:30 Registration (in SUB) 10:30 - 11:45 Opening Ceremonies 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch 1:15 - 3:15 Workshop #1 3:30 - 5:30 Workshop #2 6:00 - 7:00 Dinner 7:00 - 8:00 Village Meeting 8:30 - 1:00 Indoor Concert Saturday, May 30, 1998 8:00 - 9:00 Registration 9:00 - 11:00 Workshop #3 11:15 - 12:30 Lunch & Village Meeting 12:30 - 2:30 Workshop #4 12:30 - 8:00 Village Market, Drop-In Workshops, and One on Ones 2:45 - 7:15 Outdoor Concert Dinner on your own time 8:00 - 1:00 Indoor Concert Sunday, May 31, 1998 9:30 - 10:30 Village Meeting during Breakfast 11:00 - 12:30 Workshop #5 12:30 - 1:30 Lunch 1:30 - 3:30 Workshop #6 12:30 - 5:30 Village Market 3:40 - 6:00 Outdoor Concert 6:00 - 7:00 Dinner 7:30 - 8:00 Closing Ceremonies 8:00 - 1:00 Indoor Concert
Greetings & Notes About the 1998 Festival
Greetings and Salutations!
For those of you not yet in the know, the Zimbabwean Music Festival is a gathering celebration bringing together an international community of students, teachers, performers, and fans of Zimbabwean music. The festival spans 3 days and nights of concerts and workshops surrounded by a weekend village market. Daytime and evening concerts will showcase numerous performers ranging across the musical spectrum of Zimbabwean music, from the deep folk traditions to the jumping electric guitar driven dance grooves of recent years. This year the festival will once again be held on a (hopefully) sunny island in the Pacific--in Victoria, British Columbia, at the University of Victoria. The fun begins Friday, May 29th and continues through until Sunday evening, the 31st.
We are once again honoured to have a number of special guests attending as workshop instructors and/or performers, each bringing his or her own flavours and experiences to help shape this year's festival.
It is indeed a privilege to welcome Cosmas Magaya, well known to our community as a key figure in Paul Berliner's book and companion recordings, The Soul of Mbira. Mr. Magaya has spent the past few months teaching at the Kutsinhira Center in Eugene, Oregon, and has extended his stay in North America in order to join us at the festival. He'll be arriving a few days early to conduct a pre-festival mbira intensive, and will stay on to teach and perform throughout the weekend.
Maria Minnaar is making the long trek up from Groveton, Texas, where she teaches two community bands and manufactures marimbas. Maria grew up in rural Zimbabwe and was encouraged to soak up the cultural and musical influences around her by her father, Olaf Axelsson, an ethnomusicologist and one of the founders of the Kwanongoma College of Music in Bulawayo (a unique opportunity to discover the lineage of the modern marimba ensemble!).
When we found out that Chartwell Dutiro and Spirit Talk Mbira just happened to be booked across the water in Seattle for Folklife (the weekend before ZimFest) we wiped the drool off our chins and got on the phone. They'll be coming up to join us for the weekend, as well as for a series of pre-festival workshops beginning Tuesday, May 26th. Mr. Dutiro moved to London in 1994 where he founded Spirit Talk and Gomararwa Congregation; he is perhaps best known for his 8 years playing mbira and sax for Thomas Mapfumo's Black's Unlimited.
And Rujeko Dumbutshena will be making her first appearance at the festival, performing and teaching a series of dance workshops. She is currently teaching dance at the University of New Mexico and performing with Panjea, as well as directing her own dance company, Vanhu Vamwe.
The weekend format is much the same as last year's, with some minor adjustment: we've added a second workshop slot on Saturday, added a second community dinner before Sunday's closing ceremony, and provided an open stage from noon 'til two on Saturday and Sunday. The popular drop-in workshops will continue, as will the village meetings. Adjudication sessions, introduced last year, are now called One on Ones. Finally, the warmth and joy that literally overflowed the room during last year's evening concerts prompted us to move to a larger hall for this year's concerts. More room for more folks, more room for more dancing, more room to express your joy and love of this music and one another.
So here ya go. All the fixin's to start planning your weekend feast. Pick up a marimba workshop. Toss it in your hand. Feel its weight and texture. Gently squeeze it. Ah, now wouldn't a zesty hosho workshop go nicely with that?
Until May...
Notes About the 1998 Festival
The Weekend Schedule
One on Ones (last year called Adjudication Sessions) are an opportunity for bands to spend one on one time with a teacher. The format is open: work on tightening up a particular piece, obtain feedback on performance styles, or perhaps simply chat over a beer about various philosophies and approaches. The choice is yours. Tell us your teacher of choice and we'll try to set it up. The fee for a 1 hour private session will be $52 (Cdn).Drop-in workshops will be held again this year (albeit a tad more organized than last year). They will generally be 1 hour introductory workshops open to everyone. Sign up on-site beginning at 11:00 am on Saturday on a first-come first-served basis.
Village Market
If you would like information about being a vendor at the Village Market, please indicate on your Registration Form or contact the ZimFest office (250) 384-1997 and we will send you an information package.Meals
This year we are serving up two community evening meals. On Friday night there will be a brai (BBQ) and on Sunday a buffet. The University is catering these meals. You must pre-purchase your African-style meal and both vegetarian/ non-vegetarian options will be available. The price is $10 (Cdn) per meal. On Saturday night you're on your own to round up some grub. The University will be well prepared this year to accommodate our meal-time needs.Remember to bring pens, paper, blank tapes, a tape recorder, a mug and your tooth brush.
Because Sharing Is Good...
If, in a workshop, some instrument or item is requested and you are able to bring extras, please join in the Spirit of Community and bring them along to share. (You can tag them at the registration desk with complimentary masking tape and markers.)Thank-Yous
The 1998 Zimbabwean Music Festival Planning Committee would like to acknowledge those who have come before us. To all of the people who have taught, performed, organized, and attended Festivals and, of course, to the people of Zimbabwe who have inspired us all - our heartfelt thanks.
Something New
MBIRA is a new non-profit organization whose purpose is to "educate the public regarding traditional music of Zimbabwe, including mbira music, and to develop a library of recordings to preserve that music." One of the primary objectives of MBIRA is to ensure that Shona music activities in North America benefit Zimbabwean musicians and instrument makers; this will generally support the preservation of traditional music in Zimbabwe, where economic conditions are very difficult.
The initial activities that MBIRA will be involved with during 1998 include:
1. Offer mbira instruction in the formats of private lessons, weekend intensive workshops and 8-day residential Mbira Camps.
2. Develop and catalog a library of recordings of traditional Shona music, and make these recordings available to the public through cassette sales to universities and individuals. Proceeds of cassette sales will go to Zimbabwean musicians.
3. Obtain mbiras from Zimbabwean instrument makers for mbira students outside Zimbabwe. (Fradreck Mujuru has already requested that we be his sole distributor in North America, to save him from his present shipping hassles.)
4. Support US tours by Shona mbira players.
5. Facilitate "sister village" relationships between villages of traditional Shona musicians in Zimbabwe and groups playing Shona music outside Zimbabwe. Research costs of appropriate donation items, such as latrines (US $60 each), wells/boreholes, solar panels, etc. Determine safe methods for sending donations and verifying that they were used for the purpose intended.
6. Provide help to students travelling to Zimbabwe to study traditional music, including information on music teachers, lodging, transportation, etc.
7. Establish a world wide web site to support all of the above.
To make a tax-deductible donation to MBIRA, or be added to its mailing list, write to P.O. Box 7863, Berkeley, CA 94707-0863, USA. Information will also be available at the festival.
Registration & Fees
Event Festival Fees
(Canadian Funds)Procedure Evening Concerts $10 each (children 6-12: $4)
or $25 for all 3 evening concertsOrder tickets in advance (use Registration Form), or pay at the door Afternoon Outdoor Concerts
Village Market
Village MeetingsFree! Be there Workshops $13 per HOUR Register in advance (see below and use Registration Form), or just show up and register on-site One on One
(adjudication session)$52 per HOUR Register in advance (use Registration Form) Community Evening Meals
(Friday & Sunday)$10 each Must pre-purchase (use Registration Form) Child Care $5 per child per hour Register in advance (use Registration Form and Childcare Registration Form) Forms Available on This Web Site
If anyone has questions, problems or solutions about printing these forms, please send a note to our webmaster.
- Registration Form (print this image)
- Request to Stay at Someone's Home / Childcare Registration Form (print this image)
- University of Victoria On-Campus Housing Individual Reservation Form (web page) [has been removed]
Workshop Registration
Workshop registration is conducted both in-advance and on-site. Many of the workshops fill up, so you are most likely to get into the classes you want if you register in advance. Workshop registration is conducted on a first-come first-served basis. In order to register in advance, you must MAIL a printed Registration Form to our office along with a cheque for payment in full. Faxed or emailed forms will not be accepted. Registration Forms will be processed in order, by the date of postmark.
There are also some drop-in workshops. These are generally 1-hour introductory workshops open to everyone. Sign up on-site beginning at 11:00 am on Saturday on a first-come first-served basis.
The Registration Guide is a complete listing of festival events with registration forms. It was sent to our postal mailing list in early April. The Registration Guide is also available on this web site (as the page you are reading).
Advance Registration Procedure
- Browse the workshops and decide which you want to take.
- Obtain a printed registration form. If you don't have one you can:
- Go to the Registration Form image and print it.
- Email, fax, or phone our office. Give us your name and mailing address and ask us to send you a Registration Guide. You should receive it in the mail within 2 weeks.
- Just show up at the festival and register on-site.
- Fill out the printed Registration Form.
- Look at the other available forms (see above) and fill out those desired.
- MAIL the forms to our office along with a cheque for payment in full.
The Registration Rules
Registration forms will be accepted by MAIL ONLY, must be accompanied by payment, and should not be mailed before April 20th. If we receive your form and it is postmarked before this date, it will be treated as if it was postmarked on April 20. It is the postmark date that matters even if it gets stuck in the mail, weathered by storms and severely bent. Forms will be processed based on the postmark date and then by luck of the draw. Please note: Faxes will not be accepted. Regular post (as opposed to courier) will save your pennies because it is when you send it not when we get it that matters.
If you would like confirmation that your form and money was received include a self-addressed postcard (with NO postage) when you mail in your registration form and we will send it to you confirming that everything was received. This is cheaper and easier for us than a phone call, so please take the time to do this rather than phoning.
T h a n k s ! Refund Policy
Refunds will be issued until May 22nd (minus a $15 administration fee). There will be NO REFUNDS after this date.Money Back Bonus
All Non-Canadians: if you keep your receipts for food and accommodation you can get your GST (Goods and Services Tax) back when you go home. Some minor form filling out (in triplicate, no doubt) is required as you leave the country.
Concerts
Friday Night Concert
Inside Stage, 8:30 pm - 1:00 am, May 29, 1998
Performer From Type Limpopo Port Townsend WA marimba Cosmas Magaya and Erica Azim Mutare ZW, Berkeley CA mbira Kwayedza Eugene OR marimba Russ Landers Oakland CA chipendani Chriseko Albuquerque NM mbira & ngoma Marimba Muzuva Victoria BC marimba Saturday Afternoon Concert
Outside Stage, 2:45 - 7:15 pm, May 30, 1998
Marysville Marimba Ensemble Marysville WA marimba Basa Basa Lebanon OR marimba Ancient Ways Community Ensemble Lebanon OR marimba Sequimarimba Sequim WA marimba The Low Flying Knobs Boulder CO marimba Langston Hughes Marimba Ensemble Seattle WA marimba Saturday Night Concert
Inside Stage, 8:00 pm - 1:00 am, May 30, 1998
Boka Marimba Portland OR marimba Lora and Sukutai Marimba
& Dance EnsembleSeattle WA marimba, dance, drums Spirit Talk Mbira London, England mbira and more Kudana Eugene OR marimba Muchadura Seattle WA marimba Shumba Eugene OR marimba Sunday Afternoon Concert
Outside Stage, 3:40 - 6:00 pm, May 31, 1998
Chimanimani Boulder CO marimba Whidbey Island Marimba Whidbey Island WA marimba Tatenda Santa Fe NM marimba Panjea Albuquerque NM mbira and marimba Sunday Night Concert
Inside Stage, 8:00 pm - 1:00 am, May 31, 1998
Closing Ceremony (7:30 pm) Neck of the Woods Marimba Nelson BC marimba Joy Shulman & Friends San Francisco CA mbira Musasa Marimba Ensemble Friday Harbor WA marimba Cosmas Magaya & Friends Mutare ZW and elsewhere mbira JAKA Santa Fe NM marimba Kuzanga Santa Cruz CA marimba Concert Ticket Prices
Evening Concerts
(Canadian Funds)
$10 for each concert ($4 children 6-12); or $25 for all 3 concerts
Afternoon Concerts
Free!
There is also a concert on Thursday night, May 28th, at the Millenium Jazz Club in Victoria featuring both Cosmas Magaya and Spirit Talk Mbira. The address is 1605
Store St. and doors open at8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling(250) 360-9098. They'll hold tickets for out-of-towners 'til the bell tolls 9 o'clock. This concert is not part of ZimFest, but lots of us will be there having fun! Pre-festival goers and early arrivals can join us in an unofficial, unsurpassed and, yes, unbelievable Zimbabwean Music Festival kick-off party.
Workshop Schedule
Pre-Festival Workshops Tues. May 26 through Thurs. May 28
Mbira dzaVadzimu - Cosmos Magaya - 3-day retreat
Drumming - Chartwell Dutiro - Tuesday 7:00-10:00 pm
Mbira dzaVadzimu - Chartwell Dutiro - Wednesday 2:00-5:00 pm
Dance - Chartwell Dutiro - Wednesday 7:00-10:00 pm
Mbira dzaVadzimu - Chartwell Dutiro - Thursday 12:00-3:00 pm
Marimba - Chartwell Dutiro - Thursday 3:30-6:30 pmWorkshop #1 Friday 1:15 - 3:15
Mbira Dzavadzimu: Babamudiki - Paul Mataruse - 2.0 hrs
Advanced Mbira - Cosmas Magaya - 2.0 hrs
Solo Mbira Singing - Chris Berry - 1.5 hrs
Torn in Two Directions: My Struggle - Maria Minnaar - 1 hr
Bakumba Dance - Rujeko Dumbutshena - 1.5 hrs
South African Gumboot Dancing - Ted Wright - 1.5 hrs
Call and Response: Chigwaya - Jennifer Kyker - 2 hrs
Acoustics of Music - Stephen Golovnin - 2 hrs
Intermediate Marimba - Chartwell Dutiro - 2 hrs
Kusuva Musha on Marimba - Kite Giedraitis - 2 hrs
Composition For Marimba - Peter Swing - 3 hrs
One of Your First Marimba Pieces - Jaiaen Beck - 2hrsWorkshop #2 Friday 3:30 - 5:30
Mbira Dzavadzimu: Neria - Paul Mataruse - 2.0 hrs
Advanced Mbira - Cosmas Magaya - 2.0 hrs
Intermediate Murewa Marimba - Chris Berry - 2.0 hrs
Beginning Hosho - Sarah Noll - 1 hr
Dance Class - Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye - 1 hr
Mbira Singing: Bangidza - Jennifer Kyker - 2 hrs
Preventing Physical Injuries - Mary Ellen Cuthbertson -1.5 hrs
Intermediate Mbira - Erica Azim - 1.5 hrs
Advanced Marimba - Chartwell Dutiro - 2 hrs
Ferai Gezi's Backyard Style Marimba - Ted Wright - 1.5 hrs
Mallet Technique - Stephen Golovnin - 1 hr
Marimba With Maria (youth) - Maria Minnaar - 1.5 hrsWorkshop #3 Saturday 9:00 - 11:00
Mbira Dzavadzimu: Babamudiki - Paul Mataruse - 2.0 hrs
Advanced Mbira - Cosmas Magaya - 2.0 hrs
Intermediate Shona Drumming - Chris Berry - 1.5 hrs
Marimba With Maria - Maria Minnaar - 1.5 hrs
Diné Dance - Rujeko Dumbutshena - 2 hrs
Dance Class - Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye - 1 hr
Mbira Singing: Learning To Hear Mbira - Erica Azim - 1 hr
Musicians and Dancers Eliminating Racism: People of Color Group - Russ Landers - 1.5 hrs
Beginner Marimba - Chartwell Dutiro - 2 hrs
Responsitory Playing (marimba) - Michael Breez - 2 hrs
Beginning Marimba - Joel Lindstrom - 2 hrs
Tea For Two (marimba) - Stephen Golovnin - 2.5 hrsWorkshop #4 Saturday 12:30 - 2:30
Beginner Marimba - Paul Mataruse - 2 hrs
Beginner Mbira - Cosmas Magaya - 2 hrs
Marimba Ava Murewa - Chris Berry - 3 hrs
Marimba and Song with Maria - Maria Minnaar - 3 hrs *
Make Your Own Hosho: From Seed To Tsaba - MyLinda Liebezeit King - 2.5 hrs
Beginning Karimba/Nyunga Nyunga (mbira) - Sheree Seretse - 2 hrs
Mbira Dance - Rujeko Dumbutshena - 1.5 hrs
Children's Games - Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye - 1 hr
Choral Singing - Kelly Takunda Orphan - 1.5 hrs
Intermediate Gandanga Tuning Mbira - Erica Azim - 2 hrs
Advanced Mbira - Chartwell Dutiro - 2 hrs
Composing Your Own Pieces - Michael Breez - 3 hrs
Intermediate Kids' Marimba - Peter Swing - 2 hrs
* Note: 3 hrs in duration, but pay for only 2 hoursWorkshop #5 Sunday 11:00 - 12:30 (Note: this slot is only 1.5 hrs long!)
Intermediate Marimba - Paul Mataruse - 1.5 hrs
Intermediate Mbira - Cosmas Magaya - 1.5 hrs
Advanced Tonga Drumming - Chris Berry - 1.5 hrs
Singing With Maria - Maria Minnaar - 1.5 hrs
Introduction To Chipendani - Russ Landers - 1.5 hrs
South African Gumboot Dancing (intermediate) - Ted Wright - 1.5 hrs
Mbira Singing: Lyrics - Erica Azim - 1 hr
Promoting Your Band - Mary Ellen Cuthbertson - 1.5 hrs
Beginning Mbira - Chartwell Dutiro - 1.5 hrs
Developing Marimba Musicianship - Sheree Seretse - 1.5 hrs
Beginning Kids' Marimba - Peter Swing - 1.5 hrs
Chemutengure (marimba) - Rick Palmer - 2 hrsWorkshop #6 Sunday 1:30 - 3:30
Intermediate Marimba - Paul Mataruse - 2 hrs
Beginning Mbira - Cosmas Magaya - 2 hrs
Mbira Singing - Chris Berry - 1.5 hrs
Mbira With Maria: Familia Tunes - Maria Minnaar - 2 hrs
Intermediate/Advanced Hosho - Sarah Noll - 1 hr
Moving With Magavhu (Leg Rattles) - Kelly Takunda Orphan - 2 hrs
Shona Singing - Chartwell Dutiro - 2 hrs
Musicians and Dancers Eliminating Racism: White Group - Russ Landers - 1.5 hrs
Intermediate Karimba/Nyunga Nyunga - Sheree Seretse - 2 hrs
Beginner Marimba - Neck Of The Woods - 3 hrs
Marimba Works Alport Style - MyLinda Liebezeit King - 2 hrs
Drumming With Marimba and Mbira - Irene Franco - 2 hrs
Workshop Descriptions
(Registration Required)
PRE-FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
(listed by day and time)Mbira dzaVadzimu
Cosmas Magaya Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28
A midweek retreat by the sea on Idyllic Pender Island, British Columbia. Small group mbira instruction (beginners to advanced); evening entertainment and jamming. Enjoy gourmet meals, evening hot tub, scenic hikes, enervating ocean swimming, whale watching, frisbee golf, meditative gardens. The retreat begins Monday evening May 25th, and ends Thursday afternoon May 28th. Each participant will have the opportunity to participate in a minimum of 5 small group sessions with Cosmas as well as ample individual practice time, and time to socialize and enjoy our time together.
Retreat Cost: $200 Canadian ($150 US)Register Early: Limited to 10 maximum Drumming
Chartwell Dutiro Tuesday, May 26, 7:00-10:00 pm
Learn some traditional Zimbabwean rhythms. B.Y.O.N--Bring Your Own Ngoma (some can be provided if you arrange with ZimFest ahead of time.)
Level: all welcome Max participants: 15Mbira dzaVadzimu
Chartwell Dutiro Wednesday, May 27, 2:00-5:00 pm
Increase your knowledge, skills, repertoire.
Level: beginning and intermediate players Max participants: 8Dance
Chartwell Dutiro Wednesday, May 27, 7:00-10:00 pm
Learn some dance steps and maybe a full dance.
Level: all Max participants: 15Mbira dzaVadzimu
Chartwell Dutiro Thursday, May 28, 12:00-3:00 pm
It's Mr. Dutiro, you and only 7 other people.
Level: intermediate/advanced Max participants: 8Marimba
Chartwell Dutiro Thursday, May 28, 3:30-6:30 pm
A chance to learn with Chartwell Dutiro! C'mon!
Level: intermediate/advanced Max participants: 10The above pre-festival workshops with Chartwell Dutiro are offered at the amazing price of $10 (Canadian) per workshop hour, making each workshop fee $30. All lessons can be arranged through the Zimfest office.
Also, Chartwell is offering private lessons Wednesday & Thursday mornings. He is happy to teach marimba, mbira, guitar (mbira style), singing, drumming & dance.
FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
MARIMBA
One of Your First Marimba Pieces
Jaiaen Beck Fri. 1:15-3:15
Learn how to play Nyungwe. This simple piece is a delightful way to begin studying the music from Zimbabwe. If you have never played before, you can start now.
Level: introductory Prerequisites: none Max participants: 10Intermediate Murewa Marimba
Chris Berry Fri. 3:30-5:30
Learn how to play a 6 beat per phrase song called Mudzimuwe.
Level: intermediate Prerequisite: playing fluency of at least 6 songs from the beginning repertoire of marimba music.Max participants: 10 Marimba Ava Murewa
Chris Berry Sat. 12:30-3:30
Learn a rhythmically challenging marimba piece from the Marimba Ava Murewa release. Complete with vocals and mbira accompaniment.
Level: advanced Prerequisites: advanced rhythmical and melodic marimba techniqueMax participants: 12 Composing Your Own Pieces
Michael Breez Sat. 12:30-3:30
In this workshop we will explore some important techniques of composing music for marimba. We will look closely at others' compositions and arrangements in terms of melodic and rhythmical textures as well as how to create lines. We will also discuss some ethical issues. We will then create our own composition based on ideas presented by the workshop participants.
Level: intermediate/advanced Prerequisites: should know all parts to Kukaiwa and WarigamukonoMax participants: 12 Responsitory Playing
Michael Breez Sat. 9:00-11:00
In this marimba workshop we will not only explore playing from a "leader and response" viewpoint, but also from the standpoint of the whole "group mind" interaction. We will cover how/when to play several kinds of variations (on all instruments). We will also learn how to "enliven" any part to any piece.
Level: intermediate/advanced
Prerequisites: should know at least two parts to the following pieces: Kapotso, Mangwanani, Zomba, and Maimbo
Max participants: 12Beginning Marimba
Chartwell Dutiro Sat. 9:00-11:00
Try your hand at marimba and pick up a few Shona words to say to all your shamwaris.
Level: beginning Prerequisites: none Max participants: 12Intermediate Marimba
Chartwell Dutiro Fri. 1:15-3:15
Learn a new song, enhance what you know already--learn how to say "How's it going?" in Shona.
Level: intermediate Max participants: 12Advanced Marimba
Chartwell Dutiro Fri. 3:30-5:30
Learn a new song, enhance what you know already--and finally learn how to say "What's up Big Daddy?" in Shona.
Level: advanced Max participants: 12Kusuva Musha on Marimba
Kite Giedraitis Fri. 1:15-3:15
I will be teaching my arrangement of the mbira dzavadzimu song Kusuva Musha.
Level: advanced Prerequisites: must know ten songs on marimba, including one minanzi song.Max participants: 13 Tea For Two
Stephen Golovnin Sat. 9:00-11:30
An exploration of marimba for two players. Drawing upon mbira pieces such as Taireva and Bangidza and also upon the Malawian valumba style. Several pieces will be taught along with an exploration of variation and development. These pieces will not be notated so be sure to bring a tape recorder.
Level: beginning/intermediate Prerequisite: one year of marimba or mbira (recommended)Max participants: 15 Beginning Marimba
Joel Lindstrom Sat. 9:00-11:00
I will teach basic parts to Kukaiwa, adding the lead and cues as time and group ability allows. Also, I will include information about the history of marimba music in the United States as well as its roots in Zimbabwe.
Level: beginning Prerequisites: none Max participants: 12Marimba Works Alport Style
MyLinda Liebezeit King Sun. 1:30-3:30
Students will learn two marimba songs by Alport Mhlanga. Known as "Mr. Marimba" in Zimbabwe and South Africa, Mr. Mhlanga was one of the early teachers at the Kwanongoma college and counts Dumi as one of his many students. One of his most well-known and loved pieces is Amaxoxo. Students will learn the basic parts to two songs (one of them may by Amaxoxo if most participants don't already know it). Part of the workshop will be devoted to improvising the leads "Alport-style."
Level: beginning/intermediate Prerequisites: at least one year playing marimba
Max participants: 12 (students encouraged to bring marimbas)Beginner Marimba
Paul Mataruse Sat. 12:30-2:30
Stock is a simple song with exciting variations for fast learners who are willing to experiment with different variations within this upbeat rhythm.
Level: beginning Prerequisites: none Max participants: 13Intermediate Marimba
Paul Mataruse Sun. 11:00-12:30, Sun. 1:30-3:30
Chikomba (Shona for "Lover") is a Jiti-based instrumental with highly evolved lead and turner parts that will just blow your mind. You will learn the basic parts to the song as well as the complex underlying structures that reflect Jiti's recognition of "open spaces" within the mish-mash of tempos.
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: a few years playing marimba preferredMax participants: 13 Marimba with Maria: Familiar Tunes
Maria Minnaar Sun. 1:30-3:30
In this workshop you'll learn one or more of the following: Jamaica Farewell; In the Mood; I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Is Gone.
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: experience helpfulMax participants: 9 Marimba with Maria
Maria Minnaar Sat. 9:00-11:00
Learn from one or more the following: Chemutengure (traditional Shona song), Zambezi (popular/Zimbabwe), Dueling Marimbas (arranged from Dueling Banjos).
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: some marimba experience preferredMax participants: 9 Marimba and Song with Maria
Maria Minnaar Sat. 12:30-3:30
See "Singing" workshops for description.Beginner Marimba
Neck Of The Woods Sun. 1:30-4:30
This is for people of all ages who have probably never even seen a Marimba before, let alone played one. We will create a safe and informal learning experience that will include clapping rhythms, a bit of singing, and learning the marimba song Kukaiwa.
Level: introductory/beginning Prerequisites: none Max participants: 12Chemutengure
Rick Palmer Sun. 11:00-12:30
Chemutengure is about the arrival of the Europeans and their wagons in Mashonaland. I will be teaching the marimba and, time permitting, vocals of this lively, upbeat piece. This version is inspired by Ferai Gezi, Paul Mataruse, and Mai Chi Maraire. I first learned this song with Muzuva in Ferai's backyard in Harare--a great experience!
Level: beginner/intermediate Prerequisites: none Max participants: 12Developing Marimba Musicianship
Sheree Seretse Sun. 11:00-12:30
See under "Mallet Technique" for workshop description.Composition for Marimba Ensemble
Peter Swing Fri. 1:15-3:15
Taking an interesting melody or bass line, we will arrange an entire song for the standard eight-piece ensemble. This class is geared toward expressing yourself personally in this musical form. We will cover lyric, instrumental voicing and texture, beat, and relationship to traditional Shona music.
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: 2 years marimba and desire to composeMax participants: 8 Ferai Gezi's Backyard Style Marimba
Ted Wright Fri. 3:30-5:00
Add the rhumba to your repertoire with Ranchera as taught to Marimba Muzuva during their stay in Zimbabwe.
Level: beginner/intermediate Prerequisites: none Max participants: 10
MBIRA
Intermediate Gandanga Tuning Mbira
Erica Azim Sat. 12:30-2:30
Kushaura and kutsinhira parts to Ngozi Yemuroora, a composition by Tute Chigamba meaning "vengeful spirit of the daughter-in-law."
Level: intermediate/advanced
Prerequisites: know kushaura and kutsinhira to at least five mbira pieces well, or have experience playing gandanga tuning (NO BEGINNERS PLEASE!!)
Max participants: 25Intermediate Mbira
Erica Azim Fri. 3:30-5:00
Bangidza, the version on the Mbira Dreams CD. We will sing the mbira lines, then learn to play it.
Level: intermediate/advanced Prerequisites: 2 years playing mbira dzavadzimu, know at least five pieces well (NO BEGINNERS PLEASE!!)
Max participants: 25Beginning Mbira
Chartwell Dutiro Sun. 11:00-12:30
Learn the basics about the mbira with a song, and learn a few Shona words and greetings too.
Level: beginner Prerequisites: none Max participants: 10Advanced Mbira
Chartwell Dutiro Sat. 12:30-2:30
This workshop is for the players of several years to learn something new and refine what they have. Brush off your Shona too!
Level: advanced Prerequisites: Max participants: 10Beginning Mbira
Cosmas Magaya Sat. 12:30-2:30, Sun. 1:30-3:30
Cosmas will teach the basic kushaura part to Kariga Mombe. As time allows, he will teach high lines, variations, and possibly a kutsinhira part.
Level: introductory Prerequisites: no experience needed Max participants: 12
Needed: bring your mbira! (and if possible, extra to share)Intermediate Mbira
Cosmas Magaya Sun. 11:00-12:30
Cosmas will teach a kushaura and kutsinhira part to Nhimutimu. Time permitting, he will teach variations and high lines. Students work on connecting the kutsinhira and kushaura parts.
Level: intermediate
Prerequisites: must be comfortable with Kariga Mombe kushaura and kutsinhira and with a part of the style of Nyamaropa
Max participants: 12
Needed: bring your mbira! (and if possible, extra to share)Advanced Mbira
Cosmas Magaya Fri. 1:15-3:15, Fri. 3:30-5:30, Sat. 9:00-11:00
While studying with Bandambira and John Kunaka in the preparation of The Soul of Mbira, Cosmas learned two pairs of kushaura-kutsinhira parts to the song Bangidza. In this workshop he will teach at least one of these pairs and will teach the other pair and also high lines as time permits.
Level: advanced
Prerequisites: should have played for several years and be comfortable with at least four or five songs (NO BEGINNERS PLEASE!!)
Max participants: 12 participants
Needed: bring your mbira! (and if possible, extra to share)Mbira Dzavadzimu: Babamudiki
Paul Mataruse Fri. 1:15-3:15, Sat. 9:00-11:00
Excite yourself with this upbeat samba style rhythm with lots of "unusual" finger combinations. Rest assured that this kind of Mbira will sound different to what you have come to expect -- true trial and error on this instrument taught me how to go around the fingers and produce the desired effects. Learn something from my experiences in North America (yes, that's right. I experimented until I found out how to do it this way!)
Level: beginner/intermediate Prerequisites: little knowledge requiredMax participants:11 Mbira Dzavadzimu: Neria
Paul Mataruse Fri. 3:30-5:30
Another of the self-taught experiences. This will sound like what you have come to expect. You will recognize this song as something that almost sounds like Chemutengure but you will wonder where it's being played from.
Level: beginner/intermediate Prerequisites: little knowledge requiredMax participants: 11 Intermediate Karimba/Nyunga Nyunga
Sheree Seretse Sun. 1:30-3:30
Focus will be expanding the developments of known pieces. Specific techniques for developing pieces will be thoroughly explained.
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: some practicing on piecesMax participants: 10 Beginning Karimba/Nyunga Nyunga
Sheree Seretse Sat. 12:30-2:30
Learn background, history and beginning history on the mbira.
Level: beginning Prerequisites: none Max participants: 8
SINGING
Mbira Singing: Learning to Hear Mbira
Erica Azim Sat. 9:00-11:00
Learn to hear the many intertwined melodies of an mbira piece through singing them. Particularly recommended for beginning mbira students--this is "mbira ear training."
Level: introductory Prerequisites: none Max participants: unlimitedMbira Singing: Lyrics
Erica Azim Sun. 11:00-12:00
Learn to sing lyrics for the mbira piece Kuzanga, which means "living happily and free from fear."
Level: introductory Prerequisites: none Max participants: unlimitedMbira Singing
Chris Berry Sun. 1:30-3:30
We will use our voices to create a vocal orchestra accompanying the polyphonic music of the mbira.
Level: all welcome Prerequisites: none Max participants: unlimitedSolo Mbira Singing
Chris Berry Fri. 1:15-2:45
This workshop covers singing for a solo or duet performance with the Mbira in Shona and English.
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: tonal understanding and rhythmical fluency within mbira musicMax participants: 30 Shona Singing
Chartwell Dutiro Sun. 1:30-3:30
Learn songs and a bit of Shona from some of the following Shona styles: Jerusarema, Chidzimba, Dandanda, Tasva Tasva (Jiti), Nogororombe, Chipendani, Mbira, and Jocho.
Level: all Prerequisites: none Max participants: unlimitedCall and Response: Chigwaya
Jennifer Kyker Fri. 1:15-3:15
Learn Chigwaya, a call and response traditional Shona song. If time allows, learn mbira kushaura and kutsinhira parts too.
Level: all Prerequisites: none Max participants: 15Mbira Singing: Bangidza
Jennifer Kyker Fri. 3:30-5:30
Increase your knowledge of Bangidza and learn some new variations.
Level: intermediate/advanced Prerequisites: be familiar already with BangidzaMax participants: 20 Singing with Maria
Maria Minnaar Sun. 11:00-12:30
I will teach as many Shona/Ndebele/Zulu songs as we have time for in four part harmony. Examples: Tshotsholosa, Dine Sponono, Juba Lam
Level: beginning
Prerequisites: you should be able to hear, reproduce a part, and hold your part even when those around you are singing something different
Max participants: unlimitedMarimba and Song with Maria
Maria Minnaar Sat. 12:30-2:30
Marimba tune Intombi Yami is taught during the first hour. Song in three or four part harmony Haki Sheba is taught during the second. The third hour combines the marimba tune and song of the previous hours to make wonderful music!
Level: beginning/intermediate Prerequisites: none
Max participants, group A (marimba): 9Max participants, group B (song): 5-30 Choral Singing
Kelly Takunda Orphan Sat. 12:30-2:00
We will come together to create with our voices, move with our bodies and experience the vocal tradition of the Shona and Ndebele people of Zimbabwe.
Level: all welcome Prerequisites: none Max participants: 50Needed: comfortable clothing
DANCE
Dance Class
Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye Fri. 3:30-4:30
This class will consist of a warm-up, cool-down, and dances plus dance steps.
Level: intermediate/advanced Prerequisites: someone who is usually pretty activeMax participants: 75-100 Dance Class
Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye Sat. 9:00-10:00
Introduction to some dance movements and maybe learn a dance including warm ups and cool downs.
Level: introductory/beginning Prerequisites: noneMax participants: 50-100 Children's Games
Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye Sat. 12:30-1:30
See under "Children's" for workshop description.Mbira Dance
Rujeko Dumbutshena Sat. 12:30-2:00
Learn the basic steps and some simple choreography to the Mbira beat!
Level: beginning Prerequisite: none Max participants: 35
Needed: bring comfortable loose fitting clothesBakumba Dance
Rujeko Dumbutshena Fri. 1:15-2:45
Learn a fun dance that utilizes a lot of rhythm in the feet.
Level: beginning/intermediate Prerequisites: familiarity with African danceMax participants: 35
Needed: loose fitting clothing and leg rattles if possibleDiné Dance
Rujeko Dumbutshena Sat. 9:00-11:00
This is a high energy dance with complex rhythmical elements.
Level: intermediate/advanced Prerequisite: 3 years experience with African danceMax participants: 20
Needed: loose fitting clothingMoving With Magavu (Leg Rattles)
Kelly Takunda Orphan Sun. 1:30-3:30
Those already familiar with dancing with magavu, this class is for you! Be prepared for a fast paced dance class that will allow those who have studied dances, such as Mhande and Mbira dance at past Festivals, to further deepen their abilities to move with magavu.
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: experience with magavuMax participants: 30 
South African Gumboot Dancing
Ted Wright Fri. 1:15-2:45
Gumboot dancing originated in the gold mines of Southern Africa, and is found in Zimbabwe. It consists of rhythmical stomps, slaps and claps, along with vocalizations. Ted will teach Stagwa, a dance brought to Canada by Themba Kunene.
Level: beginner Prerequisites: none Max participants: 30
Needed: wear loose clothing and bring gumboots (deck boots will also work)South African Gumboot Dancing
Ted Wright Sun. 11:00-12:30
In this workshop learn JM, a fun and energetic miners' dance. (For background, see above gumboot description.)
Level: beginner/intermediate Prerequisites: must know a gumboot dance alreadyMax participants: 30
Needed: wear loose clothing and bring gumboots (deck boots will also work)
NGOMA (DRUM)
Advanced Tonga Drumming
Chris Berry Sun. 11:00-12:30
We will learn a rhythm from one of the most forgotten about minority groups in Zimbabwe, the Tonga. The rhythm is called Ngossi and is a fairly new rhythm in African standards. It was created to accompany a newly created ceremony to deal with modern problems that have only recently infiltrated into the Tongan peoples lives.
Level: advanced Prerequisites: fluency and deep understanding of African rhythmMax participants: 15
Needed: bring a drumIntermediate Shona drumming
Chris Berry Sat. 9:00-10:30
Learn the rhythms played for Jiti celebrations, usually held on the full moon following harvest.
Level: intermediatePrerequisites: know basic three sounds on the drum Max participants: 15
Needed: bring a drumDrumming with Marimba and Mbira
Irene Franco Sun. 1:30-3:30
Work on drum rhythms for tsaba, minanzi, and shangara feels. Learn how to support, color and highlight mbira and marimba music.
Level: intermediate/advanced Prerequisites: rhythm experience pleaseMax participants: no limit
Needed: bring a drum
HOSHO
Make Your Own Hosho: From Seed to Tsaba
MyLinda Liebezeit King Sat. 12:30-3:00
Receive hands-on instruction in making a finished pair of hosho from dried gourd. Activities include scrubbing the exteriors, drilling the cork holes, cleaning out the insides, carving corks and optional decorating. A video will also be shown on germinating, growing, harvesting, and drying hosho gourds. Each participant will be supplied with two gourds (this year they will be pure maranka!), corks, sports tape, maranka seeds for growing and popcorn for the inside (hota seeds can be purchased if available). All the tools will be provided EXCEPT a sharp knife, which the participant must bring. Please pay $15 USD in advance with your registration fees as opposed to hassling with fees at time of workshop.
Level: Introductory Prerequisites: none Max Participants: 12
Needed: A sharp knife for carving corks
Optional: weeding prongs and bent screwdrivers for scraping out insides; wire brushes for cleaning the exteriors; needle-nosed pliersBeginning Hosho
Sarah Noll Fri. 3:30-4:30
Learn the basics of tsaba and minanzi patterns. Through listening and practice we will get solid grasp of the driving force of Shona music.
Level: beginning Prerequisites: none Max participants: 20Intermediate/Advanced Hosho
Sarah Noll Sun. 1:30-2:30
We will work mostly with the minanzi pattern and cover variations and kutsinhira style. Loosen up your playing, work on your personal style and have fun!
Level: intermediate/advanced
Prerequisites: able to keep a steady pattern going with mbira or marimba
Max participants: 20
CHIPENDANI
Introduction to Chipendani
Russ Landers Sun. 11:00-12:30
Try out the basics of playing the chipendani, a one-stringed mouth bow: plucking, singing and overtones. A few instruments will be available for participants during the workshop. If you can bring one, please call Russ in advance at (510) 763-1722.
Level: introductory Prerequisites: none Max participants: 12
MALLET TECHNIQUE
Mallet Technique
Stephen Golovnin Fri. 3:30-4:30
This workshop covers how to approach marimba with the intent of a) not hurting yourself and b) obtaining the loudest and clearest sound with minimal effort.
Level: all Prerequisites: none Max participants: 25Developing Marimba
Musicianship Sheree Seretse Sun. 11:00-12:30
Class will focus on knowing your instrument, developing listening skills and mallet technique.
Level: beginning/intermediate Prerequisites: none Max participants: 12Preventing Physical Injuries
Mary Ellen Cuthbertson Fri. 3:30-5:00
See under "Presentations, Lectures and Discussions" for details.
PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS
Preventing Physical Injuries
Mary Ellen Cuthbertson Fri. 3:30-5:00
This covers how to play hosho, marimba or mbira without hurting your wrists or arms and what to do if you are developing tendonitis or other injuries. Discussion and "hands-on" session.
Prerequisites: appropriate for new students through experienced players
Max participants: 50
Needed: a set of marimba knobs (not necessary, but helpful)Promoting Your Band
Mary Ellen Cuthbertson Sun. 11:00-12:30
This lecture covers publicizing your band and your concerts clearly and effectively. Basic low-cost promotion and PR ideas for your group, whether it's a class just starting to perform in public, or a band looking to increase its audience.
Prerequisites: be a member of a marimba class or band
Max participants: unlimitedAcoustics of Music
Stephen Golovnin Fri. 1:15-3:15
An introduction to the acoustical science of sound. Fundamentals of sound production, tuning theory, and musical instrument design. Geared toward the musical instrument builder or musician who wants a greater understanding of the acoustical element of their craft.
Level: introductory Prerequisites: none Max participants: 25Musicians and Dancers Eliminating Racism: Two Workshops
Music and dance bring people together while the oppression of racism pulls us apart. Lets join together to end racism while we sing, dance and play! Because of the different roles that racism forces upon people of color, white people and people of mixed heritage, each have different kinds of work to do to recover from it. For this reason this workshop will meet separately in two sections described below. If you're unsure which section of the workshop would be best for you (for example, you're of mixed heritage), or would like more information, please contact me, Russ Landers at (510) 763-1722, LanderNoll@aol.com, 3018 Brook St., Oakland, CA 94611.Musicians and Dancers Eliminating Racism: People of Color Group
Russ Landers Sat. 9:00-10:30
People of Native-American, African, Asian, Latin-American and other heritages have flourished in spite of racism and have fought courageously against it. Come together at this resource group to share your successes, heal from your struggles, and get support for deciding and taking the next step in your liberation.
Max participants: 12Musicians and Dancers Eliminating Racism: White Group
Russ Landers Sun. 1:30-3:00
White European-American lovers of African music are in a perfect position to join together as allies to people of African heritage and all other people of color to end the ravages of racism. Every white person has fought against racism. Come together to share your successes, heal and learn from your struggles, and get support for deciding and taking your next step to eliminating racism from our music community and the world.
Max participants: 12Torn in Two Directions: My Struggle
Maria Minnaar Fri. 1:15-3:15
This lecture is my story about growing up in rural Rhodesia during the rapidly escalating civil war and through the years that lead to Zimbabwe's Independence. It's also the story of my father, Olaf Axelsson, and the musical paths he cheerfully followed into the most remote parts of the bush dragging unwilling daughters behind him in the dust until one day...
Prerequisites: interest and open mindMax participants: unlimited
CHILDREN'S
Children's Games
Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye Sat. 12:30-1:30
For kids and young at heart, this class consists of singing or rhythmic games that have movements or dance steps. Some are just plain games.
Level: all levels welcome Prerequisites: no experience neededMax participants: unlimited Marimba with Maria: African Songs
Maria Minnaar Fri. 3:30-5:00
This is a workshop for youth. Possible marimba songs you'll learn are Otsotsi; Sithiamen; Chiradza II.
Level: introductory Prerequisites: none Max participants: 10Beginning Kids Marimba
Peter Swing Sun. 11:00-12:30
For kids 8 to 14 years old, we will learn a new song for marimba ensemble.
Level: beginning Prerequisites: three months playing marimbaMax participants: 12 Intermediate Kids Marimba
Peter Swing Sat. 12:30-2:30
For kids 10 to 18 years old, we will learn a challenging song for the marimba ensemble. Through this we will look into beat, rhythmical locking, source of song, and arrangement.
Level: intermediate Prerequisites: one year studying marimba ensembleMax participants: 10
Workshop Teachers
Erica Azim has been playing traditional Shona mbira music since 1970, and teaching it for over 10 years at festivals, workshops and Mbira Camps. She has two solo mbira recordings, including the "Mbira Dreams" CD, and produced and performed on the 1997 CD "Forward Kwenda - Svikiro: Meditations of an Mbira Master." Erica recently formed the non-profit organization MBIRA, devoted to educating the public about traditional Shona music of Zimbabwe.
Jaiaen Beck: I began teaching five years ago when I moved to an isolated community in the country. A need to be near music drew me to teach in schools and led me to start a non-profit organization called Ancient Ways. What started with five neighborhood children is now a Zimbabwean music loving community of over forty students of all ages extending from Lacomb to Corvallis.
Chris Berry was 13 when his introduction to African drumming sent him on a musical pathway that would eventually lead to the number one spot on Zimbabwe's hit pick-list. The songs that occupied this coveted position were featured in "Mari Ine Chitema", an album that remained at the top of the charts for the entire year of 1992. Throughout Africa Chris is a respected player and drummer and has played at hundreds of ceremonies dedicated to calling on the ancestral spirits.
Michael Breez has been studying and performing on marimba since 1978. He is co-founder and director for Rufaro School of Marimba and Musasa Marimba Ensemble. In addition to teaching weekly classes at Rufaro, in Friday Harbor, WA, Michael also travels and works with many marimba groups in the western states. He has also presented workshops at various high schools, colleges and juvenile correction facilities.
Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye performs and choreographs for Lora and Sukutai Marimba and Dance Ensemble. She has taught dance classes since the mid-70's and has been teaching African dance, music, and games for the Washington State Arts Commission for six years. Lora was born and grew up in Zimbabwe and now lives in Seattle.
Mary Ellen Cuthbertson lives near Boulder, Co, and is deeply grateful for her involvement in Zimbabwean music. She teaches marimba and mbira and plays with the band Chimanimani; she also played with Chiwoniso Marimba in Boulder and with several student bands in Seattle. She started learning marimba in 1989 and mbira and hosho in 1990. She does booking and publicity for Shona music events in Colorado with her company, Mermaid Productions. She has successfully treated her own "marimba elbow" and "hosho wrist."
Rujeko Dumbutshena was born and raised among the Shona people of Zimbabwe and has a rich life steeped in the ancient music and dance traditions of her people. In 1991 Rujeko left Zimbabwe and since that time has taught classes, lectured, and performed nationally as well as internationally. She is currently teaching dance at the University of New Mexico and performing with Panjea as well as directing her own dance company, Vanhu Vamwe.
At six years old, Chartwell Dutiro chose learning mbira over attending Sunday school. For eight years he recorded and toured with Thomas Mapfumo's Blacks Unlimited for whom he played mbira and sax, and also pioneered arranging traditional Zimbabwean songs for modern ensembles. In 1994, he moved to London and founded Spirit Talk Mbira.
Irene Franco was a member of Marimba Muzuva from 1995 to 1997, primarily playing drums for the group. She has been dancing and drumming since 1983, and is currently a member of Island Rhythm (with Gordy Ryan of Olatunji's Drums of Passion.)
Kite Giedraitis has been playing Shona music since 1986 and began teaching in 1989. He was an original member of Boka Marimba, playing with them for 3 years before traveling in Zimbabwe for a year and Ghana for 3 months. He founded Village Spirit in Portland, Oregon, in 1992.
Stephen Golovnin has been playing marimbas for twenty years. He studied with Dumisani Maraire and Ephat Mujuru and holds a Ph.D. in mbira and marimba tweaking. He spent six months of last year teaching a marimba class and forming an after-school marimba club at a high school in Mabatu, South Africa. He is currently performing locally and regionally with Jaka which based in Santa Fe.
MyLinda Liebezeit King had been playing with and managing Portland's Boka Marimba since 1989. She studied directly with Dumi Maraire, Ephat Mujuru, Mai Chi Nemarundwe Maraire, and Alport Mhlanga and has taught Shona style marimba for the last five years. Growing and making hoshos for the Zimbabwean music community for the last eight years, her book, Making Your Own Hosho, is in its third edition. MyLinda and Fred King's son, Jordan, will be eight months old at his first ZimFest.
Jennifer Kyker was born a little over seven months before Zimbabwe declared independence in April of 1980. In 1995, this 15 year old spent six months with that 15 year old. On March 19 of this year, Jennifer returned from an eight month stay where she studied mbira, singing and a bit of hosho with Tute Chigamba and Musekiwa Chingodza. She performs with Kudana and teaches at the Kutsinhira Marimba Center in Eugene, Oregon.
Russ Landers has played Shona music since 1983 guided by Ephat Mujuru, Mondreck Muchena, Tute Chigamba, Irene Chigamba, Frank Gomba, Simon Mashoko, Forward Kwenda and others. Now based in Oakland, CA, he teaches mbira and chipendani and performs with the group Zawadi. Russ has also led hundreds of workshops and classes in team building, counseling, and human liberation.
Joel Lindstrom has been playing marimba for more than seven years and has been teaching for more than three. As the director of the Kutsinhira Community Marimba Center in Eugene, Oregon, he's had a chance to learn a great deal about the history of marimba and mbira in the Northwest and Zimbabwe. He feels that a knowledge of history helps keep Zimbabwean music in North America a living tradition.
From the time he was eight, having "pinched" his cousin's instrument for surreptitious study, Cosmas Magaya has been an avid student and player of the mbira dzavadzimu. He was instrumental in the writing of Paul Berliner's The Soul of Mbira. For that project he studied with many mbira masters and thus greatly deepened his understanding. Having toured twice in Europe with the Soul of Mbira tour, this is his first visit to North America. A patient and articulate teacher, Cosmas especially enjoys teaching beginners.
Paul Mataruse is a second year representative of Zimbabwe at Pearson United World College of the Pacific in Victoria, BC. Paul has been playing marimba for 13 years and was taught by his father at the age of six. Paul has taught in schools in and around the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe as well as in several primary schools in Harare from 1992 to 1995.
Maria Minnaar grew up in Zimbabwe where her love of its music and culture was nurtured by her father, an ethnomusicologist. Playing marimbas since age 14, Maria currently teaches two community bands in Groveton, TX. She has produced a marimba-music CD with her previous youth band from Brenham, TX, and after her father's death in 1993, she began manufacturing marimba instruments in order to continue his work.
Neck of the Woods: Together since 1993, we are a nine member band from Nelson, BC. Our repertoire includes marimba, mbira, singing and dance. As a community band without an appointed leader or teacher, we continue to evolve our interpersonal and group skills, and our music by inviting teachers to Nelson. In 1996-97 a grant enabled us to invite Sydney Maratu to stay with us for six months. We are grateful to all of our teachers; Dean Samuels, Fiona Connon, Chris Berry, Michael Breez, Nancy (from Seattle), Kelly Takunda Orphan, Robert TwoHawks, and all of the ZimFest workshop teachers much too numerous to mention!
Sarah Noll traveled to Zimbabwe in 1991 and was fortunate to study dance, mbira and hosho with Irene Chigamba, Abel Mukuchura, Mondreck Muchena and Clayton Ndlovu. She currently performs original music and movement with Xephyr in San Francisco. She has been a music teacher for over ten years.
Kelly Takunda Orphan has been studying, sharing and performing Zimbabwean music since 1995. Her latest passion is integrating Zimbabwean music with other types of western and non-western music. She teaches elementary school music and movement in the Bay Area, and has also been the co-director of San Jose State University's World Music Choir since 1995
Rick Palmer is a founding member of Marimba Muzuva and has been performing Zimbabwean music for five years. His interest in African music has taken him to Ghana, West Africa and to Zimbabwe. His greatest passions are playing music, dancing, teaching, and building marimbas.
Sheree Seretse loves African music and hopes to share the joy she finds in it with the world. She studied with Dumisani Maraire in 1970, began performing with him in '71 and teaching with him in '73. 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.
Peter Swing is a student of Dumi Maraire. He is the former music director of Boka Marimba and has just completed a CD with Jaka. Currently, he teaches marimba ensemble to kids and adults in Santa Fe, NM.
Ted Wright's formative years were spent playing a garbage can drum set along to old Beatles albums. He has been playing Zimbabwean music for five years as a member of Marimba Muzuva, and is a teacher of mbira, marimba, and gumboot dancing. Although still fond of Ringo, John is now his favorite Beatle.
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