Workshop Teachers and Presenters

 

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. These include Forward Kwenda, Mondrek Muchena, Ephat Mujuru, Newton Gwara, Irene Chigamba, Tute Chigamba, Chris Mhlanga, Luken Pasipamire, Fradreck Mujuru, Fungai Mujuru, Sam Mujuru, Cosmas Magaya, 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 United States and internationally-attended mbira camps at her home in Berkeley, California, and other locations. 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 135 Zimbabwean mbira players and 11 instrument makers.

Jaiaen Beck was introduced to Zimbabwean music through attending a Shona spirituality lecture by the late Dumisani Maraire. Since 1990 she has worked with several Zimbabwean and North American teachers studying Shona music and healing traditions. In 1993 she established Ancient Ways as a charitable non-profit organization to preserve traditional ways of indigenous people and has taught music to all ages since that time. She has provided a link for people to network and offer humanitarian aid to rural Zimbabwe through co-founding Nhimbe for Progress in 1999 and Jangano in 2005, two separately managed rural community development projects which are directed incountry by Zimbabweans in partnership with Ancient Ways.

Nathan Beck has studied Shona music since the early 1990s, including extensive study in Zimbabwe with Cosmas Magaya, Garikayi Tirikoti, and the Chigamba family. Nathan has been a member of Boka Marimba since 1992 and also plays with Njuzu. He has taught at Zimfest, Camp Tumbuka, as well as many Portland-area schools. Currently he teaches marimba and mbira at Lewis & Clark College.

Michael Breez, teacher, performer, director, and composer, has dedicated 30 years to the study of Shona music from Zimbabwe. With the guidance and support of his mentor, the late Dumisani Maraire, Michael has toured several areas of the United States. Together they performed in Mozambique and Zimbabwe in the early 1980s. In 1991 Michael and his wife Osha founded the Rufaro School of Marimba, and later the professional performing/recording group Musasa Marimba Ensemble. Michael currently teaches marimba to people of all ages throughout the western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. He offers marimba classes, workshops, and retreats for the general public, private and public schools, and youth correctional/rehabilitation programs. Michael also instructs and coaches many professional marimba ensembles in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Patience Chaitezvi grew up immersed in mbira music. Her mother is a traditional healer and spirit medium and several brothers play mbira. A quick learner, Patience began learning mbira from her older brothers in the sixth grade and by the next year was playing with them in ceremonies. She also sings, dances, and plays hosho and ngoma. One of only a few Zimbabwean mbira players to both have a university degree and play very traditional mbira in ceremonies, Patience works as a high school teacher.

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 master 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, drummer, and he plays both mbira dzavadzimu and nyunga nyunga. Following up on “Tsunga,” his widely acclaimed CD with Jennifer Kyker, Musekiwa released his CD “VaChingodza Budai Pachena.” His newest CD, “Kutema Musasa,” was released in 2005.

Lora Lue Chiorah-Dye has taught for the Washington State Arts Commission for over 20 years, sharing her knowledge of music, song, dance, storytelling, and children’s games. She was born and grew up in Zimbabwe and now lives in the Seattle area, where she worked as a recreation specialist at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center from 1977 to 2002. Lora has performed with Dumi and Minanzi Marimba Ensemble (1970-73), Gwinyai Mbira and Dance Ensemble (1973-79), and since 1980 with Sukutai Marimba and Dance Ensemble.

Jan Christensen has taught marimba since 1998 in Ashland, Oregon, both in public schools and privately. She first fell in love with marimbas when she was the music teacher at Walker School and received a grant to build two marimbas with a fifth-grade class. Playing marimbas became an obsession for her and for the children of Walker School and she has performed around Ashland with many children over the years. Jan is grateful to all her marimba teachers, both Zimbabwean and American. She has traveled to Zimbabwe twice to study Shona music. She is currently the director of Rutendo! Marimba Band, which performs at Southern Oregon festivals. She also teaches in Ashland at her studio, Mwedzi Wagara Marimbas. Jan has a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon and has taught in local public schools since 1982. She currently teaches World Music at Ashland Middle School, where she directs the Sadza! Marimba Band program.

Fiona “Ona” Connon began playing marimba in 1992 and has been immersed in learning, performing, and teaching Shona music ever since. She recently spent five months in Zimbabwe studying with the Chigambas and the Mujurus, two of Zimbabwe’s pre-eminent mbira families. Her passions are hosho and marimba composition. A founding member of Victoria’s Marimba Muzuva, Ona has performed with many of Zimbabwe’s top traditional musicians.

Ronnie Daliyo was principal dancer and musician with Mhembero Dance Company for 10 years. He is a powerful and inspiring dancer, marimba player, drummer, and teacher. While in the United States in 2005 he awed audiences throughout California, New Mexico, New York, and the Pacific Northwest. As a workshop instructor in Oakland and at the Zimbabwean Music Festival in Olympia, the Mosaic Men’s Retreat in Mendocino, and many other schools and studios on the tour, Ronnie has guided and encouraged hundreds of adults and young people. He is Julia Chigamba’s cousin and is a guest performer and teacher with the Chinyakare Ensemble of Oakland. He is available to travel and teach workshops throughout North America in dance, drumming, marimba, and vocals.

Maggie Donahue has been involved with the Zimbabwean music community in Eugene, Oregon, for many years. In the 1980s she played in Shumba, Eugene's first marimba band. She founded Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center in Eugene in 1990. She is now the local director for Tariro, a non-profit which provides an array of educational support for teenage girls orphaned by AIDS in Zimbabwe. Last year Maggie traveled to Zimbabwe and had the opportunity to meet and interview 15 of Tariro’s girls.

Ellen Falconer is a licensed massage practitioner in Port Townsend, Washington, and is a seasoned marimba player in Yesango Marimba. She has also been a sail maker and baker over the years and has personal experience in caring for the overworked upper body! She says, “As a marimba player, I am all too aware of the vulnerable spots on a player’s body. My goal is to reinforce correct marimba-playing techniques and share some therapeutic tools for a player’s self-care and pain release.” One of her bodywork specialties is positional relief, an excellent modality for repetitive stress aches and pains. This is easily taught to others for self-care and as a form of bodywork. It is done with the client/student wearing loose, comfortable clothing.

Loebbe Tigere Gahamadze (Samaita) managed Mbira Dzenharira before taking over management duties for Mawungira Enharira. Samaita is as well-versed in traditional Shona culture and spirituality as the other players in the band. He does an amazing job of educating people about the history of the mbira, Shona customs and spirituality, as well as the arts and entertainment business in Zimbabwe today. Under his management, Mawungira Enharira has emerged as the top mbira group in Zimbabwe, winning numerous awards that previously went to Mbira Dzenharira.

Kite Giedraitis has been playing Shona music since 1987 and began teaching in Portland, Oregon, in 1989. He was an original member of Boka Marimba, playing with them for three years before traveling in Zimbabwe for a year and Ghana for three months. He founded Village Spirit in Portland in 1992. Many bands have evolved out of his marimba classes: Zuva, Dancing Trees, Kukuva, Flying Safari Ants, Chiremba, White Rhino, Zimba, Born on Tuesday, Duduluza, Bongozozo, Eurimba, Wood Vibrations, Laughing Moon, Dancing Out Loud, and Kamerimba. Kite currently plays with Fools In Paradise, which he founded in 2001.

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.

Trymore Jombo started his music career spinning records, then known as “Lt. Zorro” by friends from his childhood neighborhood of Chitungwiza. Unfulfilled by this path, he began studying marimba and mbira on his own and later trained to be a sound engineer, which led him to John Mambira. Both were employed by Dumi Ngulube’s band at the time and it didn’t take long for them to see the potential they had together. Also known as “Guchi,” meaning “sweeter than sugar,” Trymore provides those delicious mbira lines as well as backing vocals for Bongo Love.

Claire Jones has been involved with Zimbabwean music since 1976 when she first fell in love with the marimbas and started studying with the late Dumisani Maraire. She performed for several years with Dumi and the Maraire Marimba Ensemble both in the United States and in Zimbabwe. She was a founding member of the Seattle marimba groups Kutamba and Musango as well as the Mahonyera Mbira Ensemble. While living in Zimbabwe from 1985 to 1990, she played mbira with Mhuri Yekwa Muchena and authored the book Making Music: Musical Instruments in Zimbabwe Past and Present. Claire completed her doctoral degree in 2006, writing her dissertation on - what else - the modern Zimbabwean marimba. She is currently living in Seattle, teaching and playing mbira and marimba.

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 1960s 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 Maraire in 1990 and they started Dandaro Marimba Band in Santa Cruz, California. Joe has been playing marimba and hosho ever since. He began studying karimba (nyunga nyunga) with Dumi in 1990 and has also learned from Musekiwa Chingodza. Joe has been teaching karimba for the last few years. In 2000 he started Sadza, a Santa Cruz county band that plays Zimbabwean music on karimba, mbira, marimbas, and drums. He has created several arrangements for Sadza that feature mbira and karimba with marimbas.

MyLinda King played with Boka Marimba between 1989 and 1999. Since 1994 she has been teaching marimba groups in schools, at music camps, and at her home in Portland, Oregon. She also gives workshops to local marimba bands. MyLinda enjoys making hosho for the Zimbabwean music community and has written a book, Making Your Own Hosho.

Zoe Kline began playing marimba in 1998 when she took her first class from Amy Stewart. Since then she has participated in numerous classes and workshops all over the country. She also performs with Shamwari and has done so since its formation in 1999. Zoe loves Zimbabwean music and especially enjoys playing and teaching marimba. When not in school or playing marimba, Zoe spends her time hiking and riding her road bike.

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 has been guided and inspired by many musicians beginning with Ephat Mujuru, Mondrek Muchena, and Tute and Irene Chigamba. In the United States, 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.

Wilfred Tichaona Mafrika (Nyamasvisva) is the backbone of Mawungira Enharira. Having cut his teeth with Mbira Dzenharira, Nyamasvisva broke off to start Mawungira Enhararira with several other former members of Mbira Dzenharira. As in the previous group, Nyamasvisva is the lead singer, composer, and arranger of Mawungira Enharira’s repertoire. He plays the Nhovapasi (bass) mbira in a way that has transformed how younger mbira enthusiasts in Zimbabwe learn the instrument. Blessed with a wide vocal range, Nyamasvisva often sings in a high falsetto voice that effortlessly contrasts his bass notes on the mbira. He is also a keen student of traditional Shona culture, which despite his relatively young age has made him a highly sought-after cultural expert within Zimbabwe. Nyamasvisva is also renowned for his storytelling.

Jacob Mafuleni (Soko) is a multi-talented gwenyambira who is equally as adept at the ngoma as he is at the mbira. In Mawungira Enharira, Dongonda (sub-rhythm) mbira fleshes out Nyamasvisva’s bass and Mudyanevana’s lead mbiras, giving voice to the rich harmonies and intricate interlocking parts that emerge from multiple players. Soko is a highly sought-after musician in Zimbabwe, performing with renowned musician Chiwoniso Maraire & Vibe Culture as well as emerging mbira group Nhare DzeChirorodziva, when he’s not playing with Mawungira Enharira.

John Mambira can be credited as the brains of the group Bongo Love and has been involved in many forms of art including acting, dancing, singing, and playing music. Before starting Bongo Love he worked with various groups, both amateur and professional, and has taught workshops at many festivals. A phenomenal drummer, marimba player, and singer with a wide vocal range, he heads up most of the arrangements and writes the lyrics to the group’s songs.

Mpho Mambira grew up playing his father’s drums with his brother John and also experimented with dancing as a youngster, which he still does during the occasional performance. When John brought home a marimba one day, Mpho, also known as “Shoes,” excitedly started experimenting on the baritone and never put down the mallets. Like John, he has involved himself with many community music projects over the years and has made it his job to keep the band, Bongo Love, focused and on task. He is the backbone on the baritone, playing with ease and confidence.

Paul Mataruse learned to play marimba with his twin brother and a few neighborhood friends from the age of six. His musical style is as much derived from his father as it is from jam sessions in a small room with two soprano instruments, two tenors, and a baritone. Paul often describes these sessions as the best musical education he ever got, and to this day he encourages his friends and students to jam on the marimbas. In the more than 20 years since he started playing marimba, Paul has taught in schools in and around Harare and Mashonaland West in Zimbabwe, as well as in North America. He currently lives in the Seattle area, where he is musical director of Whidbey Island-based Ruzivo Marimba.

Sheasby Matiure is currently on study leave from his position as a lecturer in music education at the University of Zimbabwe. As a graduate of Kwanongoma College of Music, 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. He is currently at IU finishing a PhD in ethnomusicology. Sheasby is a highly respected musician, adept at teaching choral singing, marimba, mbira, and hosho. He has conducted workshops on the above in Sweden, Norway, Australia, and the United States. He is currently teaching and directing mbira and marimba ensembles at Indiana University.

Themba Mawoko started playing the marimba before he could read or write. Taught at home by his uncle, he picked up the instrument effortlessly and his talent was quick to be noticed when he started the first grade and joined the school band. In no time he was playing professionally with the St. Columbus School marimba band, showing his talents at the Zimbabwean National Trade Fair every year. When he ran into the beginnings of Bongo Love and expressed interest in joining, they only gave him one chance to prove himself, which was more than enough, and he has since become the soul of the group.

Randy McIntosh is Kutandara Center’s music director. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in music, and from the University of Colorado in 1996 with a master’s degree in music composition. His love of Zimbabwean music inspired him to write and arrange his own Shona-style compositions. Randy has taught at the University of Colorado, Metropolitan State University, New Vista High School, and the Colorado School of the Arts. He has performed with Jambo Drummers, Ukama, and Chimanimani. He and his partner, Amy Stewart, founded Kutandara Center in 1999. Randy currently directs and performs with Kutandara, Mhuri, and Project Rugare and co-directs Shamwari, Tamba!, and Vana Vedu.

Eric Reggie Miller entered the Zimbabwean music fold in 1996. He joined Boka Marimba in 1997 where he met Nathan Beck and Marian Grebanier, who became his mbira teachers. Eric began teaching marimba in 2003 and currently leads a youth band, the Supadupa Marimba Bros, a high school project. He performed with Julia Chigamba for two years in Njuzu Mbira and Boka Marimba for five years. He currently plays mbira and trumpet for Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited and leads the group Pachi Pamwe. Eric went to Zimbabwe in 2005 to soak up the culture for three months. His biggest inspirations are Newton Gwara, Chartwell Dutiro, Beauler Dyoko, and Forward Kwenda.

Jenny Muchumi is a fiery musician and dancer from rural Zimbabwe. As she whistles, ululates, and sings with her mbira, she calls out and galvanizes the crowd at a ceremony into frenzied participation. She brings the same enthusiasm to her dancing, hosho, and ngoma playing. Jenny grew up with her grandmother, who was a spirit medium and traditional healer, and she learned mbira from the musicians who played for her grandmother’s spirit. Because Jenny’s family could not afford to send her to school beyond the fifth grade, she put her full attention and love into learning mbira and, at the age of 14, was able to play for her grandmother’s healing sessions. Jenny is currently a musician much in demand at many kinds of ceremonies in Zimbabwe.

Edmond Micah Munhemo (Mudyanevana) is the old man with a deep sense of history and a presence that bespeaks of a shaman. In Mawungira Enharira’s repertoire, his Nheketo (high lead) mbira lines are sparsely laid out and yet have the effect of filling the whole sound. His graceful presence and backing vocals make Mawungira Enharira’s live performances unmistakably special, as if one is in the middle of a healing ceremony at the same time that one is dancing to their music. Countless times audiences have been brought to tears as soon as Mudyanevana’s Nheketo mbira comes in, as if their souls have been touched by the mbira and spoken to in a way that can only be understood in the spirit world. When he plays the mbira, Mudyanevana’s facial expressions are those of a man playing with, and for, the spirits.

Tendai Muparutsa was born in Mutare, Zimbabwe. He attended the Zimbabwe College of Music, where he was taught by Dumi Maraire, Sheasby Matiure, Claire Jones, Mitchel Strampf, and several others. Tendai describes himself as more of an ethnomusicologist than just a music educator. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Zimbabwe and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Music Education at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Tendai has also played with several popular bands in Zimbabwe. He has trained Marymount Teachers College Dance Troupe and their marimba band and has worked with Rooftop Promotions dance group for Harare International Festival Arts (HIFA) performances. Tendai also led the Zimbabwe College of Music Marimba Ensemble during his entire study period there. He taught workshops in schools around Harare and Mutare and was involved in an exchange program between Zimbabwe’s ZAME and Friedrikstad of Norway, where he taught marimba to the Norwegians. Before Tendai left Zimbabwe he was a Teaching Assistant at Midlands State University, where he led their marimba and dance sections. He is currently a TA at the University of Idaho’s Lionel Hampton School of Music, where he teaches Zimbabwean marimba. One of Tendai’s three groups, Chiroto Marimba Ensemble, will be performing at Zimfest this year.

Tonderai Ndava (Mwendamberi), affectionately nicknamed Tonde II by some American students in Zimbabwe, is the youngest member of Mawungira Enharira. At 25 years old, this gwenyambira is routinely summoned to play at traditional spiritual ceremonies in his village, an honor few mbira players experience in their lifetime. Mwendamberi plays the Hweva (rhythm) mbira and often fills in on the Nheketo (high lead) in some of Mawungira Enharira’s performances. His mbira style is highly improvisational and yet deeply spiritual at the same time. Eyes closed for most of the performance, pacing back and forth as if playing a little game with the audience, Mwendamberi’s on-stage transformation is entertaining to watch as he gets into a groove and starts to wildly shake his dreadlocks in sync with what he is playing.

Peacheson Ngoshi (Mhofu)’s hosho playing is the crucial backbone to everything that happens in a Mawungira Enharira performance. Without it, Nyamasvisva’s bass Nhovapasi lines would be flailing about in search of a grounding downbeat, Mudyanevana’s high Nheketo lines would have no frame of reference to give them that sparse feel, and the two rhythm mbiras would be lost in the shuffle, not to mention the improvisational hosho and body percussion of Soko that definitely requires the presence of a strong pulse! Often understated in his playing, Mhofu can whip a Mawungira Enharira arrangement into a frenzy with the stroke of one hand so subtly that it almost seems as if he is whispering into everyone’s ear that they need to speed up. In addition to hosho, Mhofu is also an amazing mbira player in his own right.

Tonderai Phiri (Soko), nicknamed Tonde I by some American students in Zimbabwe, is an amazing dancer, hosho player, mbira player, and drummer. This gives Soko the unique role of dancer, body percussionist, hosho player, and court jester for Mawungira Enharira. The group’s performances would not be the same without this energetic musician to stir the audience into a frenzy. His hosho improvisation sends shivers down one’s spine, with strong pulses and fluid swooshes that other experienced hosho players still envy. During Mawungira Enharira performances Soko is often seen interacting and engaging with the audiences, doing blessings with his hosho or dancing stick, as well as joining audience members in an impromptu dance sequence that almost always leaves one wanting more.

Ruzivo includes Paul Mataruse, Rose Orskog, Dana Moffett, Hannah Wahl, Annabet Berlin, Sam Orskog, Lonnie Welsh, and Toby Bloom. Various members of this group will team teach several marimba workshops during Zimfest using the approach that they have used at Camp Ruzivo on Whidbey Island. Ruzivo explores traditional and contemporary arrangements of Zimbawean music and infuses them with Paul’s musical sensibilities borne out of all-night jam sessions in Harare, Zimbabwe. What emerges is a spirit that honors the individual talents of his fellow band members while staying true to the welcoming nature of Zimbabwean music.

Sheree Seretse began studying with Dumisani Maraire in 1970, then began performing with him a year later and teaching with him in 1973. She has taught at 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 and directs Anzanga, which she founded in 1986, and Shumba Youth Marimba Ensemble, founded in 2003. Sheree teaches classes on marimba, mbira, ngoma, dance, and African children’s games. She also lectures on Shona music at three independent schools, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, and around the country.

Bob Sisson began playing Zimbabwean marimba music in 1992 with Carl Heller after seeing his band Chibata at the Northwest Folklife Festival. In 1998 Bob was invited to join a group in Olympia, Washington, now called Mukana Marimba. He has learned from local teachers and many touring Zimbabweans as well as at Zimfest. Bob currently resides in Olympia and repairs brass and woodwinds for a living.

Micah Sisson began playing with Mukana Marimba of Olympia, Washington, around the age of 10. Over the last eight years he has developed into a key player and teacher in the group. He has attended numerous Zimfests and learned from touring Zimbabweans as well as local teachers. Micah currently resides in Olympia, where he works at a local bakery.

Amy Stewart is Kutandara Center’s program director. Amy began studying African music in 1994 with master instructors both from Zimbabwe and the United States. She is adept at many African instruments but especially loves marimba and hosho, playing both with style and grace. Amy began teaching private music lessons at the age of 16 after her own music instructor encouraged her to pursue her teaching gift. In 1998 she began teaching youth marimba classes and has since grown the local marimba community at Kutandara Center to nearly 200 students. Amy has an amazing ability to organize ideas, people, and things and spends much time at the Center doing so. She reminds students and instructors alike that music is not only about notes and rhythms but is also about relationships among people working together toward a common goal. Amy has performed with Ukama, Chimanimani, and the Low-Flying Knobs. She and her partner, Randy McIntosh, founded Kutandara Center in 1999. Amy currently performs with Kutandara, Mhuri, and Project Rugare and co-directs Shamwari, Tamba!, and Vana Vedu.

Karin Tauscher has had a life-long passion for music and studied voice, guitar, and piano before discovering marimba in the early 1990s. She began studying Zimbabwean music in 1995 and since then has enjoyed learning from numerous Zimbabwean musicians, including Sheasby Matiure, Musekiwa Chingodza, Garadziva Chigamba, Tendai Muparutsa, and Alport Mhlanga. Karin has been teaching marimba to youth and adults in Washington and Oregon since 1998. Since moving in 2003 from Sequim, Washington, to Hood River, Oregon, she has taught in Columbia Gorge area schools as well as in her home studio. Karin currently teaches classes for elementary-aged youth through adults and directs two student bands, Chigwaya Youth Marimba and Zvakanaka, which have evolved out of her classes. Karin has been a member of Boka Marimba since 2005.

Nick Truesdale first saw a marimba in 2001 and ever since then he has been an avid player and performer. His first and most influential teachers were Randy McIntosh and Amy Stewart, although he has also worked with many noted musicians from both the United States and Zimbabwe. He now performs in multiple bands, including Shamwari, Project Rugare, and Kutandara. Nick loves every aspect of Zimbabwean music, from the songs themselves to the community that is created when people come together to share the experience. He is as passionate about it as anyone else and has even been dubbed a “marimba junkie.”

Wanda Walker has taught marimba at Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center in Eugene, Oregon, since 1999 and privately since 2002. She performs with Jenaguru and Zambuko, both Kutsinhira ensembles. Wanda has studied with Zimbabwean musicians Cosmas Magaya, Musekiwa Chingodza, Ambuya Beauler Dyoko, Sheasby Matiure, Irene Chigamba, and Paul Mataruse. She has arranged several traditional mbira songs for marimba, and has developed a fondness for teaching young people.

Mandy Walker-LaFollette was introduced to Zimbabwean music as a toddler when her parents began taking classes at Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center in Eugene, Oregon. She soon dabbled with playing marimba and began seriously studying mbira in 1998 and marimba in 2000. Her teachers include Musekiwa Chingodza, Cosmas Magaya, Ambuya Beauler Dyoko, Sheasby Matiure, Gary Spalter, and Stephen Golovnin. Mandy performs with Hokoyo and Jenaguru Marimba. She has arranged and co-arranged several mbira songs for marimba, including Nyuchi, Mukatiende, Unozofa, and Dangurangu.

Loveness Wesa has established herself as one of the most prominent African female artists on the world stage. She is a musician, dancer, and choreographer and was the first woman artist in her native country of Zimbabwe to write, choreograph, and produce dance theatrical shows performed mostly by women. Loveness has toured in Africa and Europe as a cultural ambassador for Zimbabwean women artists, bringing to her audiences not only traditional African dancing and singing but also drumming, which used to be taboo for women in her culture. She also spreads a message of peace, freedom, and understanding through her works. Loveness was first exposed to the traditional music and dance of her country as a small child watching her mother, aunt, and grandmother, who were Sangomas (traditional spirit mediums who use song and dance to channel ancestral spirits). In 1998 Loveness founded the Kgotso African Dance Theatre as a vehicle for bringing works by women artists to Zimbabwe’s stage. She merges a variety of traditional dances from throughout the African continent to create a coherent story that is comprehensible to any audience.

Ted Wright began playing and studying Shona music with Marimba Muzuva in 1993 and has been teaching marimba, mbira, chipendani, and gumboot dancing for many years. He has studied and performed with many of Zimbabwe’s top traditional musicians, receiving particular inspiration from the Chigamba family and Mhembero, Cosmas Magaya, Musekiwa Chingodza, and Sydney Maratu. Ted has been a regular teacher at Zimfest since 1997, as well as teaching ongoing classes, workshop groups, and in schools. He has traveled to Zimbabwe three times to study Zimbabwean music and culture at length. Ted’s engineering and/or production work can be heard on numerous CDs for artists such as Garadziva Chigamba, Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa, Sydney Maratu, Simukai, Amani Marimba, Makeke Marimba, and Juba. He also offers his own field recordings from Zimbabwe on his Restless Rabbit label. Ted’s performing credits include world beat improv ensemble Spirit Gate, mbira quartet Choto, and Zimbabwean roots dance bands Zimfusion and Jambanja.