THE DIRECTOR AND THE CONSERVATOIRE COUNCIL

Violoncello, Drums, Contemporary Guitar
I have been teaching for four years. I am also a recording artiste of Gospel music with a group called Dserve. I enjoy listening to contemporary music especially afro-pop, jazz and neo-soul. I also enjoy composing music, reading and motor cycling.

CYNTHIA MUNGAI

Violin, Piano
I have loved music forever. My mum sung in our church choir and I was therefore brought up with a lot of musical influence from her and her friends. I particularly enjoy playing music from the Classical and Romantic periods but I listen to music from all periods. I teach students ranging from six years to university age and I enjoy making beautiful music in each lesson and learning from it.

GACIGI KUNG'U
Piano, Singing and Music Theory
I joined the Conservatoire in 1995. I currently teach piano, singing and theory of music and occasionally play 2nd violin in the Conservatoire Orchestra. Behind the tough exterior is an encouraging spirit eager to bring out the best in each student.

GEOFFERY MUKOTO
Piano, Singing and Music Theory
I have had a passion from music since childhood and I especially love choral music. I am very drawn to polyphonic music and I also like fusing Kenyan folk melodies with western harmony.


 

DONALD OTOYO

Jazz Studies and Woodwind

My passion for music was jump-started when I led a traditional Kikuyu folk song in the Kenya Music Festivals when I was 12. Since then, my musical journey has taken me through an array of genres and experiences.  I love performing, studying and teaching. But it is in teaching that I get to share all these vast experiences as I help create and mould musicians and performers alike. I currently teach Clarinet, Saxophone, Jazz Piano, Jazz Theory and Extemporisation. And as Andre Previn puts it “There are a million things in music I know nothing about. I just want to narrow down that figure.” So, welcome to The Conservatoire and we’ll work together towards narrowing that figure!

JACINTA MULAKU
Singing and Piano
I enjoy listening to all genres of music especially that of the classical period. I teach students ranging from 6 years to over 70 years and have developed a tremendous passion for my work. As Virgil Thompson (1869 – 1989) once said, “I’ve never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down”.

Guitar

I have taught guitar in several schools in Nairobi in addition to the Conservatoire. I have also played the piano in several hotels including the Fairmont Norfolk and the Tamarind restaurant and currently perform at The Fairview Hotel 3 nights a week. I am married with one daughter.

MARTA LIZAK
Violin

Music is like the universe, it opens up an infinite space where there are no limits whatsoever. I actively entered this world at the age of 6 when I started playing the violin. I believe in what a great Polish pianist, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, said “Success in music is 1 per cent of talent, 9 per cent of good luck and 90 per cent of hard work. “ That is what I am trying to pass on to my students. And seeing them making progress is a most satisfactory experience.

MANASSEH UZELE
Classical and Contemporary Guitar
I owe my prowess in music to my parents who demanded that I be the best that I could be. Teaching has exposed me to people of all ages and character and has therefore given me the virtue of patience and tolerance even in other spheres of life. I am inspired by music of the 70s and 80s when people put in so much dedication into their music as opposed to these days, when the effort to produce good music has dwindled.

MERCY WAMBUGU
Singing and Piano
I find teaching most satisfying because I get to see young talent develop!.

NANCY DAY
Head of Diploma Faculty, Singing and Piano
Music has always been an integral part of my life. I began in the percussion section of my primary school band and in the school choir. I had my very first piano lesson in Form 2 by which time I knew that music was stuck to me and I stuck to it. I also perform in addition to teaching. In 2003, I played the character “Auma” in the Musical “Luanda” staged by Sterling Quality Entertainment. I am still traumatised by the experience… I live with my lovely husband Roger and our ginger cat “Stoney”.

WANGU L. MUTUKU
Piano and Programmes Coordinator
I enjoy pop and art music of all styles but I especially love playing “mushy” music from the Romantic Period especially Brahms, Chopin and Mendelssohn. I also play violin with the Conservatoire Orchestra and sing in our choir. Teaching is the other great passion of my life. I especially LOVE teaching children. It can be really hard work but it is very beautiful and rewarding and they are thoroughly entertaining!!! I am also the one who keeps bombarding you with invitations to our concerts and master-classes…



DAN MWAI
Piano and Violin
I believe music is therapeutic for all. From experience with students, I can confidently say learning music as a profession or on the side of other careers only gives you a greater sense of fulfillment in life!

HANNAH MBECHE

Piano, Singing

I have been teaching piano and music theory in practice for the past 5 years and I am still at it! Singing is also second nature to me and I love singing “zilizopendwa”. I occasionally play the violin and I also enjoy dancing. Music is fun!

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF			SUPPORT STAFF
ROSEMARY KILONZI Secretary	JOHN KAHIHU Accountant	EVERLYN KIRIMA Receptionist at GoDown Branch	SETH BUSOLO	MARGARET BONARERI	JONH KINUTHIA