Why KICF?
At KICF we believe we Round the Circle. We use the universality of music as our means To offer mentorship, creative problem solving, inner confidence, career planning, and sustainable habit building. These tools allow our students to go beyond what they see and to create the lives tHat they want. Kenya is such a diverse country - with an abundant love music. Whether strolling through the Samburu bush or meeting in a Nairobi slum, we've found unmatched enthusiasm for music. As such, we have found it is the ideal ice breaker. We've made lasting friendships in record time. And we’ve seen remarkable growth, both at the instrument and away from it. Music truly is the universal language. Our approach to teaching is creative and innovative. We use an intuitive curriculum which mimics students’ native language. Whether Swahili or English, we have found remarkable success in our efforts to nurture the skills and hearts of our students.
KICF begiNnings
KICF began with connection. To students in the Korogocho slum of Nairobi through the Art of Music Foundation. To the idea of impacting their daily lives with mentorship, love, and opportunity. It quickly blossomed into weekly and bi-weekly zoom sessions that ranged from pedagogy and repertoire to the very real challenges of daily life and trauma. Since those beginning days in 2020 and 2021, KICF has evolved into an annual culmination of this daily work. A place of gathering. A place of intensive collaboration. Of cultural celebration. Of listening. And of community connection. Seasons 1 and 2 took us to six cities in Kenya, presenting music to audiences ranging from school students to National Theatre ticket holders. It allowed us to explore the natural beauty of Lake Naivasha and to consistently learn about one another. KICF has now expanded to the world of chamber music! Season 3 brought together more than 45 musicians for an exploration of the art of listening, understanding and responding to repertoire through our bodies, ears, and hearts. After ten days of work together at the idyllic Tafaria Center for the Arts, we concluded our festival with a morning in a Mukuru at the Reubens Center, a masterclass at the Conservatoire and a beautiful final performance at Alliançe Française. It was packed! In fact more than 100 guests had to be turned away at the door. A good problem to have! Most recently, in June 2024, we offered a 10 day Luthier Repair Workshop course to a group of KICF participants. They each received a tool kit upon completion. They hit the ground running; several have already gone into business repairing instruments in their own communities.
