Empowering Students Through Music in Kenya
S’Cool Sounds (SCS) Artistic Director Nina Stern and SCS Board Member Nancy Jo Snider are gearing up to travel to Kenya this June to support S’Cool Sounds/Crossing Thresholds (SCS/CT) music programs and partnerships.As always, students are making music together, learning music literacy in school classrooms, and preparing for summer performances and music festival competitions.
During the recent school break in April, especially motivated music students joined in the Futures Music Program, which featured a workshop with returning instructor Dorothy Muchere, a musical arts facilitator, educator, percussionist, and expert in indigenous African music, specializing in Kenyan musical traditions.
Dorothy’s workshops connect modern instrument instruction, such as keyboards, saxophones, guitars, and recorders, with indigenous African instruments including the djembe and kiringongo. Students explore new sounds, strengthen performance skills, and have the unique opportunity to learn under Dorothy’s expert guidance. She hopes students gain creative confidence and a stronger sense of purpose through the arts.
HELP US HIT OUR $5000 GOAL
Your generosity helps us put instruments into the hands of students in Kenya, including: drum sets, electric keyboards, guitars, bass guitars, recorders, saxophones, djembes, and kayambas. Contribute today!
COMMUNITY MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
Dorothy Muchere believes music can help young people better understand themselves and the world around them. She holds a Master of Music in African Music Studies and is the first scholar in Kenya to be awarded the degree.
Her interest in indigenous African music began during childhood visits to her grandparents in Kakamega, where she witnessed the vibrant impact of music, dance, and storytelling in the community. Today, Dorothy continues to explore how music education positively shapes individual and communal growth through the arts:
