Growing Impact in Kenya
S’Cool Sounds (SCS) programming continues to grow across Kenya thanks to dedicated educators, strong local partnerships, and young musicians eager to learn. SCS Artistic Director Nina Stern and Board Member and cellist Nancy Jo Snider’s recent visit nurtured these relationships while exploring new ways to serve schools, teachers, and students in Samburu and Nairobi.
The visit began in Maralal, many hours north of Nairobi, where St. Paul’s Primary School, St. Mary’s Primary School, Maralal DEB Primary School, Good Shepherd High School, and St. Irene’s High School welcomed the team and students received donated recorders.
Students eagerly picked up their instruments while teachers and administrators engaged in conversations with the team about building and expanding music programs.
In Nairobi, Kenyan Teaching Artists Jacob Saya and Julius Odhiambo continue their work at four Crossing Thresholds schools in Kibera. In addition to ongoing, highly successful afterschool music programs, they now teach music classes to all students, in accordance with Kenya’s new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which places greater emphasis on music learning and assessment. The rollout of the CBC has created a demand for music resources, professional development, and learning strategies throughout Kenya.
At the Center of Hope School and FAFU (Facing the Future School), the team worked with students to prepare for the upcoming Kenya National Music Festival. Nancy, together with Kenyan cellist Sharon Jurence, coached Center of Hope’s string students, helping refine ensemble playing and performance confidence.
Since receiving their instruments in fall 2025, the string ensemble has progressed to the national level of the festival—a testament to their dedication and the impact of consistent access to instruments, instruction, and meaningful programming to develop as musicians. Our thanks to KICF Artistic Directors Robert Howard and Rebecca Merblum for this inspiring partnership!
Nina and Nancy, together with SCS Advisory Board Member Wandiri Karimi, led hands-on workshops with classroom teachers, teaching artists, and members of the African Women's Orchestra (AWO), offering new perspectives on classroom music teaching, ensemble leadership, and musicianship. Together, they introduced SCS’s free online Learning Resources site, highlighting its value as a free resource for continued music learning.
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VIDEO HIGHLIGHT
Watch a short clip of “Chan Chan” from Queens Music Teacher Day featuring a one-of-a-kind ensemble of SCS Teaching ArtistsBerta Moreno (tenor saxophone), Linda EPO (vocals and claves), Kenneth Jiménez (guitar), Daniel Prim (percussion), and Isaac Levien (bass guitar). This special performance reflects the SCS mission of bringing people together through joyful music-making, cultural appreciation, and shared experiences.