WORKSHOPS and LESSONS

Mbira Lessons, Intensive Workshops and Mbira Camps

MBIRA Intensive Workshops, MBIRA Camps, and private mbira lessons are taught by Erica Azim, who has played mbira for over 35 years, sometimes together with visiting Zimbabwean musicians such as Forward Kwenda, Fradreck and Fungai Mujuru, Cosmas Magaya, Tute Chigamba, Irene Chigamba, Musekiwa Chingodza, and Ambuya Beauler Dyoko. We are working on bringing new first-time-to-the US co-teachers for the 2008 and 2009 summer sessions.

Mbira Camps

Mbira Camp is an 8-day residential intensive mbira workshop held in Berkeley, California, which offers an experience of total immersion in Shona mbira music. Mbira-related activities including mbira lessons, mbira singing, mbira ear training and more are scheduled morning, afternoon and evening. One day lessons take place at a secluded Pacific Ocean beach, another day in a redwood forest. Past campers have come from all over North America, Australia, South America, Africa, Asia and Europe.

MBIRA sometimes holds a winter mbira camp in warm places. Winter mbira camps have been held in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The January 2008 Mbira Camp will be held in Kailua, Hawaii. MBIRA now also offers an mbira camp in Argentina.

Mbira Camp details and enrollment form.

Intensive Mbira Workshops

Mbira Intensive Weekend Workshops are regional mini versions of Mbira Camp, described above, usually meeting 2 times per year. Sleeping bag space is usually provided for out-of-towners, and vegetarian meals are included at most workshops. The following regions have ongoing workshops:

• Midwest (Chicago; Carbondale, IL; may rotate to other midwest locations)
• Seattle, WA
• East Coast (NY/NJ)
• Northeast (Boston, MA; Kittery Point, ME; or Holyoke, MA)
• Berkeley, California
• Portland, OR
• Bellingham & San Juan Islands, WA (Friday Harbor in March 2008)
• Texas (first meeting February 2008)
• Northern California (Arcata, first meeting to be scheduled soon)

New workshop groups will be forming in other areas - email workshop@mbira.org if you wish to join). If you are interested in joining or forming a workshop group in your area, please indicate that on your mailing list sign-up. If you need an mbira (instrument) to take an MBIRA workshop, you can purchase one through MBIRA. Getting an mbira.

Mbira Lessons

Private 1-hour mbira lessons are available from Erica Azim and visiting Zimbabwean mbira players. Lessons are available in Berkeley, California, and periodically at other locations around North America. Indicate your interest on your mailing list sign-up.