Nairobi – Celebrated Kenyan musician and cultural curator Winyo will spearhead a new Music Composition Residency launched by the Institute of Cultural Music. The program is designed to support both emerging and established artists in honing their craft, with a focus on originality, artistic voice, and the integration of traditional Kenyan sounds into modern music.
The four-day residency will feature workshops, collaborative sessions, and mentorship, covering areas such as composition structure, voice identity and texture, and the creative use of indigenous instruments. Organizers say the initiative is aimed at helping participants develop unique compositions that both reflect Kenya’s cultural heritage and appeal to global audiences.
“This residency is about more than just technical training,” a statement from the organizers read. “It’s about shaping new sounds that carry the essence of Kenyan culture into the future of music.”
The program is limited to 10 slots, open to professional musicians, rising talents, and other creatives eager to strengthen their composition skills. Successful applicants will be required to pay a residency fee of KSh 20,000 (about $155) to cover participation costs.
Winyo, known for his ability to blend contemporary styles with traditional Kenyan rhythms, expressed enthusiasm about the project, describing it as a space for authentic creativity and collaboration.