Been wanting to travel to Zimbabwe? We’ve got you covered! We are currently in the midst of our 2023 Tour with our friends at Dreams and Tsoro Arts in Zimbabwe June 21-July 20, 2023.
Here’s what 2022 Tour participants are saying:
“I really liked that I didn’t feel like a tourist; I felt fully immersed.”
“There was deep transformation and processing of emotions that came out of the experience for me, and that felt hugely meaningful.“
“I really liked having a constant group of Zimbabweans around us so we could get to know them and the culture more deeply.”
“This Tour blew me wide open in a wonderful way. Not only do I have a new understanding of how privileged I am, but I feel like I’m walking in the world differently with this new knowledge.”
“I loved the reactions to our performances!”
“I can’t thank you enough for what an incredibly rich experience this was. It was truly the trip of a lifetime.”
“The Tour leaders were absolutely incredible!”
“This was a magical, life-changing experience that will stick with me forever.”
“I’d recommend this trip to anyone interested in Zimbabwean culture, music, and meeting local people. It was wonderful to have Zimbabwean friends guide us and welcome us into their homes, rural villages, and world. What a treat for us to sit back knowing all was handled! Amy was always there to answer questions and at no stage did I feel uncomfortable…all signs of good leadership!” – Pam C., Canberra, Australia
“The 2018 Zimbabwe Tour was inspirational and life-changing! We were pretty nervous about traveling to Africa but Amy melted away all our concerns, provided excellent logistics while still allowing for lots of spontaneous events, and provided opportunities for participating in Zimbabwean culture and music. This was the best tour I could ever imagine!” – Jim L, Homer, AK
Trip Leader: Amy Stewart McIntosh
Amy visited Zimbabwe in 2001-2002 for six weeks and in 2017 co-led 2 back-to-back Culture & Music Immersion Tours with Dana Moffett of Rubatano Center in Washington. She also led the 2018 Tour, staying on for the summer afterward. After a personal visit in March 2022, she shepherded the 2022 Tour members through another meaningful, connected experience with friends, artists, performers, and teachers in Zimbabwe. She then guided 2023 Tour participants. She can’t wait to go back!
Amy is Kutandara’s Executive Director and Co-Founder. Amy began studying African music in 1994 with master instructors both from Zimbabwe and the United States. Amy is adept at many African instruments, but especially loves marimba and hosho, and plays both with style and grace. Amy’s focus is building community, and the richness that comes from deepening our relationships with one another. Amy reminds us that music is not only about notes and rhythms, but about relationships among people working together toward a common goal.
Amy’s specialty in teaching at Kutandara is group marimba classes for children, teens, and adults at introductory – intermediate levels. She also teaches private lessons in mbira, hosho, and singing, and incorporates these themes, along with Shona culture and language, into her group marimba classes. In addition to her teaching at Kutandara, Amy has also taught at the Zimbabwean Music Festival (US), Camp Tumbuka (US), Nhemamusasa North (Canada), Zimba Marimba Camp (Sweden), and Watershed College (Zimbabwe).
Participants
We can accommodate up to 15 participants, in addition to tour staff. We are looking for outgoing, curious, kind, easy-going people with whom to experience a hands-on culture and music immersion in Zimbabwe. Participants will meet weekly with trip leaders April-June 2023 for culture and language orientation, to learn and rehearse music for sharing/performance, and to build a spirit of teamwork for our shared experience.
“This experience was super in-depth and something that would be hard to create on one’s own. It was definitely worthwhile! The opportunity to give back in a meaningful way and connect with music, culture, new friends, and nature was amazing.” – Kristin S., Boulder, CO
