Tsungai Tsikirai: The Vocal Music of Zimbabwe

About the leader

Tsungai Tsikirai is a multi-genre Zimbabwe-born and United Kingdom based musician. She embraces her African culture and heritage through sharing music and dance performances worldwide. Tsikirai also runs music and dance therapy workshops aimed at promoting natural ways to combat mental and physical health issues. She continues to perform and collaborate with festivals, cooperate and family events.

With a strong performance background and an emphasis on embodied music-making, she’s known for creating a supportive space where people feel encouraged to be expressive and present.

Music influences: Miriam Makeba, Chiwoniso Maraire, Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Angelique Kidjo, Andy Brown and Oliver Mutukudzi.

https://www.tsungaitsikirai.com

What we’ll do on the day
We’ll work with call-and-response, groove and physical coordination to strengthen timing, ensemble “lock,” and collective energy. Expect a high-lift day that connects singing to the body—great for musical confidence and performance presence.

Who it’s for
For anyone who wants rhythm, vitality and a bit more physical freedom in their singing—no dance experience required.

“I enjoy exploring and sharing cultural wealth with other people and music being a universal language that is relatable, helps me achieve that. It doesn’t matter what background we come from, music and creative arts as a whole, can be used to empower, entertain, educate and inspire individuals. l am just grateful to use my gift to achieve all that and bring people together.”  - Tsungai Tsikirai

The Stonegate Singers are a busy community choir based in York UK. Recent performance include concerts around York, and events such as the Stonegate Singers Ceilidh Night, together with the brilliant folk band The House Devils. The Stonegate Singers have performed live on the BBC, and as part of community events such as The Great Get Together in Rowntree Park. In August 2017, we performed in the Creswell Crags limestone gorge as part of Refugium, a new mixed media piece by director Jon Hughes.