A New Sound Begins: Global Impact Musician Program Launches with Kick-Off Week at KOFISI Nairobi

The air at KOFISI Nairobi was alive with energy and possibility. For the first time, sixty-five emerging musicians from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia gathered—some in person, others joining online—for the official launch of the Global Impact Musician (GIM) program. It was more than an introduction; it was the beginning of a movement that bridges artistry, leadership, and social impact across East Africa.

Zeynep Alpan & Paul Odera in Conversation with Student Cohort © Felix Nerdrum

Each participant arrived carrying a story, an instrument, and a vision for change. Hosted in KOFISI’s vibrant and creative spaces, the Kick-Off Week set the tone for the year ahead, immersing the cohort in the program’s central idea: that musicians are not only performers, but educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

The week opened with orientation sessions led by Dr. Zeynep Alpan, Prof. Taya König-Tarasevich from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Levi Wataka, GIM’s East African Director. Together, they unveiled the five key modules that will define the program: Self-Development, Professional Growth, Musicians as Educators, Project Development & Management, and the Capstone Residency in Madison. From the first moments, it was clear this was not just another training program—it was the start of a shared journey toward creative and personal transformation.

Zeynep Alpan & Taya König-Tarasevich © Felix Nerdrum

As introductions gave way to workshops, the atmosphere deepened into connection. Musicians met their mentors, shared goals, and began collaborations that will grow into long-term projects throughout the year. Leadership sessions encouraged participants to identify their strengths, refine their communication styles, and see their artistry as a platform for impact.

“The moment we met in person, it felt like a family forming,” one participant shared. “We weren’t just musicians anymore—we were part of something bigger.”

Mentorship became the heartbeat of the week. Guests from across education, business, and sport shared insights on what it means to lead with purpose and resilience. In between sessions, KOFISI’s modern coworking spaces hummed with conversation and laughter—a fitting environment for a program that blends creativity with innovation, and community with opportunity.

Inagural Concert © Felix Nerdrum

The week culminated in a Kick-Off Concert Celebration, where students took to the stage in front of mentors, partners, and guests. The performances—ranging from classical and jazz to traditional East African sounds—captured the diversity and vitality of the cohort. Livestreamed to audiences across the continent, the concert marked the moment the program’s vision came to life: individual voices joining together to create something collective and new.

As the final notes faded, a sense of purpose lingered. The Kick-Off Week had set the foundation for a year of growth—one that would continue through weekly hybrid sessions, monthly in-person intensives, and sustained mentorship. The journey will lead to the 2026 Capstone Residency at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where the top fifteen musicians will bring their final projects to life on a global stage.

At KOFISI, the first notes of that journey rang out—vibrant, courageous, and full of promise. The Global Impact Musician program had officially begun, and with it, a new sound rose from East Africa: the sound of transformation.