OUR VERY SPECIAL - AND TALENTED - TEAM

(photos to follow)

Risenga Makondo – State Registered Music Therapist HPC Number: AS01955

Instruments: Marimba, Berimbau, Various Drums, Body Percussion & Voice.

Born South Africa and moved to Soweto in the early 1980’s.

Into Reggae and joined a band called ‘Dread Warriors’ and through singing reggae learned to speak English. Later returned to traditional African Music.

1987 – 88
Joined a band called ‘Amampondo’ and played with them for 7 years, travelling the world and ended up in Brighton, UK .

1990 – 95
Settled in Brighton to study and at the same time taught traditional African Music and Dance at Brighton University.

1995 –
University of Surrey: Post Grad. Diploma in Music Therapy where he developed a special interest in disabled people and disadvantaged children.
Session work with BBC and played with The London School of Samba and an Irish/South African Group called ‘Elemental’.  Recently completed a new album with Alan Skidmore’s ‘Ubizo’ which includes many members of ‘Amampondo’.

2009 –
Joined SWSW Music Therapy team working mainly in Devon.

Runs Workshops training therapists on how to work in multi-cultural settings, and the use of non-western music with disabled people. Also trains Youth Workers in how to work with young people using percussion.

Further information about Risenga can be found on www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/world/

Risenga Makondo is a State Registered Music Therapist. A multi-percussionist and workshop facilitator for the past 26 years. He has led workshops in schools, colleges, and universities and in the community. In the UK: East Sussex County Council and Cheltenham Pupil Referral Units. Workshop for music therapists South West London and St George’s NHS Trust, World Congress of Music Therapy Conference, Nordoff Robbins APMT for Music Therapists .

Overseas: WOMAD Festivals EU / Singapore and Big Day Out Festival Australia / New Zealand and Japan. At present he works as part of the Sound Waves South West Music & Music Therapy Trust team.