Kutandara Center

Specialties

At Kutandara Center, we believe that our music inspires, transforms, and connects us to each other and our world.

Because we believe this, we commit to —

* Seeking opportunities for others to share these experiences;

* Honoring the traditions that create and sustain this music;

* Using our collective gifts and talents to grow these experiences in new ways;

* Connecting those around us to the peoples and cultures of Southern Africa;

* Collaborating with others as we create communities around this music;

* Recognizing and building the interdependence of the members of our community;

* Engaging others in our success and honoring their commitment to us and to each other.

History

Established in 1999.

Our directors, Randy McIntosh and Amy Stewart, began Kutandara Center in 1999 after falling in love with African music and wanting desperately to share their passion for this music with others.

African music touches people in different ways. Some weep with longing and deep understanding. Others can’t stop spinning, dancing, bouncing and smiling. Still others watch in amazement, unable to process the joy and energy coming from the instruments and the people playing them.

Come try it for yourself!

Meet the Business Owner

Amy and Randy M.

Business Owner

Randy is Kutandara Center’s music director. Randy graduated from Colorado State University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in music, and from the University of Colorado in 1996 with a master’s degree in music composition. Randy’s love of Zimbabwean music inspired him to write and arrange his own Shona-​style compositions. Randy is the Center’s composer and musical visionary.

Amy is Kutandara Center’s program director. Amy began studying African music in 1994 with master instructors both from Zimbabwe and the United States. Amy comes from a management background, having coordinated many environmental and educational projects for non-​profit organizations and state and county governments. Amy has an amazing ability to organize ideas, people and things and spends much time at the Center doing so. Amy reminds students and instructors alike that music is not only about notes and rhythms, but about relationships among people working together toward a common goal.