Maali's Music School

Founded by Alagi M'Bye in 1990, Maali Music School is the first school of traditional music for children in The Gambia. M'Bye is a veteran kora player who teaches kora and other African traditional instruments in different regions. The school teaches students to traditionally learn how to sing, dance and play instruments such as kora, balafong, drums and Djembe. Music instruments are taught by teachers from the country’s three main ethnic groups namely Mandinka, Wolof and Fulani.

He started Maalis Music School to give the kids in the street something to do. Today, he also has older students from other regions that stay at his compound and are learning to become professional musicians.