Mbira

Mbira is a non-profit organization that celebrates and assists to withstand the ancient musical traditions in Zimbabwe. The organization supports Zimbabwean musicians and instrument makers and their families through music education, recordings and performances. Mbira has also created the largest archive of Shona mbira music in the world, which is a permanent resource for generations to come. In 1998, the organization was incorporated in the State of California as a non-profit public benefit corporation. The corporation has non-profit status from the U.S. government. It is based in Berkeley, CA and it holds workshops and lessons throughout the year both in Berkeley and around the world.
The organization generated an estimated over $200,000 for 249 Zimbabwean musicians, and sales of mbiras more than half a million dollars for 19 Zimbabwean mbira makers. The institute conducts intensive workshops and private mbira lessons which are taught by Erica Azim.

Azim has played mbira for more than 40 years with visiting Zimbabwean musicians such as Leonard Chiyanike, Caution Shonhai, Patience Chaitezvi, Ambuya Jenny Muchumi, Forward Kwenda, Fradreck and Fungai Mujuru, Cosmas Magaya, Tute Chigamba, Irene Chigamba, Musekiwa Chingodza, and Ambuya Beauler Dyoko.