Sophie Nzayisenga

Sophie Nzayisenga is the first female master of the Rwandan traditional zither (inanga). Nzayisenga learned from internationally acclaimed father Thomas Girupfu before setting out to make the instrument her own. She was just six when she first picked up an inanga and began playing. She is currently one of the leading professional female inanga player in Rwanda and East Africa.

In 1986, Nzayisenga released her first song ‘Ikera kurima’ which was played on Radio Rwanda after a stiff competition with other artists. Between January and February 2016, she was one of the 15 musicians from across Africa who participated in the fourth edition of the Nile Project.