OUR INITIATIVES
ARTIST SUPPORT PROGRAM
The DRC is flooded with world-class talent. We shine a light on the talented musicians of all genres by creating opportunities to share their music with their community, country, and the world through concerts, album recordings, speaking events, and video productions.
Despite all of the beauty in the DRC, the country is often viewed as full of violence and despair. But there is so much strength, perseverance, and positivity in the country. We assist the musicians we work with to harness the power of their music to highlight their culture and change the narrative of the country.
By showcasing their talent through various channels, including the diplomatic community, UN agencies and educational institutions, we aim to change the stigma around being musicians in the DRC.
ALBUM PRODUCTION
We produces albums of our artists who are using their voices to spread the message of hope and perseverance, and uplift their communities.
By distributing albums exclusively on our platforms, we are able to send majority of proceeds directly to the artists to support their livelihood. So that they can live with dignity and confidence as artists and continue harnessing the power of their music to highlight their culture and change the narrative of the country.
Workshops
Since the inception of Music Beyond, we are dedicated to making valuable resources and networks available to musicians, empowering them to find purpose under challenging circumstances and reclaim their narratives through music.
Many of Music Beyond’s students have gone on to become valued music teachers and community leaders.
Light Initiatives, Goma, DRC
LOCAL MUSIC SCHOOL support
Music Beyond is currently supporting Light Initiatives, a community music school in Goma.
It is a school consisting of one tiny room. However, their impact is immeasurable. They are teaching the joy of music to youth in challenging circumstances for free so that they can find courage, motivation, confidence, and hope. We are proud to support this school both musically and financially, so they can continue their essential work on the ground.
Malaika School, Kalebuka, DRC
Curriculum building
Music Beyond’s founder, internationally acclaimed flutist Kaori Fujii, partners with schools, NGOs, and other organizations to offer consulting that helps them to strengthen their music programs and build new curricula from the ground up. Alongside the musicians Music Beyond works with in Congo, Kaori also leads workshops and master classes that inspire the next generation of talent. In addition to providing children with a positive creative outlet and a sense of purpose, music is invaluable to education and brain development. (A five-year study carried out by the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that music instruction accelerates brain development in young children.)
Art of Hope
Art of Hope is a cross-cultural event that Music Beyond co-created in 2019. This multifaceted event aims to send a positive message of hope to empower Congolese people and share with the world the strength, talent, and beauty of the country and its people.
[Visit ArtofHopeDRC.com]
La Romance de l’OSK, Kinshasa
Women’s empowerment Program
Founded in 2016, Music Beyond’s women’s chamber ensemble «LA ROMANCE de l’OSK» provides women with a safe space to express and explore themselves through music. Among many groundbreaking efforts as Congo’s first all-female chamber ensemble, Romance de l’OSK recorded a music video in Kinshasa that was produced by an all-Congolese team. The ensemble aims to serve as a beacon of hope for women and girls in Congo and around the world.