Sauti Students

A short introduction of the Sauti Academy full time students. There are 10 of them so far. They all have a story to tell. First an introduction.

Ian Chege

A voice with no picture, a sound that pulls without you having to see, the sense of hearing with no need to see…Well, that’s music! It makes people react in different ways which I find interesting. Some laugh, some cry, some fall in love. An expression of emotions that are best put in a melody.

I’ve always sang since I was a child though I did not know I had a voice that could sooth the ear. I believe everyone has a good voice but being to be able to put words in a soothing melody is a blessing.

I’m a musician who sees the world in a different way and always thinks of an alternative. That’s the reason why I choose to do alternative genres of music, alternative soul (neo-soul), alternative rock, alternative blues; the list is endless.

Sauti Academy is a school that has taught me so far on how to execute music in the way that I imagine it. I have learnt a lot, especially when it comes to performance because I believe that that’s one of the most important things one needs to learn as a musician. The academy has become one of my pillars in music and what I learn is something that I treasure because I know that it’s really hard to get a place where your talent can be nurtured, understood and developed.

Remember the first sentence I wrote? Well it should be a voice with a picture, a sound that pulls so that you can see and the sense of hearing with a need to see…and I’m still learning!

Freddy Nthale

My names are Alfred Nthale Nduta. I was born on 5/2/1990 a second born in a family of four. I don´t know the whereabouts of my biological father, I live with my loving mother who cares a lot but who has experienced many struggles to keep me going. We also live with my stepfather who cares for his two biological sons only and not me.

I attended my primary level studies in a school called Kyekoyo Primary school in Nyeri from 1996 to 2003. After receiving my K.C.P.E results I stayed out of school for a whole year because, I lacked school fees but luckily I joined form one in 2005 and cleared my secondary education in 2008 where I got a mean grade of C+. My dream was to continue my studies to University level but the problem was getting the fees. That is also the time I developed a passion in music which I dream can take me places in future. One day I hope music can help me to pay for my university fees in the future. If I ever get the chance I would like to study Human resource management.

I am studying at Sauti Academy as a sponsored student so all classes are free of charge for me. I hope this knowledge can help me build my career as a rapper. One day I will do the same thing Sauti Academy is doing for me and give someone else the opportunity to develop their passion to a profession.

Reuben Besa

My name is Reuben Besa, born in 1989 as the last born in a family of four children. I started my education in 1997 at Babadogo primary school. After 8 years of primary education, I joined Kegoye secondary school. I still think it’s a miracle my parents managed to pay the fees there.
After finishing secondary education in 2008 I stayed at home for a year searching for a job, but I did not succeed. When things were tough I discovered my passion for music.

In the beginning I thought it was easy to make it as a musician. I dreamt of making a lot of money and then give back to society. However on the way I encountered many challenges that I was unable to overcome on my own and it made me realize that music needs knowledge. I was introduced to Sauti Academy through a friend so I decided to go for the auditions. Luck was on my side and I was accepted into the full time program.
At Sauti Academy I met a wonderful teacher who told me I can get a full sponsorship, because paying the fees would be impossible for me. My dream is to become an international musician. Apart from learning more about music theory, singing, opening my mind to new styles and ways of making music I’m learning how to use my talent to give back to the community and to appreciate my fellow musicians. I feel like this is the start of my dream becoming true.

Introduction coming soon:

Kelvin Kiprono 

Naomi Munywoki

Willy Paul

Cynthia Waliaula

Rodney Muriuki

Wangari Kiarie

David Omondi