Old Customs House, Mizingani Road, Opp. Mizingani Seafront Hotel, Zanzibar, Tanzania

PO Box 4055, Mizingani, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Diploma and certificate programs

Diploma/Certificate in Music. Two years. Programs of teaching music performance in traditional Zanzibar music styles (taarab, beni, kidumbak), in Western classical and jazz/popular styles (voice, violin, guitar, ‘cello, trumpet, trombone, percussion, piano, organ, accordion, ngoma, oud, qanun), music theory, music technology, music appreciation, choir, traditional dance.

The Dhow Countries Music Academy is a non-profit, non-government organisation which opened a music school in Stone Town, Zanzibar in 2002, providing music lessons as well as instruments at minimal cost to both male and female students from age five and upward. The program includes Western and traditional music with particular emphasis on teaching traditional Zanzibar music styles. The 'Dhow Region' includes countries along the shores of the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf (Zanzibar, Comoros, Oman, Kuwait, Iran, U.A.E and India). Particular emphasis is placed on teaching traditional Zanzibar music styles, such as taarab, ngoma or kidumbak, and a student orchestra has been established. Most of the teachers come from Zanzibar. Occasional master classes and some guest teachers from outside give the musicians the opportunity to further their professional excellence. Workshops and seminars are generally free of charge and there is a scholarship program for talented individuals. The library provides recordings, books and instruments. The Academy runs an agency to promote musicians and to seek job opportunities.

August 2022