MUSIC CENTER KINARMONIK
ABOUT
OUR STORY
OUR MISSION
OUR OBJECTIVES
PARITY
THE FOUNDERS
OUR TEAM
OUR PARTNERS
OUR HISTORY A CENTER CONCEIVED FROM THE GROUND.
Kinarmonik was born in 2018 from a simple desire: to create a place designed from the realities and needs of Congolese musicians.
IN KINSHASA, A REALITY ON THE GROUND.
The conditions under which artists work are very different from those found elsewhere. Traveling in a vast city is expensive and time-consuming. For a musician, having to travel to multiple locations for classes, rehearsals, recordings, or to meet other professionals represents a cost that many cannot afford.
ANOTHER WAY TO DO IT
Therefore, we did not want to simply reproduce an existing model of music center, designed in another context and which would not necessarily correspond to the realities of Kinshasa.
We envisioned a place that brings together in one location everything a musician needs to advance in their professional career: learning, practicing, experimenting, meeting other artists and developing their projects.
A GLOBAL PROJECT
This reflection led to bringing together three poles within the same center: training, creation and production.
From the outset, we took into account the social and economic dimension of the artist's profession: access to resources, tools, professional skills and opportunities to develop a sustainable activity for everyone.
OUR MISSION
Giving musicians the means to develop their projects.
We want to contribute to a musical environment in which artists can progress, create, work together and develop a professional activity under better conditions.
Our action is based on three commitments:
Training: developing the musical and professional skills necessary to move forward.
To create: to have a space to rehearse, experiment, meet other artists and generate ideas.
Produce: access to means of creation and recording to give shape to musical projects.
Beyond the center's activities, we seek to promote intergenerational exchanges, to enhance Congolese musical resources, and to develop collaborations that open new perspectives for artists.
OUR OBJECTIVES
PROFESSIONALIZE
Becoming a professional is not just about improving one's instrumental technique.
It also means understanding one's craft, developing one's musical language, knowing how to work with others and having the necessary tools to build one's projects.
01
VALORIZE
Congolese music is a living history, carried by artists, rhythms, instruments, and expertise. We want to foster encounters between the musicians who are its custodians and new generations, so that this rich heritage continues to be practiced, explored, and transformed.
02
03
FOSTERING EMERGENCE
To create conditions conducive to the emergence of new talents, new creations and new initiatives in the music sector .
PARITY,
A COMMITMENT
CONCRETE.
Gender parity is a priority for Kinarmonik and a principle that guides our actions.
Since 2018, we have been encouraging women and girls to invest in music careers and to fully take their place in creation.
This commitment is also reflected in our own team, where we ensure a balanced representation of women and men.
For us, parity must be a reality, both in career paths and in responsibilities.
THE FOUNDERS
TWO PATHS, ONE SHARED PROJECT
Kinarmonik was built around two complementary commitments.
In Kinshasa, Éric Malu-Malu brings his experience as a musician, educator, his knowledge of the field and his reflection on training and musical creation.
From Paris, Lou supports the development of the structure, its administration, its communication and the building of partnerships between territories.
This complementarity allows Kinarmonik to maintain a daily presence in Kinshasa while developing collaborations and projects beyond the DRC.
ERIC
MALU-MALU
Founder · Artistic & Educational Director · Project Development · Producer
Musician, composer and educator, Éric Malu-Malu is the founder of Kinarmonik in Kinshasa in 2018.
His artistic journey and field experience have led him to develop a reflection on transmission, creation and the conditions necessary for the development of Congolese musicians.
Through Kinarmonik, he is developing a pedagogical approach adapted to local realities and supporting artists in their creative and production projects.
LOU
Co-founder · Administration · Communication · Project Development · Community Manager
Co-founder of Kinarmonik, Lou supports the development of the structure from Paris.
It is involved in administrative management, communication, project development and partnership research, while also ensuring the link between activities developed in Kinshasa and those carried out in France.
Its role helps to structure the development of Kinarmonik and to create bridges between the different actors and territories that participate in the project.
THE TEAM
A COMMITTED TEAM
Based on a shared vision
AMOUREUX KIMPIOKA
Center Coordinator
Maestro Trainer
Beginner - Intermediate Guitar
A team based in Kinshasa and Paris, with complementary expertise, mobilized to support artists, develop the center's activities and promote Kinarmonik in the DRC and internationally .
VIRGINIE DUPEYRAUX
Head of Development and Institutional Relations
TOUSSAINT KIMBEMBI
Beginner Maestro Trainer - Bass
LEAH MBUYAMBA
Local Rehearsal Manager
Beginner Maestro Trainer - Piano
JEPHTE LUBUNGU
Logistics Manager
OUR PARTNERS
THEY SUPPORT OUR PROJECT
We thank our partners for their trust and support, which contribute to the development of our activities, the training of artists and the promotion of Congolese music.
