Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Nokuthula Ngwenyama (b. 1976): An American Violist & Violinist of African and Asian Heritage


[Rubinstein Sonatas; Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola; Jennifer Lim, piano; EDI Records (2008)]

A teacher who has visited our website would like to introduce African heritage in classical music to students who are primarily Asian. We have replied by email: “Many thanks for your warm words for AfriClassical.com! I hope your students will enjoy learning of some of the people celebrated at the site. One person with Asian ancestry is the violinist and violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama, whose father was Zimbabwean and whose mother was Japanese.” The teacher responded by email: “Thanks for your encouragement. I will look into Nokuthula Ngwenyama. Wow, what a name! I am sure that my students will be hyped.”

Nokuthula Ngwenyama is a prominent American violist and violinist of Zimbabwean and Japanese descent. She was born June 16, 1976, and grew up in Southern California. Ngwenyama maintains a very active schedule of performances, including festivals. Among her recordings is Rubinstein Sonatas, on which she plays viola and Jennifer Lim plays piano. The disc is a 2008 release from EDI Records.

1 comment:

G. Y. F. said...

Bill,
Your prolific gift of Africlassical is truly appreciated. Especially do I applaud today's post that highlights Nokuthula Ngwenyama. You know my commitment to total diversity. She is representative of a "world-person," beyond limitation of one "kind" and culture in the inclusion of all.