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Melkiades Christian Banyanka

College of Humanities

Creative Arts

Biography

Currently is employed at UDSM, serving as Instructor (Music) under the department of Creative arts (CoHU). Before this He was employed at TaSUBa as a Music Instructor. Since August 2013 and up to October 2018 He was serving as a Coordinator of Studies at Bagamoyo Institute of Arts and culture (TaSUBa). Is a holder of M.A Degree in Music from the University of Dar es Salaam (2024). Before this He received a B.A degree in Music from Tumaini University Makumira (2012), a Diploma in Performing Arts from TaSUBa (Taasisi ya Sanaa na Utamaduni Bagamoyo, the former Bagamoyo College of Arts) (2009), and was awarded Grade IIIA Certificate in Special Needs Education of Patandi Teachers’ College (2006), Special Certificate in Music from Butimba Teachers’ College (2000) and a Teacher Grade IIIA Certificate from Kabanga Teachers’ College (1995). 

 

As a musician He has performed in various musical events in Tanzania and abroad. For example, from January 16th to April 16th 2013, He visited in Denmark, teaching Tanzanian traditional songs & dances, conducting workshops and concerts to confirmation classes, church choirs & music schools, He led mlekule dance, the dance from his (waha) ethnic group at the University of Stavanger (Norway), 22nd February to 8th march 2009. For this performance He played African drums, percussion, keyboard and tuba. During Umoja Cultural Flying Carpet International camp in Nairobi, Kenya (November 10th to 24th 2008), He received the chance to perform with artists from Zanzibar, Kenya, Ethiopia, Norway, and Netherlands. 

 

He also led a performance of the same mlekule dance during the 4th International Ethnomusicology Symposium at the University of Dar es Salaam (July 22nd to 24th 2010). He once performed Some Tanzanian dances in the US Embassy in Dar es salaam with Makumira Music department Ensemble (July 2011). He has experience in sacred Music and is involved in teaching different groups of choirs from various Christian churches in Tanzania since 1991. 

 

He dreams of using Music as a tool to understand, and express himself, to help people realize themselves as well as their rights and responsibilities, and to promote Cultural awareness and open-mindedness. He aims to help disadvantaged by promoting their independence through Arts Education. He works to advocate for their justice and peace so that they may have enhanced happiness! He believes that, Truth is the path toward freedom! 

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