As part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations, several of Morningside Music Bridge’s exceptionally talented Alumni toured in Zimbabwe. The two-week teaching and performing residency in Zimbabwe occurred in May 2026.

Alumni:

Amaryn Olmeda, violin (USA)

Emma Price, cello (Zimbabwe)

Emad Zolfaghari, viola (Canada)

Mohammed Alshaikh, piano (Palestine)

Amaryn Olmeda, violin; Emad Zolfaghari, viola; Emma Price, cello; and Mohammad
Alsheik, piano and other members of the touring group (Jay Sun, piano; Kathy Dornian, piano and Paul Dornian, Executive Director) also taught local music students and held professional development sessions for Zimbabwean music teachers. MMB alumni also performed about a dozen school concerts.

Zimbabwe – The Series

Experience MMB's 2026 Zimbabwe tour through this video series, documenting the two weeks of music-making, teaching, performance, and exchange with local music communities.

A Note from Filmmaker and Director Emil Agopian

Emil introduces MMB on Tour in Zimbabwe: The Series and shares the story behind the project.

Episode 1 – Watch Pro Musicians Prepare an Entire Concert in 2 Hours

Episode 2 – Pro Musicians Observe Child on Marimba

Episode 3 – They Sounded AMAZING

Episode 4 – How To Practice When You Have Zero Time

Episode 5 – Top Violinist Teaches You How To Warm Up Properly

The alumni gave 3 performances of Masakhane – a piano quartet by Zimbabwean composer Vusi Ndebele commissioned especially for the tour.

Morningside Music Bridge Quartet with Vusi Ndebele, composer

Two of the four evening concerts featured MMB alumni performing with numerous Zimbabwean musicians. These included 3 school choirs, 2 school instrumental ensembles, a marimba & mbira ensemble, jazz pianist, saxophonist, electric bass, singer,and various percussionists.

May 22, 2026

‘Soundscapes: A Musical Collaboration’ with many of Bulawayo’s finest musicians and the Morningside Music Bridge Quartet.

Robert Sibson Hall, Zimbabwe Academy of Music, Bulawayo

May 23, 2026

‘Featuring the Morningside Music Bridge International Quartet’

Robert Sibson Hall, Zimbabwe Academy of Music, Bulawayo

 

 May 29, 2026 

‘Soundscapes: A Musical Collaboration’ with many of Harare’s finest musicians and Morningside Music Bridge Quartet

The Odeon at Hellenic Academy , Harare

May 30, 2026

‘Featuring the Morningside Music Bridge International Quartet’

Arundel Chapel, Harare