Gloire Teaches Music and Fine Art

  The Long-Awaited Dream: My Home Studio Journey For as long as I can remember, the idea of having my own home studio has been a persistent whisper in the back of my mind. Like so many other aspiring musicians, I've dreamt of a personal space where creativity could flow freely, unburdened by external constraints. This dream has been brewing for over 15 years , ever since I first fell in love with the raw joy of recording myself and friends at home using my iPhone 4 – laying down cover songs, worshipping God through music, sharing our cultural stories, and just jamming out. The thought of constantly relying on external music producers never quite sat right with me. The logistics, the frustrating cancellations due to their packed schedules, and often, a disconnect from an artist's true inspiration and wishes – it all felt like a roadblock to authentic creation. Though I tried hopping between friends' studios or snatching precious hours in school facilities. But it ...

The Practice Paradox: Quality vs. Quantity in Band Rehearsals Back in Rwanda, my days in the Impuhwe Choir and other bands were a whirlwind of musical activity. We'd often practice three or more times a week—Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays were full band days. Then, Tuesdays were dedicated solely to instrumentalists, and lead singers had their own exclusive sessions. That's a solid five days of rehearsals almost every single week! And you know what? The results spoke for themselves. Our music arrangements were always on point, the vocals were tight, and our stage presence was top-notch . It was an intense but incredibly rewarding experience that truly honed our skills and chemistry as a group . A Different Beat in Kenya So, naturally, when I moved to Kenya and wanted to join a worship team here in Nakuru, I expected a similar commitment. I eagerly asked about their rehearsal schedule, mentally preparing for a packed week. Their response? "Oh, we practi...

  Have All the Melodies Been Sung? A Musician's Existential Crisis It was 2012, a time when my world revolved around music. My days were a beautiful mess of harmonies and rhythms, spent composing with the Compassion International Choir , the Impuhwe Choir , and a small band of friends I’d put together in Gisenyi Town . We were a passionate bunch, driven by a shared dream of creating something new and meaningful. One day, while we were in the throes of creation—writing lyrics and humming to find that perfect melody—one of my friends paused and said, “Guys that tune sounds familiar. Let's keep thinking so we can come up with a completely new melody.” A small debate erupted among us. To prove the point, some of us started humming familiar songs, a spontaneous chorus of well-known tunes filling the room. It was a fascinating moment—a glimpse into the collective musical memory we all shared. We eventually agreed to keep searching for a truly unique melody and, after much deliberati...

The Unexpected Detour to My Artistic Destiny Oh, to be a kid again, lost in a world of doodles and dreams! Between 2005 and 2010, my world revolved around my pencil and any surface I could get my hands on. Seriously, every exercise book—English, French, EST, Math—was a canvas waiting for its next masterpiece. And yes, that often landed me in hot water with a particular teacher. Can you guess her subject? 😉 My sketch repertoire was pretty diverse back then. You'd find everything from the Arsenal FC logo (go Gunners!), to legendary football players like Ronaldinho and Zidane , national flags, Spider-Man , Che Guevara , or even a delicate rose flower . It wasn't long before my classmates and even my teachers at GACUBA II A in Gisenyi town started seeking my artistic "assistance" for scientific diagrams, school projects, or just some decorative flair. My very first "paying gig" came at the tender age of nine. Living on a church estate, there were severa...