Thembelihle Dunjana

Thembelihle Dunjana is a composer, pianist and singer from Cape Town, Gugulethu. At the age of 25, Thembelihle has already worked and played for South African vocalist Msaki, Saxophonist Sisonke Xonti, drummer Frank Paco and other jazz musicians in the music industry. Thembelihle started playing piano at the young age of 10 years and has since studied at schools with music departments from primary school through to high school and then furthering her skills at Varsity at the South African college of music. She regulary performs at jazz venues around Cape Town such as, Hank’s old Irish and Jazz in the Native yards. She has toured with her band around Durban, Gauteng and Mozambique, playing music from her debut double disc album (INTYATYAMBO). Thembelihle is also a teacher and mentor to younger musicians having worked at Kronendal music academy, teaching music to children who are mostly from the “Imizamo yethu” community who, through her teaching has seen how music has had the ability to lift the spirit and verve of young minds. Thembelihle strongly believes that when children see the growth that they gain from practicing their technical ability on a musical instrument, it manifests into other aspects of their lives, it lifts their self-esteem and self-worth and even their reason for having vigour to tackle each day. This has been atthe root of the mentorship that Thembelihle hopes to instil in her young learners. She has also taught at Rainbow music academy, and IMAD music school, mentoring young musicians in the township of Khayelitsha to grow their musical talents. She now teachesjazz piano at Bergvliet high school.