BACKGROUND:

In 2008, Terrie Hessels and Emma Fischer established an ongoing cultural exchange between Holland and Ethiopia.

With funds from the Dutch Government, they have been able to invite European and American musicians to engage in musical collaborations with Ethiopian musicians and to give workshops to students of music. In addition, they've developed special collaborative projects, such as bringing Friso Heidinga, a Saxophone technician from Amsterdam to Addis to repair damaged instruments and to train repairmen. 

In December 2009, Ken Vandermark, one of the invited musicians, gave workshops at the Yared Music School and African Jazz Music School, and worked with the Ethiopian musicians Getatchew Mekuria and Mesele Asmamaw, as well as the dancer Melaku Belay.  He also took many photographs.




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