Rebecca Merblum '01 MM, Co-Director of KICF, to Lead a 10-Day Chamber Music Festival in Kenya

Published on December 1, 2023

NEC alumna Rebecca Merblum '01 MM is now is the co-director of KICF, a chamber music festival and string training academy in Kenya. Although Rebecca dedicates most of her time to KICF, she is a frequent guest with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, performs with the London Contemporary Orchestra, and is also involved in versatile work connected to the McKnight Fellowship. 

KICF began in 2020 with a connection to students in the Korogocho slum of Nairobi through the Art of Music Foundation. Rebecca and her co-director, Robert Howard, were inspired to support these students' lives, and KICF quickly evolved from bi-weekly virtual meetings to daily efforts. In Season One and Two, they were able to visit six cities in Kenya, presenting music to audiences ranging from school students to National Theatre ticket holders.

Season Three begins in January 2024 and will bring musicians from all around the world together to perform throughout Kenya. The organization will conduct a 10-day chamber music festival with filmmaker Lindsay Krenshaw, and photographer Charles Michael Ballestamon. In addition to the festival, KICF shipped 50 violins, violas, and cellos to Kenyan students in the past week.

Learn more about KICF and their upcoming season here. Thank you for your work, Rebecca!

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