Whidbey Island’s Marimba Center

Classes at Rubatano Center

Rubatano Center offers classes year-round, arranged in sessions that last anywhere from 5-11 weeks, depending on the time of year.  Tuition is charged per session and will be posted before each session.

The teaching style used emphasizes learning through traditional Zimbabwean methods, rooted in the oral tradition of listening, watching and repetition.

Students learn how each individual part contributes to the arrangement, and that without even a single part, the whole cannot be appreciated to the full extent.

Team building, self-esteem, self-confidence, active listening are all cultivated in the learning of a song.

To sign up for classes please register online, call, or send us an e-mail for more  information:

Dana Moffett     360-321-3868     marimba@whidbey.com

Current Class Schedule

Monday

• Chenjera:  3:00 – 5:00 pm
• Shanduko:  5:00 – 6:30 pm

Tuesday

• Chipiri Kids Class:  3:45 – 5:00 pm
• Mweya:  7:00 – 8:30 pm

Wednesday

• Chitatu:  9:30 – 11:00 am
• Dandaro:  4:00 – 5:45 pm
• Nzira ‘Project Group’:  6:30 – 8:30 pm  (Click Here for More Information)

You as a Student

What to expect in your class session

Fun!  This is the primary goal.
Whatever your playing or skill level is, you can expect to be challenged in class. Each session will include the introduction of a new song or continuation on a recent new song; parts and arrangement development to an existing song; playing songs already learned but still working on the challenges of timing, tempo, etc.

Parents

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach your child. I am keenly aware of the responsibility that is mine and I will do my best to be deserving of the trust you have placed in me.

Please drop off and pick up your child on time.   More than 10 minutes early or late is too much.  Parents are always welcome to come into the studio the last 5 minutes of class.

Private Lessons

I am available for private lessons. This is very appropriate for lead players and also if you choose to do extra studying of challenging parts, developing your existing part, building your skill level, etc.

Summer Sessions

Classes continue throughout the summer, but in shorter session duration. There are also summer camps, weekend intensives, and guest teachers in the summer.

‘Play Marimba’ Summer Day Camp

Each summer Rubatano Center has camp sessions for youth, ages 8-12.
Dates and times are announced in the spring.
Recitals / Performances
These are very fun events that you can invite your family and friends to. Recitals are held twice a year, usually in May or June after the spring session ends and again in late November or early December for our Rubatano Holiday Recital Party.

There are many opportunities for student performances, too. These are booked in advance and are student/class confirmed.

Extra Cultural Activities

Rubatano Center hosts many guest teachers and performers throughout the year. Many of them come from Zimbabwe and travel around the United States, teaching and performing in the various marimba communities. This is always a fantastic opportunity to experience other teaching styles as well as get a Shona cultural experience. Classes offered include marimba, mbira, hosho, dance and singing. The workshops are offered for your class, or with groupings of Rubatano Center students, or within the larger Whidbey Island community, as well as private lessons. Fees for these workshops are separate from Rubatano class fees.
Rubatano Center also hosts, with the help of class and community volunteers, at least one fundraiser per year to help our friends in Zimbabwe and to encourage a continuing personal exchange between Zimbabwe and our community to foster better understanding between our different cultures.

Nzira
‘Project Group’

Chenjera

Shanduko

Dandaro