Meet Our Team

Rwanda Rocks Staff

  • Jean de Dieu Nkundabatware - Director of Rwanda Rocks Music School

    Jean, the Director of Rwanda Rocks Music School, has nurtured his passion for music since childhood. He considers himself fortunate to have Rwanda Rocks as a platform to cultivate, share, and hone his musical and leadership abilities. With a collaborative spirit, Jean values precision and fosters inclusivity and unity within the team. Beyond his musical pursuits, Jean de Dieu is also a dedicated health professional, always eager to spread positivity and enlightenment to the world.

  • Javan Uwimana - Creative Director

    Javan graduated from Ape Rugunga Secondary School in 2016 before following his passion for the arts to IBTC film school. His commitment and talent earned him a place on tour with Music for Life's African Children's Choir, where he gained invaluable experience as a vocal coach. With his keen artistic vision and musical proficiency, Javan enriches his students' learning journey, guiding them to unlock their musical potential and find their individual voices.

  • Gedeon Ishimwe - Drums / Percussions Teacher

    Gedeon is a seasoned instructor in Drums and Percussion at Rwanda Rocks Music School. Simultaneously, he is advancing towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His fervor lies in harnessing drums as instruments for cultural transformation and artistic expression. Gedeon possesses a remarkable ability to impart his expertise to every student at Rwanda Rocks Music School, nurturing their musical growth with passion and skill.

  • Gad Nkurunziza

    Gad Nkurunziza - Guitar Teacher 

    Renowned by his stage name N.G Original, NG is a multifaceted artist excelling as a guitarist, music teacher, singer, songwriter, and melody creator. At Rwanda Rocks Music School, he imparts his expertise as a guitar instructor, driven by his passion to use music as a source of solace for the soul. NG's aspiration is to disseminate this message globally, and he finds joy in witnessing his students master the guitar with proficiency, akin to seasoned professionals.

  • Hezron Wamta - Guitar Teacher

    Hezron, a dedicated guitar instructor at Rwanda Rocks Music School, holds a Bachelor of Theology for Ministry degree from Mount Meru University in Arusha, Tanzania. His lifelong passion for music stems from childhood, where he discovered his innate talent for singing, playing guitar, piano, and drums. He credits his musical prowess to the rich heritage passed down from his parents and grandparents, who were esteemed traditional musicians in their time. Hezron is also a devoted husband and father of two.

  • Sam Shaban Kirenga

    Kirenga Sam Shaban - Drums / Percussion Teacher 

    Sam is a versatile professional with a passion for rhythm and encouragement. He started at the Rwanda Rocks Music School as a student and has since become a percussion teacher at Rwanda Rocks. In addition to music, Sam is on the cusp of completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Land Surveying, demonstrating his adaptability. Sam is committed to changing society with his music and empowering students through music education. He is more than a musician or a surveyor; he is an artist and an educator. Sam's diverse background and unwavering dedication makes him an invaluable asset to Rwanda Rocks, promising unforgettable experiences and beautiful rhythm.

  • Lewis Mugisha Munyazikwiye - Drums / Percussion Teacher

    Lewis began his journey at Rwanda Rocks Music School as a student and has since transitioned into a teaching role. With a robust background in music, he is also on track to graduate with an A2 qualification in Mechanics and Automobile from Saint Joseph Le Travelleur. Moreover, Lewis has earned certificates from several music workshops, enriching his skills, expertise, and understanding of the craft. Passionate about nurturing a deep appreciation for percussion and music, he is committed to inspiring and mentoring students as they embark on their musical endeavors.

  • Bertrand Hategekimana - Piano Teacher

    Bertrand is a seasoned piano instructor at Rwanda Rocks Music School, renowned for his work and numerous performances with bands such as "Trezzor". His infectious smile brightens every classroom, inspiring students to delve deeper into their musical pursuits. Bertrand attributes his success to a blend of humility, hard work, and unwavering belief. In addition to his musical talent, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology (IT). As a devoted husband and proud father of one, Bertrand exudes joy in all aspects of his life.

  • Samilla Uwase - Vocals Teacher

    Samilla, a promising 18-year-old musician and educator from Rwanda, embarked on her musical journey at Rwanda Rocks Music School, initially as a Drum student. Through unwavering dedication and relentless effort, she graduated from Rwanda Rocks in 2018. Fueled by her passion for music and a desire to impart her wisdom to others, Samilla has transitioned into the role of Vocal Teacher at Rwanda Rocks. She takes delight in nurturing and motivating singers, assisting them in uncovering their own voices and musical identities.

  • Eya Khalifa - Dance Choreography Teacher

    Eya is a dedicated and proficient choreographer, dance teacher, and performer with a profound commitment to using dance, music, and theater as tools for healing among underprivileged children and local artists. His work cultivates meaningful connections, reinstates dignity, and ignites inspiration within his community.

Mary Fanaro

Founder / CEO of OmniPeace Foundation

Mary Fanaro is a social entrepreneur and the Founder of OmniPeace Foundation. OmniPeace – All. Things. Peace.

Mary’s journey is one of profound transformation, driven by a relentless pursuit of possibility. OmniPeace was launched in 2007 as the first humanitarian fashion brand with a mission: to build schools and empower youth living in extreme poverty in Africa. The initiative evolved into a multi-million-dollar fashion brand, partnering with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs' (former director of The Earth Institute/Columbia University) Millennium Villages Project. Inside these villages, she built the first seven primary schools in Senegal, Mali, and Malawi.

In a dramatic turn of events, just two weeks before the launch of OmniPeace on June 12, 2007, Mary was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Reflecting on this period, she says, “Facing a life-threatening disease propels you into a fight-or-flight mode.” However, abandoning the launch of OmniPeace was not an option.

As she looks at a poster in her office featuring over 50 celebrities wearing OmniPeace t-shirts with the tagline “Can Fashion Save Lives,” she realizes it had indeed saved lives—including her own.

A few years later, during a gorilla trek in Rwanda, her cab driver had an unusual request for her to build a music school. There weren’t any music schools there and he wanted his son to learn how to play. This struck a chord with Mary. She was initially hesitant due to her lack of musical talent, but soon realized there was a higher purpose at work.

Two months later, she returned to Rwanda to build not only one, but two music schools, including the first within a refugee camp in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

OmniPeace has since expanded into providing music education for children worldwide through their 2024 initiative, Global Music Box. This initiative will revolutionize the future of music education in support of mental health and well-being for children worldwide by transforming classrooms into music classrooms, overnight.

Today, OmniPeace Foundation stands as a leading advocacy organization dedicated to providing access to global music education. Mary's story is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, vision, and the unwavering belief in the possibility of change.