From piano boy to producer; Maurice Umwami

Maurice Umwami a.k.a Maurix started off where most musicians do, in the church. In 1997, he played piano at the Minor Seminary Secondary School in Karubanda and also sung in Kigali’s choir called Choral de Kigali. In 2000, he founded Amis de la Paix (friends of peace) group in Kigeme. When,he went to the National University of Rwanda, he joined the popular Salus Populi. Salus Populi is like a drama and music club where University students express themselves through music, most times playing popular Rwandan ‘oldies’ and sometimes playing their original music. Maurix has for a long time been leading the group. This year, he successfully completed training as a producer. He has since established the Maurix Music Studio. Tete a tete with Maurix TNT: From your first step to now, how do you see your music? Maurix: Actually, it has developed but with time. TNT: How do you help artists? Maurix: The first help is doing the artists music the way they like it, then give some ideas and advertise their music. TNT: Artist or producer, which are you proudest of? Maurix: It’s that Maurix is able to do good things. TNT: What keeps you going everyday? Maurix: Music and I make it with joy. TNT: How do you ensure balance between music and studies? Maurix: Music and studies both have their own time. TNT: As an artist, what would you ask of producers? Maurix: Keeping time and respecting artists’ ideas. TNT: As a producer, what would you ask artists? Maurix: To always work hard. Ends

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From piano boy to producer; Maurice Umwami