Santuri East Africa is a community-focussed music innovation hub based in Nairobi, Kenya.
We exist to bring about a more equitable, authentic and diverse music industry.
Award-winning music education in Nairobi
Studios, Santuri Salon workshop space, gear hire and more
The region’s first music tech and innovation summit
Artist development, events, bookings and more
Incubating creative enterprises
︎︎︎We specialize in providing progressive, globally-focussed music education for producers and DJs through the Santuri Electronic Music Academy (SEMA).
︎︎︎We connect artists to knowledge, music technology, production & recording facilities, and cultural dialogues at our Santuri Salon space.
︎︎︎We create opportunities for sonic artists through showcase events, residencies and collaborations
︎︎︎We provide an environment that lives our commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
︎︎︎We build partnerships and develop networks globally to support artists and creatives
︎︎︎We host an annual music tech and innovation summit - Kilele
SEMA
DJ101
Kisumu
DJ101 is for those who want to break into DJing, learning both the creative and technical skills required to mix and perform incredible live sets.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
KUJISAJILI KUMEFUNGULIWA
DJ101 KISUMU - DATES & LOCATION
Friday, September 5th, 2025 to Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Ijumaa, Septemba 5, 2025 hadi Ijumaa, Octoba 3, 2025
2 pm - 5 pm
(excluding public holidays; classes re-scheduled accordingly)
Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays
(SEMA certification is based on attendance and punctuality)
Lake Basin Mall
Mamboleo Junction, Kisumu County, Kenya
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BEGINNER MUSIC PRODUCTION (BMP)
Kisumu
The BMP course offers foundational skills in music production, from the basics of theory and sound design, to composition and arrangement, in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
KUJISAJILI KUMEFUNGULIWA
BMP KISUMU - DATES & LOCATION
Friday, September 5th, 2025 to Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Ijumaa, Septemba 5, 2025 hadi Ijumaa, Octoba 3, 2025
10 am - 1 pm
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
(excluding public holidays; classes re-scheduled accordingly)
(SEMA certification is based on attendance and punctuality)
Lake Basin Mall
Mamboleo Junction, Kisumu County, Kenya
- - - - - - -
SEMA encourages originality in answering and completing your application,
accomodations will be made for anyone unable to complete the process via the application link.
Get in contact via;
admissions@santuri.org
SEMA’s DJ101 & BMP Kisumu courses are sponsored by Sanara.
SEMA in Sanara
SEMA is dedicated to the upskilling of music practitioners, ensuring they can build vibrant, self-sustained livelihoods. With a commitment to intersectional inclusion, SEMA seeks to
create opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that students have
access to the resources and support they need.
By employing a learning-by-doing pedagogical approach, SEMA will play a crucial role in the Sanara program skilling for work, while fostering empowered and skilled audio technicians across the region.
About Sanara
exciting, inclusive program designed for young women and men in Kenya’s creative and
cultural industries aims to enable access to dignified and fulfilling work.
In partnership with Mastercard Foundation, the consortium of
HEVA, SNDBX, Baraza Media Lab and GoDown Arts Center,
have launched this 3-year program to offer opportunities for financing,
skilling programs and infrastructure, and the adoption of
sustainable practices that advance safer working environments.
For more information visit:
hevafund.com/sanara
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Feedback from the advanced music production course:
“I have to admit, I learnt more in a span of 6 weeks than all my previous experience in music production. This program has been a game changer to me and my music journey. I really appreciate all the tutors and the staff for their time, knowledge, patience and passion. I'm really proud of myself and more confident now about my art.”
“The program has changed how I think about sound as a whole. I feel like it led me to take a step back from what I already knew about music production, from the approaches I was already used to and to reconsider, reimagine, and relearn what sound is in general. (...) It also made me even more passionate about sound design. From building my own sounds, to making my own presets on VSTs. I just have a whole new range of possibilities in my mind when I think about making music now.”
“The program has changed how I think about sound as a whole. I feel like it led me to take a step back from what I already knew about music production, from the approaches I was already used to and to reconsider, reimagine, and relearn what sound is in general. (...) It also made me even more passionate about sound design. From building my own sounds, to making my own presets on VSTs. I just have a whole new range of possibilities in my mind when I think about making music now.”
Feedback from the beginner music production course:
“I'm more inspired and confident in myself and it's become easier to translate musical ideas into projects.”
“Not only do I know 'how to do', I now also know 'what to do'. Having experienced teachers from the industry completely changed my approach to music and creating as a whole. The class on 'Experimental Music' was the most impactful.”
“I've been exposed to the most talented individuals I've ever met, which in turn has taught me a lot and has truly become an inspiration.”
“It was incredibly inspiring! I felt the community enhanced my work.”
“It has been an amazing, amazing journey. It still baffles me that I’ve been able to garner all this knowledge in a little more than three
weeks.”
“Not only do I know 'how to do', I now also know 'what to do'. Having experienced teachers from the industry completely changed my approach to music and creating as a whole. The class on 'Experimental Music' was the most impactful.”
“I've been exposed to the most talented individuals I've ever met, which in turn has taught me a lot and has truly become an inspiration.”
“It was incredibly inspiring! I felt the community enhanced my work.”
“It has been an amazing, amazing journey. It still baffles me that I’ve been able to garner all this knowledge in a little more than three
weeks.”
Be the first to hear about new courses.
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The formation of Santuri Electronic Music Academy was supported by Goethe-Institut's Jenga CCI on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in collaboration with the GIZ.
The formation of Santuri Electronic Music Academy was supported by Goethe-Institut's Jenga CCI on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in collaboration with the GIZ.
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SEMA Advanced Course Showcase at Shelter
The Advanced Course Showcase packed out Shelter in Westlands, Nairobi in March 2022 with a line-up of 7 acts playing live electronic sets. These performances were conceptualised and developed as a part of their SEMA Final Projects. The night also featured stellar DJ sets from SnSe, Ng’at Maler, 7headc0, Coco Em and more.
SEMA Intermediate Course Graduation at Muringa
Back in November 2021, we held an amazing Showcase for the Intermediate Course featuring performances from the students and some special guests. Check out the highlights here:
SEMA Beginners Course Graduation at The Mist
The May 2022, the Beginners’ Course celebrated at The Mist in Westlands with performances from students and staff.
SEMA Film Club is a series of extra-curricular movie screenings held for SEMA students. It happens at Unseen Nairobi in Kilimani. Movies in line with our themes of electronic and traditional music are screened, then used as a jumping-off point for discussion between the participants about music, creativity and the industry. To keep the conversation flowing after the screening, Santuri invites DJs from our community to play on the terrace into the evening at Unseen Jams. Santuri has also worked with Unseen to provide a unique live scoring experience for the movies “Air Conditioner”, “Maangamizi” and “Citizen Kwame”.
