The sound of opportunity
There has never been a lack of talent in Africa, rather a lack of opportunity and access to resources.
Young musicians all over the world invest every available hour perfecting the skills and developing the unique musical voices that could define their career. For many, the journey from talent to professional artist is reliant on something far more scarce: access. For many talented young musicians across Africa, there is no guarantee of training or mentorship as a reward for hard work. For a generation of aspiring musicians and audio engineers across Southern Africa, Music Crossroads is closing that gap.
For more than 25 years, Music Crossroads International has built pathways into music where few existed before. Through its academies in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, the organisation creates access to and empowers young artists through, music training, mentorship, industry exposure, and the practical skills to hone their talent into a craft, as well as turn it into a way to support themselves, their families and communities.
A partnership built on trust
The Focusrite partnership with Music Crossroads was launched in 2019. This one year partnership quickly proved that a long term collaboration would impact young lives in a positive and meaningful way. Supporting students through their entire course of study, rather than over the course of a single year, gives them a real chance to build a career within the creative sector after graduation. That early work together eventually grew into the multi-year Focusrite Scholarship Programme, which continues to grant access and empower young people today.
The decision to focus support on one organisation, rather than spreading it across many causes, was deliberate. Music Crossroads’ scale, structure, and track record made it possible to have a deeper, more lasting impact. A personal connection helped, too. Joe Herrmann, Music Crossroads’ director, was already well known at Focusrite, giving the partnership a foundation of trust from the outset.
A shared belief also connects Focusrite and Music Crossroads: talent shouldn’t be limited by circumstance. The scholarship programme helps remove the barriers that stand between a talented young musician and a career, including funding education, accommodation, mentorship, and real industry exposure, alongside providing equipment and gear from across the Focusrite Group. It’s a model that holds potential to spread across the music industry, either by directly sponsoring students or building bespoke programmes similar to Music Crossroads.
The impact in numbers and people
Demand for the programme continues to grow. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, Music Crossroads received 153 applications for scholarships — 21 students were accepted. Behind each of those places is a story of talent meeting opportunity.
Matilde Mangue joined Music Crossroads Mozambique to pursue her dream, despite family pressure to focus solely on her Electrical Engineering studies.
Through the Academy, Matilde strengthened her artistic identity while still being able to continue her university education. Today, she's a guitarist in So Elas — one of the most influential all-female bands in Mozambique, led by the renowned Mozambican artist Tchakaze. All while completing her Electrical Engineering degree, proving that artistic and academic ambitions can successfully coexist.
"Music taught me discipline, resilience, and the courage to follow my own voice." — Matilde Mangue
Domingos Balane works as a coach of music theory and arrangements on “Fama Show”, one of Mozambique’s biggest reality TV shows. He is also the youngest piano player in one of the country’s most successful bands, Mabulu Band and works as a session musician in studios, churches, stages, and is an elite piano tutor at several private schools in Maputo.
Originally from Gaza Province, Domingos Balane joined Music Crossroads Mozambique through a Focusrite scholarship, where he received academic guidance, mentorship, rehearsal opportunities, and practical performance experience, before joining the Academy’s own teaching staff and building the career he has now.
"Music Crossroads gave me confidence to believe that music could become both my profession and my contribution to [the] growth of society.” — Domingos Balane
Yasmin’s introduction to Music Crossroads was by chance when she accompanied a friend to their audition. But when the Academy’s administrator noticed her passion for the piano, a scholarship made it possible for her to enrol too, despite her family’s financial circumstances.
A native of Maputo Province, Yasmin originally studied accounting at Eduardo Mondlane University. It’s not an exaggeration to say the Academy changed everything. She received opportunities that strengthened both her confidence and skills. While studying, she also designed a platform enabling the royalty collection for professionals in the music industry, while doubling as an online library for artists’ works.
Today, she performs as a member of the female band “Music’N US” and continues inspiring young women to follow their creative ambitions.
“Choosing music was not the easiest path, but it was the one that truly made me feel alive and purposeful.” — Jasmin
Looking forward
The demand Music Crossroads continues to see is a clear sign of how much talent is still waiting for its opportunity. As the organisation expands its reach across Southern Africa, new partnerships with brands, other organisations, and individuals who believe in the same mission could help even more young people turn their talent into a sustainable career.
Committing to long-term support, and not to a single project, is what makes a real difference. If your organisation is interested in exploring a similar partnership, reach out to Joe Herrmann, Director of Music Crossroads, at joe@music-crossroads.net