With only a weeks to go before the Tusker Project Fame 3 Academy opens, a star studded judging panel and training faculty members list has been unveiled.
The unveiling of the judging, training faculty and presenters duo comes hot on the heels of the regional auditions conclusion following a whirlwind seven towns and cities auditioning process across, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
Following the announcement, leading Afro-Jazz artiste Achieng Abura will lead the Academy’s Faculty as The Principal.
Internationally acclaimed local jazz artiste Joseph Hellon makes his debut in the Tusker Project Fame initiative as the Musical Director. This role will see him play a pivotal role in the selection of music that the contestants will be trained in. He brings with him vast experience in music performance, composition and production. Hellon is well known in Nairobi’s entertainment circles as a music teacher and jazz recording artiste with five albums to his credit.
Another first timer in the Tusker Academy Faculty is Kavutha Mwanzia-Asiyo joining in as the Vocal Coach. An alumni of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA, Kavutha is also a lead vocalist with the “4 Winds” jazz band
Edwin Odhiambo of Sarakasi dancers, one of East Africa’s leading dance troupes, brings his superb knowledge and skills of dancing as a performing art to the Tusker Academy contestants. Having choreographed the opening and closing shows of Tusker project Fame 1 and 2, Edwin joins in as the Dance Instructor and Choreographer.
The Judging panel will consist of Kenya’s Ian Mbugua and Tanzania’s award winning record producer, Hermes Bariki. As an award winning record producer, radio presenter and DJ, Hermes “Hermy B” Bariki brings vast knowledge of the region’s music industry to the show. Hermy B’s work includes hit singles and albums for artistes’ such as Tanzania’s TID, AY, Lady Jaydee and Nakaaya. He has also worked with Kenya’s Amani and Uganda’s Chameleone.
Juliana Kanyomozi signs in as the third judge. Juliana Kanyomozi, started her career in music and began professionally singing in the mid-1990s. Throughout her career she has recorded ground-breaking hits that have included: Usiende Mbali that is currently riding high on the chats. Julianna is one of the most popular contemporary musicians in East Africa today and is the reigning artiste of the year – 2008/2009 in Uganda
The Hosts
The Tusker Project Fame 3 weekly live shows will be hosted by Kenya’s Sheila Mwanyigha and Uganda’s Dr. Ronnie Michael ‘Mich’ Egwang.
Sheila Mwanyigha is back in Tusker Project Fame for the third year running, having hosted season 1 and 2 of the show as well. Sheila’s entertainment industry experience includes a musical career in which her alter-ego ‘Nikki’ has released a number of singles as well as one album. Sheila has also gained vast experience as a field reporter for MNET’s magazine show Studio 53.
Quick thinking and highly articulate Ugandan MC Mich Egwang is well known for his ability to bond with his audiences and his great sense of humour. With a background in veterinary medicine, Mich’s adventure in showbiz started over ten years ago with successful stints as a radio DJ in various stations in Kampala. He is also popular as a Master of Ceremonies for various corporate and social events, and is known to the East African audiences as the affable host of Mnet’s Deal of No Deal East Africa game show.