The Moipei quartet

By Shirley Genga

The Moipei quartet

SERAPHINE AGE: 16 YEARS OLD

Your life came to a standstill in 2010 tell us about it?

In 2006, I saw myself change. I became withdrawn and those around me thought it was because I was becoming a teenager. I was, however, diagnosed with a rare penial gland tumour at 14 years of age after I had a seizure.

I then slowly lost use of my left hand and began to stand more on my right leg. I love to play the flute but I could no longer play it. 2010 turned out to be a difficult year for my family as I was in and out of hospital. At one point, I travelled to India with my mum for surgery and we stayed there for three months.

How did you manage?

My family was there for me. My mum especially, would encourage me. She stored my favourite Beethoven symphony in her phone and would play it for me while we were in India. This would make me feel better.

What happened next?

I was not in school for the whole of 2010. After the surgery, I lost some of my memory but I am slowly putting things together. I also had to learn how to use my left hand.

What instruments do you play?

I play the flute, violin and piano. The first instrument I played was the piano. My dad introduced my sisters and I when we were younger. I later learnt how to play the flute and violin. My favourite instrument to play is the flute because of its soft tones; it is also pleasant to the ear.

Describe yourself in a few words?

I am inquisitive and disciplined. I am a bit of an introvert but when I need to be heard, I get out of my comfort zone. I love to read books. Dan Brown is my favourite author.

What is your favourite subject?

I love the theory of music in particular, the different periods of music. I particularly love the Baroque period and medieval period. It was a very versatile period. Art is also one of my favourite subjects.

Future career goal...

I hope to continue singing with my sisters.

Apart from music...

I enjoy playing tennis. I also love drama. I enjoy acting and doing monologues; it is an interesting experience to take on someone else’s role. It helps me to explore my character.

How do you balance school and music?

I divide my time equally. I give my time to school when in school, and do my music after school. I do homework during school hours and dedicate my free time to my music.

Which musician do you admire?

Celine Dion — her sound stands out and Suzzanna Owiyo whose music has good character and expression.

MAGDALENE (MIDDLE TRIPLET) 18 YEARS

Describe yourself..

Determined, focused and lively. I am  the girly one among the three.

What instrument do you play?

The flute, piccolo, piano and violin. My favourite is the piccolo.

Favourite subject...

I love psychology because I am fascinated by the origin of disorders. I love understanding how the brain works.

Apart from music...

I love swimming and reading novels. Nora Roberts is my favourite author. Her books are fiction and very captivating.

I love being part of a triplet because...

I love sharing a birthday with two people and playing around with people’s minds because we are so identical (laughs). What is interesting is that though we look alike, our personalities are so different.

Future career goal...

I want to be a musician and to one day work in musical theatres. If there was a way, I could do music and therapy to somehow incorporate the two.

Which musician do you admire?

Internationally it is Ildivo — they are a classical group and do exactly what we do. Locally Dan Chizi Aseda — he is very talented.

How do you balance music and books?

You have to be disciplined because they both require attention and dedication. Education is what will help me have vision, but music is so much more to me. If music were taken away from me, I would feel like something was wrong.

I enjoy watching ...

NCIS, Vioja Mahakamani, Desperate Housewives and Vampire Diaries.

Where would you like to go and study after high school?

I would love to study here in Kenya. If I don’t find a place that offers music performance, then I would love to study in America or Canada.

MARTA (LAST TRIPLET)

How would you describe yourself?

I am hardworking, fun and playful. I am the tomboy in the family. In fact, I only have one skirt and I am not really into fashion. I like khaki and army cargo pants.

Which instruments do you play?

I play the trumpet and the euphonium. My favourite is the trumpet because it offers a dynamic range.

What is your favourite subject?

I love psychology, drama and music. They are all equal in my heart.

What do you love about being triplet?

I love the way we spook people. It is interesting the way people react when they realise we are identical.

What is your future career goal?

I hope to have a career in music and psychology. I am not sure yet how they will come together.

Which musician do you admire?

I love Eric Wainaina’s band and the Bobby Derin band. I guess I love bands.

Apart from music...

I love to play volleyball and kati. I am a happy-go-lucky person and I love to laugh and make others laugh too.

What is your favourite television show?

I love shows that deal with music from Idols to The Voice to the Last Choir Standing — I just love music I cannot help myself. I also love to watch Sponge Bob and Star Wars.

How do you balance school and music?

I know how everything just falls into place.

My favourite colour...

I love green. I am just drawn to the colour and obsessed with it.

MARY (ELDEST TRIPLET) AGE: 18 YEARS

Describe yourself in a few words?

I am the leader of the pack. I am talkative, vivacious and adventurous.

What instrument do you play?

I play the clarinet, saxophone and piano. I love to play them all. I, however, enjoy playing the saxophone more because it is linked to contemporary music like jazz.

What is your favourite subject?

I love the combination of music and psychology; I think the two blend well.

What do you love about being part of a triplet?

I love the way no one can believe we are identical; everyone just stares when they first meet us.

What is your career goal?

I want to study music and theatre. I would love to be a soprano opera singer and a concert clarinettist.

How do you think your parents have contributed to who you are?

They have always supported our love for music. Our dad introduced us and taught us music in our earlier years. Our mother has also sacrificed so much. Mum left work for ten years in order to make sure we pursued our dreams and kept up with our hectic schedule. She became our driver and would take us for our different music classes and performances.

Apart from music...

I love to travel, act and to go camping.

How did you feel when your youngest sister was not well?

It was hard for all of us. We missed her. We have always been a quartet, so singing without her was hard. We are glad she is back.

Tell us about your album?

We released our first album In the land of the Lion a 12-track album last year. We put in the different types of music. The album was very versatile, as we love to experiment with different genres. It has everything from pop, gospel to traditional songs.

Future plans...

We are all in Brookhouse School. The three of us will be completing this year. Our younger sister will be finishing in two years. We plan to take a break for a year before joining university and to work on our music.