On Saturday, Dec. 14th, 2024, Mojo-Rimba, a non-profit marimba group, performed at the band boosters car show. They played for an hour from 10-11 a.m., performing various songs, including Christmas classics, 2000s pop hits, and 90s-2000s rock hits, captivating the audience throughout the entire hour they played and receiving cheers from everyone at the car show after each song.
Mojo-Rimba was started in 2010 by Bonnie Anderson, a music teacher at Miller’s Point Elementary. Anderson was struck with inspiration at the Texas Music Educators Association convention (TMEA) while watching Walt Hampton, a music teacher at Washington State University who brought his students to perform at TMEA.
Anderson was extremely impressed by their performance.“They did such an amazing job on all the songs that they played that I thought to myself, ‘If he can get kids to do that, so can I right?’” Anderson stated.
After the performance, Anderson bought two marimbas at the convention, and eventually acquired more marimbas with the help of fundraising. However, the group hadn’t fully formed until Anderson was approached by one of her fifth grade students, who is also still in the group to this day as the drummer.
“I had a kid say, ‘I don’t want to stop after fifth grade,’ so I made a middle school group.” stated Anderson.
Originally, the group was called OKOAP, which stood for “one kid on a part,” because there were initially only five kids in the group, one on each music part, but as the group progressed and grew bigger, it became Mojo-Rimba.
Anderson offers classes for younger kids as part of the music program at Miller’s Point Elementary. As students’ music capabilities grow from grade to grade, the classes and music become increasingly harder. Before the students are able to be part of Mojo-Rimba, they have to be in a middle school marimba group, where Anderson trains them and invests in the students and their ability.
““I invite kids who are good enough to come play with Mojo-Rimba,” Anderson explained. “[When] they are ready and we have openings, I invite them to join Mojo-Rimba.”
Anderson teaches the students not only music, but skills they will need their entire life.
“I’ve learned to not be nervous while performing and how to talk to people. This program has influenced my talent and made me want to play marimba in high school,” said sophomore Ezra Urdiales.
The students also learn discipline as being part of the group. Anderson creates a strong message for the students in her group.
“It broadens their vision for their future when they see that people are donating large amounts of money just to see them play. It helps them picture themselves in a more successful place in life,” Anderson explained.
The group strives to benefit the community by playing at different non-profit organization fundraisers, helping them raise money, and raising money themselves. Mojo-Rimba values families as well. The families of the students are the backbone of the group, helping them become successful from the sidelines.
“I don’t just choose talented players, I try to choose families that are willing to be invested in the success of the group,” Anderson states. “Mojo-Rimba is a program for families, and it’s a program where we try to create a family.”
Since the start of the group, Mojo-Rimba has played at a plethora of places, from going full circle playing at TMEA, to exclusive places such as the Capitol Rotunda, which is connected to the Senate building. They regularly play for the Texas Cavaliers, the Witte Museum and at the Botanical Gardens Fiesta events. Mojo-Rimba has even performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and auditioned for America’s Got Talent.
The group has worked their way to success with the help of Anderson. Her strong dedication to helping these students become the best musicians they can be has ensured the prosperous future of Mojo-Rimba for years to come.