A native of Nairobi, Kenya, Duncan is currently on the faculty at Kenyatta University’s
Department of Music and Dance in Nairobi, as Lecturer. He also serves as Organist /Choir
Director at St Andrews’ Presbyterian Church, Nairobi. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
in Music (Organ Performance) from Augustana University College, in Alberta, Canada,
(1999), a Master of Music (Choral Conducting) from the University of Alberta (2003), and a
PhD in Music Education from the School of Music at the University of Florida (2012).
While in Canada, he was the Chapel Organ Scholar at Augustana University College, Assistant
Conductor for the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus, Choral Assistant for the Richard
Eaton Singers in Edmonton as well as a member of University of Alberta Madrigal Singers
and the professional chorus PROCORO Canada. In Florida, he was the Founder/Director of
the first ever University of Florida Africa Choir Pazeni Sauti, started in September 2009.
Duncan has served as an Adjudicator for the annual Kenya Music Festival (Nationals), and
Choral Festival Alberta (North & South), Canada; Conductor for the Nairobi Orchestra,
Kenya Conservatoire of Music Orchestra, Nairobi Music Society and Kampala Symphony and
Chorus; Clinician/ Facilitator for the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (Kenya),
Kenya Music Festival Foundation and Resource Person (Music) for the All Africa Conference
of Churches. In 2008, he was selected to be the Vocal Coach for the reality show IDOLS Eastern and Southern Africa. In 2011, he was appointed as Music Director for the Safaricom
Classical Fusion Festival, which featured among others the world re-known vocal groups
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Kenya’s own Sauti Sol. He has written and presented several
papers on various aspects of performance of African (Art) Music and Music Education in
national and International music conferences and workshops. His PhD thesis explored the
rationale for the use of Kenyan Choral Art Music in the high school music curriculum in
Kenya
Duncan has received various awards including Augustana University Charles K Noble Award
and Onesimus Award, the University of Florida Alec Courtelis Award, University of Florida
College of Fine Arts International Student Outstanding Achievement Award, Florida Higher
Education Arts Network Advocacy Award, the University of Alberta Horizon Award and
Kenyatta University Extra Mile Award.
Since his return to Kenya in 2013, Duncan was appointed the Music Director of the
Safaricom Youth Orchestra (SYO), founded in May 2014; Trustee of Art Of Music Foundation
which runs the Ghetto Classics and National Youth Orchestra of Kenya (KNYO) programs;
member of the Kenya Music and Cultural Festival (KM&CF) Committee; facilitator for the
Permanent Presidential Music Commission Talent Academies held in various counties
across the country, active presenter at various conferences and workshops locally and
internationally, and conducts the Nairobi Orchestra, KNYO and SYO in various concerts. All
the while, he continues to be on the faculty at Kenyatta University’s Music Department.