Generally, Malawian people are musically oriented but lack the formal institutions where they, especially the youth, can receive professional training in the various diverse aspects of music. As a result, most of our musicians, many who don’t have access to any formal education, are purely self-taught artists.

Music Crossroads Malawi (MCMAL) provides the youth of Malawi with a unique opportunity and platform to realize their full potential and meet experienced and professional musicians who offer practical lessons and professional advice which would otherwise be inaccessible to a majority of Malawian musicians. The program operates in four zones; in the northern, centre, eastern and southern regions of Malawi, where several activities including seminars, lectures and trainings are run. MCMAL’s primary focus is on core festival and workshop activities for young musicians at the local, national and international levels.

The Music Crossroads program was introduced in Malawi in 2000 under the Department of Arts and Crafts in the Ministry of Sports and Culture. Initially, the Department of Arts and Crafts was given the responsibility to oversee its establishment and with the guidance of JMI, did a great job in creating a solid foundation for the program. Until 2007, all activities were coordinated by the Department of Arts and Crafts. Today, MC Malawi has attained independent status as a registered Non Governmental Organization (NGO).