Our Story: Every Note Counts
The Marimba Workshop was founded in 2004 by Ian and Joan Lithgow. From humble beginnings, the marimbas were originally crafted by hand by Ian, who is a meticulous woodworker. Joan with her impressive music qualifications in music education, African languages and ethnomusicology, together with over 30 years of teaching experience (with more than 20 of them teaching marimbas in the classroom), facilitated teacher training workshops around South Africa.
The company has grown to include a small team that now manages the building of the instruments in a factory under the watchful eye of Ian.
While Joan continues to facilitate workshops for the Marimba Workshop she also works for the NPO Education Africa who are committed to using marimba instruments as intervention tools for social and educational change throughout South Africa. The Marimba Workshop continues to maintain its “small-business family feel” with their children, Bradley and Amy-Sue working for the company in various roles. This family connection ensures you (the customer) will always get the personal and caring touch when purchasing one of our products and in so doing becoming part of the wider Marimba Workshop Family.
The Marimba Workshop prides itself in being one of the few marimba manufacturing companies that puts music and marimba education at the forefront of what we stand for! We are committed to furthering the marimba instruments reach as one of the most effective musical tools for holistic personal and community development.
We look forward to welcoming you into The Marimba Workshop Family!
