Dereje Tamirat

Dereje Tamirat is an Ethiopian musician, music educator, and cultural preservation advocate. He is the founder of the [[Dereje Cultural Music Initiative]], which focuses on preserving Ethiopian ethnic music and blending it with modern styles. He has performed with several bands in Addis Ababa, including his own group, ''Afro Groove'', and has collaborated with international musicians through the Global Music Campus. Dereje performs on the bass guitar with Ethiopia/Tanzania/Uganda Jinja-road https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oCEt07ZvFw 

== Early life and education ==
Dereje grew up in Ethiopia, where he developed a strong passion for music, particularly the bass guitar. His interest later expanded into research on Ethiopia’s ethnic music traditions, including the music of the Ale tribe in southern Ethiopia.

== Career ==
Dereje has performed with multiple Ethiopian bands and at cultural events. He was a member of ''Afro Groove'', a band that fused Ethiopian music with global influences. Afro Groove Interview and performance on EBS TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs4Ah049Rj8

In addition to his performance career, Dereje is an active '''music educator'''. He teaches at Jazz Amba School of Music and Pharo Foundation and has volunteered with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, where he trained youth music band members in music theory, vocal techniques, and instrumental performance.

He also worked as a television program host and organizer on Nahoo TV’s New Year holiday special. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo3HEu80uss 

== Cultural preservation and projects ==
Dereje is dedicated to documenting, preserving, and modernizing traditional Ethiopian music. His ongoing projects include:
* Research and documentation of Ale tribe music and instruments, including the traditional ''Fila''.
* Development of educational and media content to promote Ethiopian music.
* A planned '''fusion album''' inspired by Ethiopian ethnic traditions.

He also co-founded '''Vision Destiny Investment (VDI)''', a company focused on entertainment, media, and communication, including music projects, event planning, documentaries, and youth-oriented productions.

== Recognition ==
Dereje has been featured in ''Poze Magazine'', highlighting his contributions to Ethiopian music and cultural preservation. https://online.flipbuilder.com/yisv/zglx/#p=48