Making Music to Empower Women

Joy Rukanzakanza ’19 began her musical journey singing in her school choir in Zimbabwe. She continued to study music at Bryn Mawr. Once she had the opportunity to sing with a full orchestra as part of chorale, she was hooked.

Rukanzakanza—known artistically as JoyRukanza—has spent 2024 performing concerts in Canada, the U.K., Tanzania, and her hometown of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, following the release of her debut album MatterMoreForSis in 2023. The title is a play on the word “metamorphosis,” and the songs weave an emotional journey for its protagonist as she navigates heartbreak, acceptance, and love.

“I wanted to send a message to women everywhere, encouraging them to prioritize their own happiness and needs,” she says, “often overlooked due to societal pressures.”

Her style is rooted in R&B and Pop, but Rukanzakanza’s blend of genres and musical influences make it all her own. While it’s challenging to juggle recording and performing with other commitments—not to mention the pressure to keep innovating—the joy of performing live and hearing from fans of her album keeps Rukanzakanza going.

“It's incredibly rewarding to see people resonate with something I've created,” Rukanzakanza says. “There's nothing quite like the connection that forms between an artist and their audience during a live performance.”

“Music is my passion, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Learn more at joyrukanza.com or follow @joyrukanza