Teodros Makonnen

Born in Addis Ababa to a chief pilot for Ethiopian Airlines, Teodros Mekonnen (Amharic: ቴዎድሮስ መኮንን), professionally known as Teddy Mak, is an Ethiopian composer, arranger, producer, and performer widely credited as a pioneer of Ethiopia's digital music era. Growing up in a household where music captivated the souls the entire family, Teddy Maks proficiency began at the age of eight and to take shape after studied at the Yared School of Music, where he received formal education, before continuing his studies in American jazz at Northern Virginia Community College, marking his entry into the international music environment. Known for his early mastery of electronic sequencing and his historic midnight recording sessions during the military curfew era, he roses to prominence during the 1970s as a teenage keyboardist and arranger for the legendary Wabi Shebelle and Dahlak Band, where he collaborated with iconic figures such as Mulatu Astatke, Aster Aweke, and Alemayehu Eshete as well as among other notable Ethiopian singers.

Music entered Teddy Maks life through his father Captain Makonnen Beri, a chief pilot at Ethiopian Airlines, who brought home a professional Rudi Barzon piano from Germany and hired an Indian teacher to give his older brother, Samuel, and him with professional lessons in keys, harmony, and solfège. While his brother showed little interest, Teddy developed a strong passion, quickly moving beyond structured lessons to self-guided exploration. Exposure to diverse music collections at home, including jazz and global genres, shaped his musical ear. He began composing original melodies early on, relying more on instinct and creativity than formal notation, establishing a foundation for his later artistic identity. Additionally, Teddy has also played a significant role in shaping his brother Derejes musical development. Dereje closely observed Teddys playing and demonstrated natural musical ability, quickly replicating what he learned. Although he had broader technical and creative interests, including building mechanical objects, he eventually became a skilled musician. While Teddy heard saying that his childhood not as "typical," but as "amazing, his brotherly influence served as both inspiration and informal mentorship, contributing to Derejes artistic growth.