African Drumming Teacher Profiles

Simon Fraser — Director / Principal Teacher

Simon has drummed his heart out for three decades. Starting at plastic drum-kits and pots n pans, he's traversed myriad styles and found his passion in West African rhythms. Annual trips to West Africa since the mid 90's have seen him collaborate with some of the regions' great percussionists - from The Senegalese and Malian Ballets to Les Visages des Guinea, Soulamane Kouly's Koteban from Ivory Coast and Ghana's "Salaka". Simon continues to travel to satisfy his thirst for new music and culture and takes students to his second home in Ghana every January for a 4 week intensive. He recently added Bali to his annual Camps

His love and knowledge of rhythm translates to his teaching where he focuses on rapid improvement, honoring tradition and having fun. Check out his band "Ouaga" when in Melbourne - They Rock!

See Simon's Full Bio
See how African Drumming all Started with this short Video

Mady Keita

Mady Keita began his drumming tutelage under the guidance of the legendary Mouriba Keita. From the age of fourteen, Mady studied the traditional rhythms of his people - The Bambara tribe from Mali. Steeped in a heritage of djembe, dun, calabash and song, Mady soon became an active member of local Bamako outfits Ballet Bimba and The Ballet National. He graduated to chief percussionist of "Shemin de Fer" and starred in "Troupe Saura" - a music and theatre production in Bamako. Later Mady began his own Ensemble, "Manding percussion" and continued to work as a renowned freelance percussionist with the likes of Rokia Traore. Mady is a patient and dedicated teacher with a wealth of knowledge of authentic Manding rhythms.

Alena Schneider

A formidable percussionist and natural teacher, Alena graduated from the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts in 2008. Since starting on drumkit at the age of 10, she has fuelled her instrument ADD by branching out into all sorts of classical, mallet and African percussion. She has a passion for educating young (and young at heart) minds on the culture, music, song and dance for which Africa is renowned. 

Alena has taken two extended tours to Ghana where she has played and studied with renowned members of cultural group "Salaka". She hopes to one day own a two storey house where the top floor is completely dedicated to drums.

Shabba

Shabba is a professional dancer from Ghana, whose styles include Traditional, Contemporary, Comedy, Acrobatics, RnB and Hip Hop. He was a member of both Asanti Dance Theatre and African Footprints in Ghana and has performed and facilitated workshops in African dance throughout Europe.

Now based in Australia, Shabba brings a character and energy to his teaching that is infectious to his audience. He specialises in school and community workshops and has gained an excellent reputation working with children. A rare character with more energy than you could imagine!

Jeremy Prentice

Answering the call in late 2006, Jeremy has been following the djembe path ever since. With a deep respect for the spirit and traditions of djembe, he continues his journey with some of the best teachers in Melbourne, primarily Mady Keita, Simon Fraser and Simon Lewis. Spending over two years leading Purple Dog Rhythms, Jeremy gained invaluable insight in directing a drumming ensemble, coupled with some broad experience in performing.

His strong passion for sharing the heart of djembe, a love of teaching, and a willingness to always learn more combine to create a class that is as challenging as it is rewarding.

Nii Bortey

Born and raised in Nungua, Accra,  Ghana, Nii Bortey is a talented and charismatic percussionist. Like many African performance artists, Nii grew up surrounded by music, and has been drumming ever since he could hold a stick!

A popular member of the electic and experienced African Drumming team, Nii has a passion for sharing the culture, music, song and dance of West African culture. He regularly runs African Drumming school sessions and programmes, drumming parties and uplifting workshops

Julius Bright Sackey

Born and raised in Cape Coast, Ghana, Sackey started dancing at a very young with "Work Dancers" where he specialised in hip hop and free style dance. After two years he joined a traditional African group and found his way to " Agoro Theatre Company" , before co- forming " Asanti Dance Theatre" where he was the assistant artistic director.

Sackey has since travelled to the UK with several Ghanaian dance theatres performing and teaching traditional and contemporary dance styles. Now based in Melbourne, he continues to delight audiences with his expansive dance styles.

Djulz Chambers

Djulz began studying and performing West African percussion in Melbourne several years ago. Since experiencing her first attraction to the dynamic energy of percussion ensembles she has travelled throughout West Africa extensively, studying with master drummers and musicians in Mali, Ghana and Burkina Faso. Based in Melbourne, Djulz continues to study and perform with some of Melbourne’s most renown artists in the field including Mady Keita, Bouba Gaye, Sayon Souare and Simon Fraser. Her great love of the djembe and of African culture exudes an infectious energy and creates a fun learning environment in her classes.

Appiah

Ghanaian born drummer and dancer, Appiah, respects the diverse culture of Africa and represents the beauty of Ghana with his telling dance style. He performs with precision, skill and high energy which creates a joyful and exciting experience within his classroom. With a strong history of teaching and performance across Europe & Oz, Appiah specialises in African drum and dance, afro hip hop, freestyle, afro contemporary and afro aerobics.

Ben Coleman

Ben fell head first into West African drumming several years ago and has kept up his passion ever since by playing and studying with the likes of Master Guinean Djembefola Aliou Sylla, and Simon Fraser and Simon Lewis. Ben's spirit is uplifting and infectious and his classes are always packed with good vibes.

 

Bruno De Moura Floriano — Treinel Of Capoeira Angola

Bruno - ‘Gingadinha’ as he is known in the world of Capoeira – began Capoeira in 1990 with Mestre Celso da Rainha in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After completing 10 years of training, Bruno graduated as a Teacher of Capoeira and n 2007 he received the title of Treinel from Mestre Mano. Gingadinha’s methodology of teaching Capoeira is through Capoeria Angola. Gingadinha brings not only a highly energetic and dedicated approach to Capoeria, but the positive vibe of the Brazilian people; specifically the Afro-Brazilian culture.

Gingadinha also performs various music and dances related to Capoeira, such as Maculele and Samba de Roda, and is a creative artisan of all things Capoeira, for example, making and painting Berimbaus......."Capoeira da vida!’
Check out Bruno on YouTube

Boubacar Gaye

In Senegal, at the budding age of 14, inspired by the musical mentors around him, Bouba laid his hand to the skin of the drum. As a member of the infamous Mama Afrika and under the guidance of ballet professor Joseph-Raphael Bouschanzl, Bouba's skills and passion grew quickly and soon he was also a member of the renowned Foret Sacre Ballet. In 1997 Bouba ventured into Europe and then onto Japan where he established himself as one of the leading African percussionists. . With an energy and peace of mind that resonates from deep within - Bouba speaks 1000 words with his drum.

Kosta Michalopoulos

Kosta started his drumming journey in 2005 and ever since West African music and culture has become part of his life. He was an invaluable member of performance groups such as Purpledog Rhythms and Jakmani, and he currently performs with Wassawumba. He has studied under some of the best teachers in Melbourne such as Mady Keita, Boubacar Gaye, Sayon Souare, Simon Fraser and Simon Lewis. Kosta is a very dedicated and patient teacher with a renowned love for the djembe.

Nicole Lewis

Nicole started classical training in music early, playing flute in concert bands and later for the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra. The switch to percussion began slowly with the purchase of the first djembe at Bondi Beach in the early nineties and from there the addiction took hold.Back in Bendigo now with her husband and two children Nicole travels to visiting teachers workshops, such as Paa Brown, King Marong, Lamine Sonko and currently studies djembe weekly with Simon Fraser.

Peter Lee

Pete has been involved in the Melbourne music scene as a drummer/percussionist for many years, working with many different artists. He is now focussing on teaching and performing West African percussion on the Mornington Peninsula. Classes for all levels are held weekly in Balnarring and a new class has now started in Mornington. Pete's student groups always impress at our regular TRIBALISM events.

Sayon Souare

Sayon dedicated his passion and talent to the traditional African arts of music and dance from a very young age in Guinea. As his parents are both accomplished performers themselves he studied djembe and dun with local masters from a young age beofore venturing into Bolon – a traditional hunter’s harp. Sayon’s gift for dance and choreography as well as music and song led to years spent with several ballet companies in Senegal, Guinea and Gambia. He was then sought by Ballet African (Gambia) for his skills in arranging music and choreography. Now based in rural Victoria, Sayon Souare is simply sensational!

Dane Stammers

Dane's love affair with all things rhythmic began when he
purchased a terracotta drum from Fez medina. His infatuation with the culture and vitality of West Africa took him on a third intensive tour of the
region, studying in the Cape Coast of Ghana.
Back in Oz,Dane has enjoyed playing in various world electronica outfits and learning with teachers Ben Coleman, Simon Fraser and Eden Cosmas. His classes are about having fun, turning off the mind and experiencing the healing power of rhythm!