Simon Lewis

Director, Percussionist and drum maker

With more than 15 years of teaching experience Simon is highly regarded as a teacher of world percussion. He has lived and studied traditional djembe, dundun, balafon and kora in Guinea West Africa with Master drummers Lamine Soumah, Aliou Sylla and the world famous Les Percussions  De Guinea. He is well known for his insightful and innovative teaching style which is both fun and challenging.With a background in classical and jazz his versatility and broad knowledge of music gives  students a unique entry into the world of African drumming.


Simon has performed in Japan, Europe and has performed at Womadelaide, Woodforde and many other major festivals around Australia. Founder and leader of The World Rhythm Ensemble and Zazu Simon is currently performing with many of Melbourne’s most dynamic percussion based ensembles including Wassawumba, Asiko, and The Marabou Project.

Mitzi McRae

Director, Dance Instructor

Mitzi has been studying and performing African dance for over 10 years. She has studied Afro-jazz, Soukouss and West African dance with leading African dancers in Melbourne, and has travelled to West Africa four times to further her experience. Mitzi has travelled to Ghana, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Senegal and The Gambia, where she performed with two ballets and took private classes in dance and percussion. In Melbourne, Mitzi has performed with soukous bands Matata Sound and Vox Congo, West African percussion and dance ensemble Wassawumba , Kassa Dibo, Marabou Project and as a freelance dancer for many percussion groups at festivals, markets, corporate events and performance evenings. Mitzi runs school workshops in African dance and teaches weekly at Melbourne Djembe in Brunswick South .

Mitzi has been hailed as one of Australia’s best non-African female dancers and captures the energy, vitality, joy and strength of the African dance style.

 
 

  • Nathaniel Combs

    DRUMMER & DRUM MAKER

    Nat bought his first djembe at age 15 and since then has loved African drums. He has lived in Guinea where he studied percussion and now skins and plays drums in Australia. Nat currently runs drumming workshops and plays duns for Wassawumba.

  • Bec Mount

    Bec has been part of the African Drum & Dance community for many years, participating extensively in both Drum & Dance classes, camps & performances. Bec can assist you in all of your Melbourne Djembe Drum & Dance queries, along with booking arrangements and promotions.

  • Athena Donohue

    Dance Instructor

    My thirst for West African dance lead me to Africa in 2005 and 2006 where I studied traditional djembe dance with legendary Mariama Camara from Les Ballet Africans, Guinea’s national dance company.

  • Seydou Sow

    Instructor

    A vibrant and captivating dancer, talented drummer and beautiful vocalist, Seydou has recently arrived on Australian shores from Senegal. Showing amazing passion and talent in the performing arts, he has been highly sought after to perform around the country.

  • Justin Bourke

    Drum Maker/Repairs

    Since mid 2007, Justin has learned the crafts of drum making and balafon construction and maintenance. Building, skinning and repairing drums including dun duns, djembes, bongos and congas, Justin has gained experience and knowledge on what makes a great drum.

  • Tjoni Johansen

    Dance Instructor

    Tjoni’s focus is on exploring elements of performance art as a medium for self empowerment, spiritual growth, community development and social awareness, as a performer, director and workshop facilitator.

  • Dan Richardson

    Instructor

    Dan started playing the flute at aged 10. His musical education includes a Certificate in Jazz performance from NMIT, and an improvisation degree from the Victorian Colleg of the Arts.

  • Lamine Sonko

    Dance and Drum instructor

    Born in Senegal, West Africa, to a family of ‘Griots’ - which means ‘Culture Keepers’ - Lamine began to play music when he was 7 years old. “We are the Griots and have the obligation to pass dances, songs, music and stories to generations.”