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.