Voices Of Africa

NEW FRONTIER

VOA has now become an "African Cultural Arts Collective" that works with a variety of committed African Cultural Artist from around the Diaspora.


DESCRIPTION

VOA as an organization , has been around some 25 years. We have traveled the continental expanse of the USA; appeared in Canada, Jamaica, London, Hawaii, and Ghana. VOA started out as a children's ensemble. VOA has now become an "African Cultural Arts Collective" that works with a variety of committed African Cultural Artist from around the Diaspora. Many of these artists are actively involved in the arts through dance, singing or drumming and lend their time to VOA to give it the professionalism, style and power that comes from well seasoned artists in the field. VOA is exploring its expansion and enjoying the new faces; the new energy; the new excitement and has over the past year been demonstrating this to our audiences nationwide. And while we are not primarily an All Women's Ensemble anymore, we are able to gather up enough women to do a presentation when that is requested. VOA shares the power and joy of its music, which spans the African Diaspora, through traditional African and African American songs, message music, gospel, inspirational and healing percussion rhythms.

INFLUENCE

We Also Like Sweet Honey in the Rock, Women of the Calabash, Baba Tunde Olutunji, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Website: http://www.voicesofafrica.net/Homepage.html

Contact Information

 "Voices Of Africa"

Choral & Percussion Ensemble

104 Weymouth Road, Darby, PA 19023

 215-550-3337(office)

  

 BIOGRAPHY

     THE MUSIC

This internationally acclaimed Ensemble presents a complete and unique experience of a cappella harmonies and traditional West African percussive rhythms. They are a vivacious, performing arts ensemble and have performed to standing ovations at the Women & Earth Conference, Ghana, West Africa, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., the National Women's Music Festival and many other venues throughout the country and abroad. The “Voices Of Africa,” share the joy of their music, which spans the African Diaspora, through traditional African and African-American songs, message music, gospel and inspirational percussive rhythms. They have been together since 1990. 

     THE INSTRUMENTS

The traditional West African percussion instruments the Ensemble plays are; Sakara (sah’ kah rah), hand held frame drums; the Sekere (shay’ ka ray), beaded gourds; agogo (ah goe goe), double headed bells, and Sangba drums found in Ghana and Nigeria. The  instruments we play are the Sekere (Shay-ka-ray), Sakara  (Saa-ka-ra) and Sangba drums and Agogo (ah-go-go double headed bells) and djembe drums.  Our music spans the African Diaspora and brings a powerful message about our culture and tradition as African descendant women who dare to play drums.  See the Testimonies!!!!!     We are available to bring our culturally rich entertainment to your place of business, school, church, university, community center social and/or cultural programs.

      THE ENSEMBLE

Nana Baakan Agyiriwah (Founder and Managing Director) has been singing, dancing, acting and performing since her youth. She is a choreographer, educator, percussionist and lyricist. Featured artists are: Adwoa Tacheampong, Pioneer. An accomplished singer, dancer & percussionist who plays several West African and Brazilian instruments. Jan Jeffries, Rhythm Speaker, percussionist, dancer and performing artist since age 4, has traveled extensively around the world, Anssumane Silla, has danced professionally for over 18 years with the National Ballet of Guinea Bissau. He is very excited to teach the traditional and contemporary dance style from Guinea Bissau; Zumbi Soweto, Angela Watson, is a keeper of traditional African folklore, has been performing, teaching, and studying African arts since 1989 & founder of Camara Arts; & Shakia Easter, Percussionist. Past Artists: Kimberly Logan, Amina Uqdah, Thea Bashful, Lela Jones, Zakiyyah McKelven, Adrienne Hall, Gina Ferrara & Chuckie Joseph.

     THE CONCERT PROGRAM

“When we perform the spirit may starts moving,” says Nana Agyiriwah. There is no predicting what will happen when the Ensemble takes the stage You are assured of a thrilling and engaging presentation of soul-stirring and uplifting music. The Ensemble stresses that in traditional African Society, everyone actively participates in the making of music. It is not just entertainment but interaction between musician and the community. A proverb from Zimbabwe states: “If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing.” This openly invites everyone. Feel free to dance, clap and enjoy the powerful music of the "Voices Of Africa."

Drum Is the Ear of God: Africa's Inner World of Music

 

   DECACS, Inc., a non for profit organization, is the parent organization of The "Voices Of Africa" Choral Ensemble.  We continue to reach out to others who are less fortunate year round.  And especially to our seniors, and young children in schools around our country and the world.  All too often these populations are not able to participate in fine cultural enrichment programming that we offer due to financial constraints.  Please feel free to send a tax deductible contribution throughout the year.  This contribution will go towards affording these communities the much need opportunity to experience cultural enrichment through our programs.       

     You may make your contribution on line through or drop your contribution in the mail.   Many wondrous thanks go out to all of our supports and we pray that you continue to support us for the many years to come.