Artistic Bio 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 Col-lective" 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.

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: “We are Women & We Play Drums.” 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, DjunDjun and Sangba drums found in Ghana and Nigeria.

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 ac-complished 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 pro-fessionally 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. 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 inter-action 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."

The Testimonials “What a wonderful performance you gave at our school yesterday! The feedback from the students and faculty was fabulous. I truly believe your show was one of the best assemblies we have had at the Delaware Valley Regional High School………..” Cheryl Copeland, Social Worker.

"A heart altering experience of rich harmonies and blood boiling rhythm, “Voices of Africa” inspired a five minute standing ovation in a perform-

ance that ranks among the most brilliant I have seen in ten years of concert production." Kelly Conway, Day Stage Producer, National Women's Music Festival “Thank you…….. I especially love the part about the different tones in the instruments as similar to different "tones" in people - even though each is different the blend, interaction and harmony of all, combine to produce beautiful melodies. Hopefully your programs will continue to inspire young people of all colors that there is something to be gained by letting the music and rhythm take over us - if only for a few moments. Teach them to find their own tone and to listen for the tones of others.” Susan Finger, MTSU

For a detailed group bio please visit: http://www.voicesofafrica.net/Bio.html www.voicesofafrica.net/Homepage.html info@voicesofafrica.net

Choral & Percussion Ensemble