The Music

The internationally acclaimed Ensemble presents a complete and unique experience of a cappella harmonies and traditional West African percussive rhythms. They are a vivacious, all women 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 1989.

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, 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. Adua Tacheampong (Musical Director) is Nana's doughter and entered the group at the tender age of seven. She is a singer, drummer, and excellent harmonizer. Zakiyyah Rashed (Public Relations Coordinator) is a percussionist, dancer, songwriter, professional poet, and accomplished artist. She entered the group at age five. Anjail Abdul-Badee is a dancer, flutist, and singer. Akosua Nyo Agyiriwah has studied ballet, jazz, modern and African dances, is a percussionist and singer.

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 trilling 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.

This is what we do….

•  Perform traditional African songs, gospel, message music and jazz in 3 to 5 part harmony.

•  Play traditional African percussion instruments such as the Sekere (Shay-ka-ray, Beaded Gourd) Sakara, and Sangba drums and the Agogo bell.

•  Give educational workshops on making and playing the percussion instruments we use in our performances.

•  Present cultural enrichment workshops for students, teachers, staff, and professionals who want to learn and teach West African traditional music, customs, and traditions in their schools.