Traditional African Master Drummer
Sharing culture through workshops and performances
CAMP MODZAKA 2023
Friday 29 September 2023 - Saturday 30 September 2023
Camp Modzaka is a three day adventure into drumming and dance set in the beautiful Australian bush. Join us at Badger Creek for a full weekend of workshops with some of Australia's best drummers and dancers (just 1 hour from Melbourne). Price includes accommodation, all activities, and meals. Hosted by Kofi Kunkpe and Kwame Tosuma.
2023 Teachers are: Kofi Kunkpe (Ghana), Kwame Tosuma (Ghana), Bassidi Koné (Mali), Gabriel Simbine (Mozambique), Lee Masiyane (Zimbabwe), Crystal Tan (Australiasia).
Meet your 2023 Camp Modzaka Teachers!
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Camp Modzaka is thrilled to have an incredible and experienced team leading you through this camp. From Mozambique to Ghana, from Mali to Zimbabwe - our team come from array of experience across the globe and can't wait to celebrate their culture with you through Dance, Drumming, Music, traditional instruments and even Yoga!
Music / Balafon Teacher
Bassidi Koné
Bassidi Koné is of Bwa ethnicity and was born into a Griot family in the San region of central Mali. His earliest memories are of growing up beside his father’s primary instrument, the balafon (a gourd-resonated vibraphone), which instilled in him his forefathers’ traditional village songs and rhythms passed down through many generations. Since these early childhood experiences, Bassidi carried on this rich musical heritage and legacy with the greatest of respect through the study of the balafon and barra (gourd drum).
Creative Team Leader / Drumming Teacher
Kofi Kunkpe
@kofikunkpemusic is one half of the creative team that brings you #campmodzaka A master drummer and multi-instrumentalist from Ghana, Kofi is passionate about sharing his culture. Teaching drum and dance across Australia and New Zealand, Kofi brings traditional rhythms, joy, and inspiration to all he encounters.
Dance Teacher
Gabriel Simbine
With 20 years of experience, Gabriel Simbine is an artist from Mozambique who specialises in traditional dance styles and rhythms from Southern African along with Afro-Latino , Zouk, Passada , Pandzula , and more !
Gabriel’s experience includes 10 years at the National dance company of Mozambique. 1 year in at FK Norway in Oslo, 2 years in Kenya Nairobi with the Sarakassi Trust. He spent 5 years as part of Umoja Project, a cultural exchange program between Mozambique, Kenya, Norway, South Africa , Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. Now freelancing in Australia for the last 10 years, Gabriel performs with local Melbourne bands and within cultural groups.
Dance Teacher
Lee Masiyane
We’re beyond excited to welcome Lee Masiyane back to the teaching team for #campmodzaka 2023 Lee is a vibrant and dedicated dance performer, instructor, and Youth worker with 7 years of program facilitating experience.
"I have extensive experience working as a dance teacher with multiple organisations such as @junglecityprojects, Outer Urban Projects, and L2R. I have performed with big name artists such as Sampa The Great, Baker Boy and Jojo Abot to name a few. I look forward to sharing all my experience in dancing with you."
Creative Team Leader/
Dance Teacher
Kwame Tosuma
Kwame Tosuma is one half of the creative team that bring you #campmodzaka.
His mantra in life, teaching, and performing is simple….DANCE-ENERGY-HAPPINESS! Kwame is an internationally recognised dancer and performer, and has worked between Australia and Ghana for over 20 years.
A talented dancer in his own right, Kwame combines his knowledge of traditional West African dance with Afro-contemporary and Afrobeat styles to provide dance experiences that will delight onlookers and participants alike.
Yoga Instructor
Crystal Tan
With all the dancing and drumming you’ll do during #campmodzaka,
you know we’ve got you covered with morning yoga sessions to stretch it all out!!
This year we’re welcoming @crystaltanyoga to the @campmodza family. Crystal Tan teaches an Intuitive Flow Style of Yoga. A blend of energetic flowy vinyasa, but laced with a much softer, invitational, intuitive, inquiry-based embodied movement practice that is meant to guide one back ‘home’.
She guides students into deep listening to their own bodies, embrace imperfections, in order to heal, nurture and even empower ourselves to find a bit of peace in this crazy times we live in.
