Hi, we are Ben and Sophie, the founders of Djembe Alchemy.  When we moved to Lake Macquarie, we found a lack of the style of drumming and dance that we had been experiencing and enjoying elsewhere.  We tried other drum and dance activities but found nothing really nurtures the soul in the same way as African drumming and dance.  We want a lifestyle, an active, supportive community here at Lake Macquarie and Hunter generally, like what we’ve seen elsewhere, a community that supports each other, transcends perceived boundaries, that gathers for fun, exercise and a bit of a challenge, without the need for substances.  That joins together in the rhythm and celebration of life with respect for all cultures and the leaders that have gone before us.

As long-term students of African drumming and dance under our profoundly talented and appreciated teacher, African griot Master drummer Mohamed Bangoura, we decided that we would have to be the ones to build the community that we craved, and hence Djembe Alchemy was born.  It was manifested to create change and build community, to be mindful, create connection, and find joy through rhythm and movement.

We are lucky and blessed to have had regular access to and support from some very special teachers, none quite so skillful, inspiring and I have to say modest as Mohamed.  He is a library of knowledge on West African rhythm and a great teacher, and we are so profoundly thankful to have experienced his teachings and friendship for many years.  It has brought much fun and joy to our lives and gave us tools, skills and rhythms to pass onto our students and community here at Lake Macquarie.  We are so grateful for the cultural openness we see in West Africans and the support of our teachers in sharing it with others, allowing us to do what we do and share it with you.

I could talk about our experience and study tours in Africa but at the end of the day we are just students of African drumming and dance, forever learning, forever developing.  We don’t claim to be Masters or experts, we are simply students, like you, that are perhaps further along the path and want to share it with others.