Batuki Music Society West African Instrument Workshops
Saturday November 15, 2025
Learn to play the Balafon or Talking Drum Workshops – All ages and levels welcome
Location: It’s Ok Studio, 468 Queen St. W. Toronto
Cost: 1 workshop $20 or both workshops $35
Register/Tickets Online: https://Workshops15NOV25.eventbrite.ca
Info: batukimusic@yahoo.com
1:00 – 2:30 Adama Daou Balafon Workshop – $20
Balafon and sticks included in the workshop fee
A Malian musician from the city of Mopti, Adama Daou developed his skills in African percussion (djembe, doun-doun, calabash and balafon) by participating in traditional ceremonies during his childhood and through his training at the National Institute of Arts in Bamako. Based in Montreal since 2011, Adama Daou is constantly guided by a strong desire to introduce Malian percussions to the public while creating musical projects, performing, developing workshops, and participating to the development of sociocultural actions based on music. In addition to touring across Europe, Canada and the United States, Adama regularly hosts African percussion, dance classes and workshops. Adama played balafon on two songs with Okavango African Orchestra’s 2025 Canadian Folk Music Global Award album, Migration.
3:00 – 4:30 Pape Ndiaye Tama Talking Drum Workshop – $20
Tama drum included in the workshop fee
Pape Ndiaye is an exceptional tama (talking drum) player, one of the emblematic instruments of Senegalese traditional and modern music. He was a percussionist for the Orchestre National de Senegal, one of the most prestigious orchestras attached to the Ministry of Culture. He is a regular performer with Zale Seck, an emblematic figure of Senegalese music based in Montreal. Master of the tama, Pape has performed in special projects for Batuki Music, including with the pan-African group Okavango African Orchestra and Senegalese ensemble, Coup de Coeur.
Batuki Music gratefully acknowledges the support of Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Heritage and CIUT 89.5 FM.
