“Magical & Compelling!”
These are the words used to describe this enchanted artist! Whether performing alone or with others Fatu’s presence fills the stage and commands the audience to listen! A master of indigenous and African songs and chants, Fatu woos the audience with her rich, rustic vocals and opens the doors to one’s heart, mind and spirit. Her spirit is in her drumming! Her hands moving, sometimes faster than the eye can follow, Fatu drums the rhythms of Spirit, calls the names of the ancestors, and draws in healing for all to experience.
Studies In Traditional West African Music
Fatu began her drumming and dance studies in 1987 with Wyoma and the Damballah Dance Company in Boulder, Colorado. She focused on drumming and quickly mastered a variety of traditional African based music. Highlights of her studies include the study of Afro-Brazilian and Latin music at the Swallow Hill Music School in Denver (1990-1992), the traditional rhythms of Ghana at the Naropa University Summer Institute in 1992 and 1994 and with C.K. Ganyo during private settings with the Harambee Dancers at the University of Colorado (1996-1998).
Fatu has aso studied the Orisha Music of the Yoruba Spiritual tradition of Ifa since 1990 and is becoming an accomplished Okpon (lead singer) in this tradition. Her Cd: Orisha Music for Beginners and accompanying Booklet appears on the tune widget on our music page.
Fatu’s love of African music and culture has taken her to Africa twice to study with Master Dancer Marie Basse-Wiles in Senegal and Master Drummer Abdoul Doumbia in Mali. While Fatu has studied with many Master Drummers from the Continent including Malik Sow, Malong Bayo Djakete and others , she considers her primary djembe teachers to be Master Drummers Abdoul Doumbia and Bikaye Kouyate of Mali.
Alternative Performances
Fatu demonstrates versatility and diversity in her appreciation of all music. She has appeared with the Denver Concert Band, Denver Harmony Chorus, and with the Denver Women’s Chorus and Symphony in their production of Orobourus. She has also appeared with the Denver Spirituals Project during their 2010-2011 season.
Classes and Workshops.
Fatu is a gifted drum and vocal teacher. She has taught at such institutions as Denver Metro State College, Naropa Institute’s Continuing Education program, Camp Telluride Camp for Gifted and Talented Youth from around the World and Cleo Parker-Robinson School of Dance. Fatu conducts ongoing classes in drumming, singing and ritual in the Colorado Front Range area. She travels throughout the United States sharing and teaching the art of traditional West African Drumming, movement, singing, and the spirituality of sound and music.
Education
Fatu is a graduate of Nebraska College of Business (Omaha, Nebraska) with an Associate Degree in Marketing Management and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Fatu is a student of life and culture and enjoys learning about different cultures as wells as sharing her own.
