Kusun Gboo Prepares For Another Tour

The Kusun Ensemble has over the past several months been making a name for itself with a number of performances and workshops throughout the United States.

According to Nii Tettey Tetteh, Artistic Director of the group, who is currently in Accra for the annual Kusun Study Tour, the group has performed to keen audiences in Kentucky, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New York, North/South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, California, Indiana and Maryland.

Cultural festivals that have hosted the group include the Florida Folk Festival, Baltimore International Festival, Chicago World Music Festival, Festival International de Louisiane and the Lotus Music Festival.

?Nii Tetteh said that interest in Ghanaian traditional music and dance is growing in the United States adding that workshops by the group were highly patronized with children exhibiting extreme curiosity.

He said Kusun Ensemble has trained a number of Americans from all backgrounds in African drumming and dance through several workshops that intersperse performances while exposing others to African food and traditions.

Formed several years ago, Kusun Ensemble has four albums to its credit. It has also participated in several international festivals in Europe and Australia.

Each year, the group hosts a number of dance and music students from Australia, Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom for several weeks of dance and music lessons.

Dubbed Kusun Study Tour, participants are also introduced to both theoretical and practical aspects of diverse Ghanaian traditions and culture.

The performance tour of the United States, which begun in March will end in October 2005.