A master drummer from Ghana arrives in Bermuda tomorrow to conduct workshops with the Bermuda African Dance Company.

Coordinator Dawn Broadbelt says that Kwazi Dunyo, who is currently teaching African dance at the University of Toronto, will spend nine weeks on the Island. "The workshops are to help raise standards of dance and drumming to a level that Bermuda can be proud of and that will enable our members to compete on an international level.'' One of the perhaps unexpected results of his stay in Toronto, she adds, has been the participation of many white students in his classes. "They love it!'' Along with dance and drumming, he will also teach African folklore, chanting and costume making. During his visit here, Mr. Dunyo will visit some of the Island's schools, rest homes and Agape House.

Born in the Volta region of Ghana, Mr. Dunyo has been playing drums from a very early age. He became lead drummer for the Sankofa Dance Theatre from 1977 to 1981 and in 1992, was the recipient of a visiting foreign artist grant from the Canadian government. He also served for four years on the faculty of the University of Virginia as a lecturer in the `African Music Performance' course. Since September of this year, he has been teaching the African Drumming course at the University of Toronto's `World Music Ensembles' programme.

Given the `Outstanding Traditional Performance' award from the Toronto African Awards he was also keynote speaker in Halifax for the opening of African Heritage Month. For the past two years he has performed in Toronto's New Year's Eve celebration, First Night.

The Bermuda African Dance Company consists of around 20 adults, ten senior and 20 junior students. In addition to Mr. Dunyo's work with the company, open classes will also be offered to the general public. These will be held on December 6, 13, 20 and 27 at $10 per hour at the CedarBridge Dance Studio from 4 to 6 p.m. Drumming will be held at 4 p.m., followed by Dance at 5 p.m.

Registration for these classes will be held tomorrow, November 21 in the CedarBridge Academy Lobby between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Ms Broadbelt is looking for interested males of all ages to take dance lessons with Kawasi Dunyo. For further information please contact her at 238-2645 after 7 p.m.

The company will also be hosting a free drumming session with Mr. Dunyo on Sunday, November 22, at Admiralty House from 3 p.m. onwards. In the event of bad weather, the session will take place at the Bermuda African Dance Company Studio on the corner of Shelton and Happy Valley Roads.

MASTER DRUMMER -- The poster advertising the classes for African drummer Kwazi Dunyo.