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Updated 7/25/2024

Akwaaba Ensemble

  • N

    NH

Institution/Business Type: Performing Group

The Akwaaba Traditional African Drum and Dance Ensemble was formed in 2002 by Theo Martey, bringing together a group of friends who have been playing music, drumming and dancing together for many years in Ghana and the United States.The Akwaaba Ensemble's energetic and engaging performances are a reflection of their name, which means 'welcome' in the Twi language of the Ashanti tribe of Ghana. At each performance the Ensemble brings West African "Highlife Music", drumming and dance to vivid life, holding sway with the rich and subtle rhythmic patterns and styles specific to different tribal groups of West Africa. The Ensemble has toured internationally and performed in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Ireland and United Kingdom. During our tours, we taught and gave workshops to students in dozens of schools around the globe, We now resides in Manchester New Hampshire doing residencies in the schools, Drumming and Dancing workshop in the community, collaborating and performing with other musicians.

Find Me

Theo Martey (Him/He/His/Man)
Job Title: Musician and Director
Phone: 603-264-5582
Fax: 978-788-5523
Address:
Manchester, NH 03104

Social Media:

Additional Content:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2002

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2002

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Multi-Disciplinary

Additional Disciplines:

  • Multi-Disciplinary

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Arts and Health
  • Residency - Other
  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Residency - In School
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Residency - Production / Development
  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Residency - Community
  • Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 50

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Immigrant Populations
  • Nonprofits
  • People with Disabilities
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Youth-At-Risk
  • Artists
  • Rural Populations

Languages Available:

  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • State
  • Multi-State Region
  • National
  • International

Accessibility of Services

Accessibility of Services:

  • Access accommodations for people who use a wheelchair and have limited mobility

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire
  • New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
  • New England Foundation for the Arts

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire
  • New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
  • New England Foundation for the Arts

Awards

Awards:

  • New England Dance Fund Grantee/Alum Network 2017 and 2018
  • Theo Martey and The Akwaaba Ensemble won the Best of New Hampshire Magazine NH 2010 Editor's Pick African Beat Award.
  • Theo Martey and The Akwaaba Ensemble has receive numerous grants from the NH State Art Council since 2004 to current, to run Artist in Residency programs in the schools
  • Theo Martey and The shidaa cultural group, placed second during the traditional folk music in Accra art center in Ghana on March 1996.
  • Theo Martey a Award recipient of the 2019 Governor’s Arts Award for Arts Education.
  • Theo Martey was featured on New Hampshire Magazine who’s it for 2019 It list.
  • Theo Martey and The Akwaaba Ensemble won the Best of New Hampshire Magazine NH 2022 Editor's Pick African Beat Award.
  • Appointed as The New Hampshire Ninth Artist Laureate for 2022-2024

Education

Education:

  • Accra Royal High

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - English as a Second Language
  • Arts Integration - Foreign Languages
  • Arts Integration - Health
  • Dance
  • Music

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - English as a Second Language
  • Arts Integration - Foreign Languages
  • Arts Integration - Health
  • Dance
  • Music

State Arts Agency Roster Artist

  • New Hampshire Traditional Arts Roster
  • New Hampshire Education Roster

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • 4 Vocal mics, 6 instruments mics and direct Amplification plug in

Fee Range:

$1,000 - $5,000

State of Residence:

New Hampshire

Minimum Number of Performers:

6

Maximum Number of Performers:

8