Daisuke Iwahara (djembe, ntama)

Percussionist. In 1997, he traveled to the Republic of Mali in West Africa and became a disciple of the Mali National Dance Company. In 1998, he participated in KEN ISHII's recording world tour. He then joined a local group in the Republic of Guinea and performed on various stages. In 2001, he moved to Japan and performed at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Christian Dior fashion show, and other events. In 2014, he traveled to Burkina Faso for a live performance. In 2018, he participated in El Tempo, organized by the Yosuke Konuma Trio and Shishido Kafka. He performed at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Paralympics. He has also appeared at Fuji Rock Fes., SummerSonic, and Untitled Concert.

Official website

Kotetsu (djembe, dundun, balafon, kling)

An African percussionist living in Fuji City. Representative of the djembe group "Africa Fuji". A member of the West African band "Mbore", he also runs djembe workshops. He also sells and repairs djembes.

Mayumi Nagayoshi (balafon, dundun)

He started playing marimba at a young age. He went on to study classical music at the Tokyo College of Music High School and the Percussion Department of Tokyo College of Music. After graduating, he became interested in African percussion and participated in a workshop in Senegal, West Africa. He met sitar player Yoshida Daikichi and became a member of Arayabijana. He has performed at events such as Nagisa and Fuji Rock. He has released two albums. He participated in the album recording of GHOST Bato Masaki and cellist Helena. He performs action readings and recitation plays mainly in Shizuoka Prefecture with stage actor Okuno Koji. He also teaches marimba and performs at schools, facilities, kindergartens, etc.

Yusuke Tsuda (guitar, dundun, ntama)

He is the guitarist of Afro Begue, a neo-African mix band representing Japan, and is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays percussion and bass. After traveling to the Republic of Mali in 2008, he became interested in West African music among many other types of music from around the world. His band Afro Begue has performed at famous Japanese festivals such as Fuji Rock and Tokyo Jazz, and has also had a successful performance in the Republic of Senegal, located in West Africa, and is active both domestically and internationally. When the master musician Mamady Keita from the Republic of Guinea visited Japan, he performed in front of him and was praised. In addition to his own band, he participates in various sessions and has been a percussionist for many years in the Shiki Theatre Company's musical The Lion King.

Satomin Mizoguchi (African dancer)

African dancer and instructor. After encountering African drums on the streets of Bangkok, he was drawn to African dance. He was instantly captivated by the dance that embodies the "joy of living" that gushes from the whole body. Since 2005, he has been holding full-scale retreats (training camps) every year in Japan where people can learn from authentic instructors, and has been working to build an African community in the country. In addition, since 2006, he has been holding study tours to learn dance, rhythm, and culture in Guinea. In 2023, he established the International African Dance & Drum Association (Inc.) and is currently working to widely spread the charm of African dance. He was awarded a letter of appreciation from the Guinean ambassador to Japan for his activities. He is currently based in Shizuoka and is active in a wide range of offline and online activities.

Official website

Wakasa (vocals)

Singer. Born in Ota Ward, Tokyo. Born to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother, she has been aiming to be a singer since she was a child. In 2019, she won the judges' special award at the audition for "Apollo Amateur Night Japan 2019". She appeared as the first Asian "final guest" at the final round Super Top Dog at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY. In 2022, she debuted with the cover album "The Advent of The Soul" featuring top musicians from Trilogic Production. In 2023, she became a US Department of State IVLP Alumni. In 2024, she performed with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2025, she finally released her original album "Be Real" (Japanese). The album features a number of lyricists and composers who have literally led the Japanese music scene, and is completed by arranger and keyboardist Jun Abe and the strongest musicians.

To all workshop participants

*Photographs and videos may be taken during the workshop and may be used in publicity materials, etc.
*Please wear clothes that are easy to move in.
*Please bring drinks to stay hydrated.