WONGAI is a Perth based West African Style Drum & Percussion group founded by Freddy Poncin, his students and musician friends. 

WONGAI means “Let’s go/ let's start” in SOUSOU which is one of the languages spoken in Guinea, West Africa. The group plays traditional danceable rhythms from West Africa using Djembe, Doundoun, Sangban, Kenkeni, Kenken Bells, Balaphon, Shekere, Congas and more.  We are all inspired by traditional Guinean Rhythms and Mohamed Bangoura alias Bangourake, Master Drummer from Guinea West Africa!


Founder Freddy Poncin is one of Australia's leading hand percussionists in Australia according to "Drum Scene Magazine", he is a drum teacher at the Drumshop’s Drum Academy, works occasionally at WAAPA, is a facilitator and team member of Drum Cafe which is a company specialised in Team building through the use of African drums. Freddy conducts djembe and conga drum workshops throughout Perth. Over the last decade listening to Master Drummers like Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate inspired Freddy to develop a healthy addiction to the Rhythms from Guinea. Freddy studied in Guinea with Master Drummer Mohamed Bangoura who has appointed Freddy as his representative worldwide and instructor in traditional djembe drumming in WA.



"Grand Master of Djembe Mamady Keita and Freddy Poncin meeting in Conakry Guinea"

Other members are professional percussionists Despina Prastides and Stacy Borich who are both bachelors of Music degree of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts and former members of WAAPA's award winning percussion group "Defying Gravity.  Djembe instructor Hiroshi Sugahari, Naomi Sugahari, Katrin Hoffman, Jason Dallman, Gen Motohiro Wada , Brad Mercer, Pascal Hanrion and Yasuo Karaki (Fantastic Didgeridoo player/teacher) all complete WONGAI !


 

More info will follow soon!