The Boite Akoma Program

– PRESENTS –

AKOMA The Heart

– SONGS AND STORIES OF GHANA –

THE BOÎTE SCHOOLS CHORUS 2026 Saturday 1 August

MOUNT CLEAR COLLEGE, B A L L A R AT, 1 P M

Tuesday 11 August

MELBOURNE TOWN HALL 1PM AND 7PM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Boîte acknowledges the Traditional custodians of the many lands throughout Victoria where our artists perform. The Boîte especially acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations on whose land The Boîte operates at Abbotsford Convent.

We honour and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Mishael Gyabeng

CHOIR SECTION LEADER Bonnie Prenc

CHOIR DIRECTOR Stella Savy

PUPPETRY Louis Deeks and Kwame Gyabeng

HOUSE BAND Master Drummer Kofi Kunkpe

TRANSCRIPTIONS Wayne Parker

Drummer/Dancer Appiah Annan

ARTWORK Africaba (Ghana) PRINTING Pressroom Philanthropy

BOÎTE STAFF Boîte Director Dale Packard

Portfolio Project Manager Juan Pablo Salebe Rico

Boîte Schools Chorus Project Manager Rebecca James

Operations Manager Leah Healy

Programs Manager Therese Virtue OAM

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

BOÎTE COMMIT TEE 2026

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Chairperson Amanda Stone

Treasurer Arseny Matveev

Secretary Joanne Kuluveovski

Members Lilliana Hajncl, Ramnath Iyer, Natasha L’Aimable and Ashok Mysore

The Boîte is Victoria's iconic multicultural music organisation, creating opportunities for culturally diverse music to contribute to a richer, more inclusive Australia. Founded in 1979, it supports artists from diverse communities, promoting cultural understanding through the dynamic presentation of unique musical experiences, and nurtures creativity, collaboration, access to and active participation in the arts.

A symbol of patience and tolerance, when a person is said to

“have a heart in their stomach,” that person is very tolerant.

Across three performances, 786 students from schools throughout Victoria come together to celebrate the rich musical traditions of Ghana through song, rhythm and dance. Guided by outstanding Ghanaian-Australian artists and musicians, these students have spent months learning music, language and stories that reflect the warmth, resilience and spirit of Ghanaian culture.

Akoma, meaning heart in the Twi language, symbolises patience, goodwill, love and unity. These values are at the heart of this project, celebrating the friendships formed, the communities connected and the power of music to bring people together.

The Boîte Schools Chorus is much more than a performance. It is a shared journey of learning, curiosity and connection, where children from diverse backgrounds come together through music, fostering understanding, respect and a strong sense of belonging. As they sing together, students not only develop their musical skills but also deepen their appreciation of another culture through meaningful artistic collaboration.

We thank our students, teachers, artists, musicians, volunteers, supporters and families whose commitment and enthusiasm have made Akoma – The Heart possible.

We hope this performance inspires you through its joyful celebration of culture, and the remarkable voices of Victoria's young people, brought to life through the vibrant energy of Ghanaian master drumming and traditional dance.

Welcome to Akoma – The Heart.

At The Boîte, we believe music has an extraordinary ability to connect people across cultures, generations and communities.

At a time when embracing and celebrating our multicultural society feels more important than ever, the Boîte Schools Chorus brings this belief to life. Hundreds of young people come together to learn, listen and experience another culture through song.

This year, we are proud to celebrate the music and stories of Ghana, guided by remarkable Ghanaian-Australian artists who have generously shared their knowledge and culture. Akoma means heart, and there could be no better word for a project built on curiosity, friendship and the joy of singing together.

My sincere thanks to the artists, teachers, schools, families, volunteers and The Boîte team who have made this extraordinary project possible, and especially to every student lending their voice to this chorus.

Enjoy the performance.

Dale Packard, Director - The Boîte

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

A NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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I am so happy to be sharing the songs that I sang as a young boy with the children of the Boîte School’s Chorus. The songs and rhythms in this book are only a small taste of the full and diverse culture in Ghana. Everything in Ghana is intertwined; our songs match the drum patterns that tell a story to teach us about life. Add to this our Adinkra symbols on our drums and clothes that we wear, this ensures we grow up with morals. We know how to work together, show kindness, and be weary of tricksters and to contribute to society in a positive way. “You have to know where you have been to know where you are going!”

Enjoy!

Mishael Gyabeng

Program ITEMS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Mpenyinfuo Traditional Ghanaian in Fante language

Kye Kye Kule Traditional Ghanaian in Twi language

Sansa Kroma Traditional Ghanaian in Fante language

Obo Asi Me Nsa Traditional Ghanaian in Twi language

Play: Anansi and the Talking Melon Ghanaian traditional tale adapted by Stella Savy

Awari Traditional Ghanaian in Fante and Twi language

Pete Pete Traditional Ghanaian in Fante language

Bankyi Traditional Ghanaian in Fante language

Written by Stella Savy, Mishael Gyabeng and Kofi Kunkpe in English and Twi languages.

Toboli Ewe Lullaby

Se Gobe

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

Akoma

Traditional Ghanaian in Hausa and Ga language 5

Artists

MISHAEL GYABENG Mishael Gyabeng was born in Jukwa Central Region Ghana.

Mishael’s father (Odeefou Boa Ampensem the Ill) was the King of Denkyera region. Mishael was able to study and learn his traditional rhythms and dances, which are unique to Kings and Queens in the community.

Mishael began drumming when he was 7 years old, and since then has played in traditional ensembles and contemporary bands. Mishael has appeared many times on national television performing in bands and traditional ensembles. He was a valued member of Asanti Dance Theatre for many years and would perform every week with his high-life bands in Ghana.

Mishael is a teacher to people from all around the globe as travellers come to Ghana or in Australia to learn about the traditional culture and in particular the drumming of West Africa.

Mishael will continue to learn his craft through practice and sharing his knowledge and skill with people all around the world.

STELL A SAV Y Stella Savy (Cocosounds) offers a complete contemporary global musical experience for schools. Stella runs dynamic, engaging classroom music programs for P to 6 that cover music and culture from all over the world, connecting students to stories on a personal level.

Stella Savy has been a vocal coach for over 20 years, conducting groups such as Sweet Mona’s Choir, the Mini Mona’s Choir and Thursday Night Community Choir. Stella has worked with The Boite on many choir projects over the last 10 years; Freedom Road, Mai Fali Eh, Coco de Mer, Windrush and Haven. Stella has worked with choirs and groups all around the world and has an energetic and fun approach to facilitating her sessions, both for children and adults.

Stella also performs regularly in her bands all around Australia in a variety of styles, playing percussion, singing and guitar.

Stella and Mishael conduct cultural tours to the Seychelles and Ghana every year, giving visitors a personal, educational holiday experience.

KOFI KUNKPE Kofi Kunkpe is an Ewe master drummer from the Volta Region of Ghana. He is passionate about the maintenance of traditional culture in helping to improve the lives of the people of Ghana. As a child Kofi studied a wide range of musical instruments at Peter King College of Music in Elobo, Nigeria.

In 1996, at the age of 16, he returned to Ghana to study traditional drumming and dance with Agoro Theatre Company, based in Cape Coast. He became a professional member of the group in 1998.

Working with Agoro, Kofi travelled throughout Ghana and to Burkina Faso, promoting, performing and teaching traditional dance and drumming. Since this time he has performed and taught with a wide variety of Ghanaian and international companies including Asanti Dance Theatre (Ghana / Australia), African Footprints International (Ghana) and Wild Moves International (Australia). He also worked with Anansi Travel NGO (USA) as their djembe instructor between 2004 and 2012.

From 2007 to 2010 Kofi was employed as the Performing Arts Group manager of the Freespirit Foundation (Poland) in Moree, Ghana, teaching performing arts to disadvantaged children from the region.

In 2004 and 2006 Kofi toured to New York to perform with the Elemina Dance Ensemble (Ghana). In 2012 Kofi moved to the Yarra Valley in Warburton, Victoria, Australia. Since this time he has performed and taught extensively throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria and New South Wales. He conducts regular classes in his hometown of Warburton and works as a percussionist with many of Melbourne’s best African performers. Kofi is also a skilled bass player and is currently working with several, high profile African artists including Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai and Senegalese artist Lamine Sonko.

Appiah Annan is a rare talent originating from Ghana, West Africa.

His diverse practice spans many forms of dance, including traditional African, contemporary, freestyle, hip hop, and acrobatics, alongside his impressive skills as a master drummer, performing with both stick and hand drums. An inaugural Sidney Myer Fellow, Annan has more recently become known for his exploration of Afro-contemporary dance technique, as well as his skill in playing the kora (a 21-stringed West African harp).

Based in Melbourne since 2007, this versatile artist has shared his work with audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. Through his artistic practice, he aims to foster respect, togetherness, and understanding among all members of our diverse society.

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

APPIAH ANNAN

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Photo Credit: Jacinta Keefe

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

The Boîte Schools Chorus 2026 We extend our sincere gratitude to the teachers whose dedication and hard work have been fundamental to this project's success. Well done to the students for their commitment and enthusiasm. We also express our appreciation to the musicians, and artists involved. This project would not have been possible without your contributions.

BALL AR AT CONCERT

E.GAY GOUGH THEATRE, MOUNT CLEAR COLLEGE - BALLARAT

BALLARAT STEINER SCHOOL Teachers Jane Greenslade, Lisa Peters-Roose

MOUNT CLEAR COLLEGE Teacher Stella Savy

L Block, C Bluett, E Bluett, B Boath, P Boath, A Bongiorno-Laris, E Bongiorno-Laris, Z BrooksJeandet, F Dennis, A Jordan, E Mackay, H Nicholas, R O’Hara, V Rost, A Smyth-Ewers

A Marong, A Gluck, B Grimes, C Rowberry, G Coyle, K Gyabeng, N Hayes-Beulke , N Pearce, V Brauman, Z Ryan, L Deeks

CANADIAN LEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Sharon Keith C Hunter, A Watson, H Moors, T Varenica, F Talbot, A Williams, E Dunne, K Hynd, P Dobbin, R Britten, A Woolfe, W Mallard, K Green, P Dobbin, P Thomson

DJAARA COUNTRY HOMESCHOOLERS Teacher Eloise Oxer A Oxer-Joulaei, M Walls, E Golub-Tawdros, M Niceforo, L Niceforo, F Carroll-Willoughby

GORDON PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Molly Hodgson

MINI MONAS CHOIR Teacher Stella Savy A Marong, A Gluck, B Grimes, C Rowberry, G Coyle, K Gyabeng, N Hayes-Beulke , N Pearce, V Brauman, Z Ryan, L Deeks

M Ryan, E Waldron, E Finley, O Miceli, C Purtell, A Moore, M Tongs, E Cavanagh, L Bartlett, S Porter, P Thomas, W James, R James, H Gull, S Gunetileke, I Easton, R Davis, F Richards, S Hipke

ST ALIPIUS PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Adam Cameron F Hurwitz, H Mobin, C Howden, E Wilkie, R Ghuman, B Casella, C Mobin, C Devlin, E Spicer, W Duri, M Maulder, I Casella, E Scott, J Eldridge, S Ryan, S Mercardo, A Torpy, B Rice, F Bergman, MJ Lewis, P Zakynthinos, S Jekabson, A Jones, S Kingsley, A Rice, S Neal, H Neal, M Austin, A Jones

YUILLE PARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE Teachers Bri Dredge, Beck Ashmore, Kalilah Smith L Cleary, N Coghill, A Cook, B Cresp, S Cresp, J Easterbrook, C Graham-Beekmans, S GrahamBeekmans, J Haley, L Hunter, T J McPhan, F McPhan, T M McPhan, A Marron-Haley, T Mibus-Baxter, A Mudge, A Stevenson, B Stewart, L Sweeney, J Thewma, M Vince, H F Ware, H R Ware, N Yannopoulos, T Yannopoulos, P Yannopoulos,

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

Z Marshall, M Brunk, H Swire, M Swire, C Murphy, C Quinlan, T Quinlan, R Cullen, V Barnes, H Greenwood, L Kent, Z Kucz, S Meddick, G Wilson, E Seter

ST FRANCIS XAVIER PRIMARY SCHOOL, BALLARAT EAST Teacher Lauren Barrett

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MELBOURNE TOWN HALL - MATINEE ALEXANDRA PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Phil Kim

KYNETON PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Polly Christie

Z Crouch, A Farley, H Strochnetter, F Campbell, I Goodman, N Kaluthara Koralalage Dona, B Denyer, H Fegen, P Gysberts, F Ratten, H Carter, M Reece, C Ferguson, E Kijlstra, J Kelly, S Clacy, A Forden, M Woehl, O Laverty, A Ferguson, H Coghill, M Keath, A Davies, M Green, Kendelle W, M Clark, E Buckett, Z Madsen, A Roche, N Madeira

A Andrea, K Butterworth, N Collard, E Craven, M Craven, L Dewberry, J Dickie, M Dixon, C Dykmans, C Furness, J Gardener, O Giordani, E Hillman, A Hillman, M James, E Jones, M Jorolan, T Karakizos, W Karanicolas, L Kelly, L Kennet, B Lamb, M Magill, E Martin, C Mathison, R Mether, M Mizza, K Moore, H Morton, A Ontong, C Perry, S Perry, J Price, M Raza, C Robinson, M Sharp, M Sheppard, A Sims, A Stagoll, L Van Keulen, C Wales, E Williams, H Woodford, E Zammit, E Zucchet

AVENEL PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Mel Kecskes F Boote, O Butler, K Cambrey, L Cambrey, I Croxford, R Dean, E Fowles, M Fowles, L Friedrick, A Golightly, G Gurkin, A Handy, R Hannigan, W Leunig, L Manning, M Martin, F Pendlebury, A Pitman, S Pitman, D Sheean, M Shiels, L Smith, O Van Dyk, A Van Dyk, N Van Horen, O Wheeler, A Wheeler

BUXTON PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Kim Postill E Bibby, A McVean, B Boromeo, M Seyfong, J Arnott, X Crowle, E Webb, H Elliott, L Dark, H Rennie, I Bridgman, N Coward, E Goldstraw, A Trewarne, J Hearn

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

ELTHAM EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Jason Day

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A Agashe, A Ashe, S Berry, L Briggs-Walker, L Dawson, S Dawson, M Du, E Duff, A Eagleton, W Esler, M Glass, T Glass, E Goodlad, S GranadosSpruce, Z Hardiman, Z Higgins, T Hordern, J Jones, S Kaur, T Kelly, L Kilsby, L Kilsby, M Kokachev, K Kumar, E Lee, L Li, Y Lin, A Ly, D Nasiri, E Natoli, H Nicholson, E O’Connell, C Ong, C Ong, A Palta, E Reeve, L Schneider, A Scundi, A Sharkey, N Thilakraj, P Thomas, E Tokushima Di Lorenzo, P Van Saane, I Vizovitis, M Weymouth, L Wilson, F Yang, R Zoorabadi

LEARNING CO-OPERATIVE PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Omrita Baskar S Broughan-Michael, L. Kennedy, T. Fatchen-Cook, A. Strang, J. Rotella, T. Fraser-Hawkins, J. Strang, L. McIntosh , A. Campli-Suhas, E. Theisz, A. FraserHawkins, E. Broughan-Michael, A. McIntosh, E. Holdsworth , L. Elliott-Fuhrer, R. Elliott-Fuhrer, A. Orpinas-Blunden, M. Holdsworth, N. Rotella , W. Barber, A. Aatreya, H. Gillespie

MIDDLE KINGLAKE PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Meagan Callander A Rowson, E Katsi, N Katsi, M Marsh, D Marsh, A Ingle, H Cusworth, F Laukart, S Westworth, G Capocchi, J Wilson, K Kiss, A Ryland, J Roney, H Liberts, M Lagalle-Smith, E Monagle, W Sawyer, M Pollard

PHILLIP ISLAND VILLAGE SCHOOL Teacher Maddy Wilson C Wood, E Joseph, C Anders, J Glasby, K Noble, O Moulynox, R Glasby, T Rosehope Landes, R Wasiak, Z Pollock

Photo credit: Paul Clarke

SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL, YEA Teacher Penny van Lierop

SUNSHINE HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Jasmine Luong

E Toulson, O Toulson, E Frankcombe, A Sundblom, A Barry, O Manning, Q Wolstencroft, M Thomas, S Kelly, S Lockhart, T Johnston

M Arya, M Arya, L Beamish, D Bisht, M Borlagdan, G Brown, L Brown, Z Brown, R Brudenell , F Butler, I Chalmers, A Chang, I Coloca, L Coloca, K Conyers, L Cunningham-Hall , A Dor, I Drago, L Egan, I Haouchar, G Hewitt, P Hewitt, M Islam, I Kazantzidis, A Litewka, M Melhem, S Nelson, F Papafotiou, M Papafotiou, M Pati Tugaga, S Pati Tugaga, E Perry Cairns, F Peter, J Rankin, B Rees, G Russell , S Smith, E Stanley , I Tran, S Tran, M Van, L Zrnic

ST BRIGID’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, HEALESVILLE Teachers Nicole Gellatly, Amanda Carolan L. Anderson, G. Zaccaria, S.Bashford, E. Willis, A.Barrie, S. Woodford, M. Learoyd, L. Nielsen, A. Green, M. Psathas, M.Noorbergen, F. Duggan, H.Van Den Dolder, J. Nolet, H. Smith, I. Stocker, C. Mariani, N. Duggan, P. Roscoe, H. Ellis

A Lorimer-Derham, F Kean, M Blakeney, O Bishop, S Davies, R Lamaro, T Welsh, M Kerr, E Murphy, A Salmon-Lish, A Abdullah, J Blakeney, O Bruce, I Kociancic, M Parker, B Soward-Findlay, R Frew, M Solomon, D van Lierop, L Drysdale, R Martin, H Lucas, L Kerr, B Jordan, I Kroepsch

C Riley, J Sola, A Burke, A Ravji, E Riley, L Bryant, C Vernon, P Baker, I Elmslie, A Grey, A Lesina, P O’Flynn, S Marra-Fuessel, N Nair, M Dalziel, A Singh

YEA PRIMARY SCHOOL (with 1 student from Flowerdale Primary School) Teacher Lou Filmore A Buckland, R Daniel, E Degroot, C Fisher, S Helder, O Lane, T Lewien, L Luckman, E Mcdonald, I Parnis, H Power, L Ryan, H Ryan-Thomas, B Tait, L Turner, E Walter, M Wheatley, B Martini

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

ST MARY’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, ALEXANDRA Teacher Jack Mithen

YARRA PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Ross Davis

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Photo credit: Jacinta Keefe

MELBOURNE TOWN HALL - EVENING CONCERT BRIAR HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL Teachers Janet Patterson, Julia Marulli, Jemma Rayner

DOREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Rachel Blake

A Alalawi, M Barker, M Branov, H Cookson, B Dawe, M Hanson, L Harrington, M Hicks, L Hunnam, A Ilinov, T Jankus, V Kennedy, H Kent, A Pascal, A Pascal, S Polson, M Polson, I Silipo, O Statos, W Statos, F Thomson, J Thomson, D Watson

T Azizi, A Azizi, M Paleologos, Z Paleologos, E Varano, I Varano, M Neal, E Wallis, B Wallis, R Dilip, A Sathyanarayanan, D Bowen, C Harris, E Mc Guire, J Dirkx, A Calder

BRUNSWICK NORTH WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL Teachers Bek Tankard, Jacob Diamond, Tom Dartnell

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

S Addy, K Conway, G Eeles, A Khallouf-Cooper, E McIntyre, E Nicholson Smith, G Ryan, M Champion, A Clarke, C Cooper, L Filippi, A Hammond, M O’Murcu, Z Ong, P Preston, C Sowerwine, L Tewierik, C Thomas, P Treasure, K Wilson, E Cook, C Cosmano, M Eyayaw, O Hughes, A Nareswara, L Price, L McRobb

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BRUNSWICK SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL Teachers Oliver Mann, Kirilie Blythman S Skubiszewski, G Duncan, R Chiodo, S Stanley, Z Haines, M Byron, A Farquhar-Mann, V Dil, I Maiden, A Riebl, M Hardiford, M Hughes, M Webster, R Wagenaer, M Stavrias, M Tole, A Dillon, A Fuller, A La Spina, G Fyfe, L Burns, D Brenner, E Brenner, C Raschellà, E Butt Blencowe, M Coast-Luttrell, A George, B Dil, S Athaee

FITZROY NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Tanya Dolence E Aitken, E Alpass, N Arnadottir, Z Cass, O Coleman, O Consta Callander, M Crowley, S Dahir, M Emilianowicz, N Greer, H Hobbs, S Kuring, I Mohamed Bare, V Oreglia, I Rae, B Ridgeway, M Stefanov, O Stella, A Suleban

NEWLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Katherine Watson A Adams, A Grigg-Rose, J Turner, J Savanadasa, L Smith, L Prieto-Horne, P Davis, S Valdor, A Watson, A Kamboj, A Poyner-Ross, C Fuhrmann, E McNaught, E Crupi, F Le, H Green, H O’Donohue, I Scott, L Kearney, M Talberg Lawley, M Fergeus, P Bon, R Le, S Nason, V Watson, A Braxton-Hall, A Salgado King, A Lewers-Daniel, A Natt, D Baskan, E Tursan D’espaignet, F Martin, G Lansell, I Moore, L Carter, M Kenvyn, M Murphy, N Stitt, P Chabaud, R Yule, S Kaluza Millar, S Wray-Alvarado, W Hayden Castillo, X Sterjovski, E Greet, H May, L Ireland, L Watts, L Nachtigall, Z Seeligson

PRESTON WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Juliet Steel

THORNBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL Teacher Erica Pringle

C Ajro, A Bailey, T Barsden, L Boxer, V Brown, JK Canoy, I Dokoza, N Huang, G Lu, T Maxwell, A Melfie, S Mohamed, K Nambiar, S Nguyen, F O’Fee, F Reed, V Santos, A Serratore, A Surya Prakash Naidu, A Yang

A Johnsron, S Krnjacki Jones, I Isdale, L Jeffrey, M Donnelly, A Mejias, S Taylor Ulbri, L Stevenson, A Christensen, C Midford, S Artz, C Losper-Wilson, A Smolenaers, P Rawlings Orenstein, M Lee, Y Guerrero De Swart, H. Brewer

PRINCES HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL Teachers Oliver Mann, Deborah Kayser

TRINITY CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, RICHMOND Teacher Belinda Nechwatal

ST PIUS X PRIMARY SCHOOL Teachers Felicia Dahmen, Sharmila Blair B Dorman, A Dorman, M Dorman, E Dewhurst, H Dewhurst, L Dewhurst, M Strom, S Smullen, D Ghodsieh, D Clemmet, N Fiedler, B Schwalger, A Foster, E Blencowe, L Bonilla Arevalo, S Carnesi

M Gaetjens, K Luu, Z Verschaeren, L Agau, D Lam, A Elkurdi, A Ha, J Li, L Alzate-Moscoso, T Melaku, A Rainbow, V Lam, E Agau, H Gibbs, E Gozon, A Hass, L Muston, L Wong, G Dean, Y Gebremichael, E Huynh, M Katic Martin, G Masalski, S Thumar, L Zito, T Higgs, S Ivancic, S Matthias, V Moodley, E Verschaeren, A Melaku

VICTORIAN HOMESCHOOL CHOIR Teacher Louisa Roubin H Abeykoon, L Abeykoon, A De Luca Cosson, R De Luca Cosson, E Lew, S Roubin, S Roubin, Z Rhodes, L Steele Rankin, R Steele Rankin, E Thomas, M Thomas

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

P Ascencio, G Dong, T Dunn- Todorova, M Forbes, T Forbes-Ramsdale, H Fraser, B Grigg, P Hont, A Knight, J Knight, R Livingstone-Rintoul, H Lokic, I Macgregor, D Mason, L Mitra-Kahn, V Monier, R Neill, A Ngyuyen, H Nilsson, J Purdue, C Ralph Torney, A Richardson, Z Shen, A Smith, F Surano, J Tauro, P Thom, A Tran, H Warrren-Kendall, W Warren-Kendall, A White, T White, B Gunbileg, E Ralph-Torney

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Anansi and the Talking Melon Anansi (or Ananse), whose name translates to "spider," is a wellknown character in Akan religion and folklore. Often depicted as a spider, Anansi is celebrated for his wisdom, intelligence, wit, and cleverness, while also being famous for his mischievous nature and love of trickery.

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

Anansi and the Talking Melon, by Eric A. Kimmel, is a popular children's folktale featuring the clever trickster. In the story, the lazy Anansi becomes trapped inside a melon after eating too much. Using his quick thinking, he convinces a series of animals, including Elephant, the King, and Hippopotamus, that the melon can actually talk.

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Photo credit: Bonnie Prenc

Photo credit: Jacinta Keefe

Photo credit: Jacinta Keefe

AKOMA | The Heart Songs and Stories of Ghana

Photo credit: Paul Clarke

Photo credit: Paul Clarke

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Established as a not-for-profit organisation in 1979, The Boîte supports excellent artists from diverse cultural communities, promotes cultural understanding through the dynamic presentation of unique cultural experiences, and nurtures creativity, collaboration, access to and active participation in the arts.

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