Our Drummers

Katsu-ra Abiola

Virtuoso Specializing in West African Drumming

Katsu-ra Abiola is Drumming Director for Suwabi African Ballet. This native New Yorker was introduced to drumming at the age of 2, has trained with master drummers from Africa and the USA throughout his life and has studied traditional drumming in West Africa. Abiola is proficient in all the djembe drum, dundun drum and kenken bell parts of countless rhythms of the Mandinka, Susu, Boke, Baga, Temmne, Djola, Fulani, Landouma, etc., ethnic groups. Abiola has an Associate's Degree in Theater, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications with a Television concentration, at Virginia State University. He has performed on Television & radio numerous times. Katsu-ra has received grants and awards from numerous cities in Virginia, including Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Richmond, Franklin, etc. Abiola travels to study and instruct, and he teaches workshops, master classes and residencies throughout the continental USA.

Ayinde Aamosis Abiola

Dundun Drummer and Pianist

Ayinde Aamosis Abiola, has been drumming for over a decade, has traveled to West Africa to train with master drummers, and has also trained with master drummers in the USA. Ayinde has taught drumming in Gambia, West Africa and is proficient in rhythms from the Djola, Temmne, Boke, Fulani, Mandinka, Susu, etc, ethnic groups. Ayinde is not only skilled in dundun, Songba and Kenkeni, but he reads, writes and composes music and plays piano as well. Ayinde has appeared on television and the radio countless times and has received grants and awards from the Hampton Youth Council, Newport News Parks and Recreation, the NAACP, Partners in the Arts, etc.(too many to list!). Currently, Ayinde drums for Suwabi African Ballet, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree from Virginia State University.