Asanti Dance Theatre

Appiah Annan (Company Director)

Appiah Annan is a rare talent from Ghana, West Africa, who specialises in many forms of dance including traditional African, freestyle, hip hop, contemporary and acrobatics along with his impressive skills as a master drummer using both stick and hand drums. Trained under the Ghanaian master, Omari Oppong,  Appiah began making a name for himself at the young age of 12. By 16 he was competing against Ghana’s finest in the regional and national dance championships and had worked with many international artists and companies including Slim Buster, Agoro, The Ghanaian National Dance Ensemble and Afro Moses. Having little himself, the entrepreneurial minded Appiah had a vision to make a difference for his community. He initiated Asanti Dance Theatre in 2003 to help the local artists work and express themselves as well as spread messages of peace, tolerance and understanding among all people.  This project grew from a few artists living and training together on the beach, to an internationally recognised 15 piece drum and dance theatre company that worked with students, travellers, locals and the like. Asanti is still running in Ghana today and is helping the lives of many in the community. On coming to Australia in 2007 he initiated Asanti Australia- this time with a more multicultural approach, working with both Ghanaians and Westerners to bring the two cultures closer together. Asanti Australia draws upon the same values as its sister company in Ghana and is becoming known quickly in the Melbourne and Australian arts industry. Appiah is now also developing ‘Nkabom’, his NGO project in Ghana which draws upon the arts, creation, innovation and community cultural development to help reduce poverty rates and create a more sustainable community.   

Julius Sackey: Musician / Dancer

Sackey is a highly skilled dancer and musician, known for his knowledge of traditional and contemporary West African music and dance. He trained under the prestigious Agoro Theatre Company in Ghana where he learnt many of the intricate rhythms and and dance techniques. He then followed his passion for dance and moved into a role as assistant director and lead dancer in Asanti Dance Theatre, Ghana. Performing throughout Ghana, England and now Australia, Sackey is enjoying sharing his skills with the wider Melbourne community. He has performed at many festivals and events including performing with Kojo Antwi (top Ghanaian musician), Agido African Dance Company (London) and supporting various groups in Melbourne.

Edward ‘Shabba’ Eshun: Dancer

Shabba is a professional dancer from Ghana, West Africa. His styles include Traditional, Contemporary, Comedy, Acrobatics, RnB and Hip Hop.  Shabba was a member of Asanti Dance Theatre in Ghana, where he trained, taught and performed all over Ghana. He then went on to be a member of African Footprints International where he performed and facilitated workshops throughout Ghana, Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Italy. As such he has taught workshops to a variety of people from different cultures, backgrounds, ages and abilities.  

Arriving in Australia in 2009 he is an active member of Asanti Dance Theatre Australia, and performs regularly with various African performance groups here in Melbourne. 

Belinda Annan: Dancer

Belinda completed BCA majoring in contemporary dance and drama at Deakin University in 2005. Upon completion she travelled to Ghana and undertook a residency with Asanti Dance Theatre (Ghana), teaching the company contemporary dance and training in African Dance technique over the course of 5 months before travelling to the UK. On returning to Australia in 2007 she performed with Botue African Theatre and then joined Asanti when it was first initiated in 2008. A qualified performing arts teacher, Belinda has performed and run workshops at all kinds of events including New Years Eve at Fed Square, Werribee Zoo Rhythm of Africa and the Virgin Blue launch with Sir Richard Branson.

Kuukua Acquah: Singer, Dancer

A tribal princess in her native home Ghana, West Africa, Kuukua’s  talent was recognized early and she was trained as a singer and dancer from a young age.  Her skills and knowledge of traditional repertoire led her to win the National Dance Championship in Ghana in 1996 and 1997. She has performed around the world with many international artists including Afro Moses, Alpha Blondie and Sha Sha Marley. 

Now living and working in Melbourne, Kuukua is a sought after dance soloist, choreographer and vocalist. She performs regularly at major Australian shows and festivals with many of Australia’s notable African performance groups including the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, King Marong and Afro Mandinko, Musiki Manjaro and Asanti Dance Theatre.

Ransford Banini: Musician

Arriving in Australia as a professional soccer play and captain of the Ghanaian All Stars team, Ransford’s focus on music came about as a result of an injury which prevented him from pursuing his career in soccer. He quickly found his new skills and has since performed with many groups in Melbourne including Akwaaba (the first traditional Ghanaian performance company in Australia), Kusun, African Royal Drummers, Botue and Asanti Dance Theatre. He is now recognised as an established musician and is continuing to refine his skills as lead dun dun player in Asanti.  

 Dale Gorfinkel: Musician

Dale is a creative musician with few boundaries. He is a multi-instrumentalist, improviser, instrument builder, installation artist and educator. He is interested in finding fresh ways of presenting and making music. These include outdoors, across artforms, and inter-cultural and inter-generational contexts. An established musician in his own right, he has recently joined Asanti and brings with him a plethora of ideas and knowledge.

Kathleen Gonzaleez: Dancer

Kathleen Gonzalez was born in Bogota Colombia, and has had  dance flowing through her veins since the age of nine. She has danced for numerous local and international dance companies, using ballet, folk and contemporary styles to express herself.

Considered a technical professional in contemporary dance, Kathleen studied at the Academia Superior de Artes de Bogota and has received numerous awards at both local and state level in Colombia. She was part of the prestigious and internationally recognized Colombian Ballet Group of Sonia Osorio, and is recognised for investigating the theoretical and practical shades of traditional Colombian folk dance, which informs her unique style. Also a teacher, she now finds herself in Australia, drawing on her knowledge of traditional and contemporary dance movement to create dynamic new work.