Name: Vaunie

Age: 29

Drum: Dobra

How long have you been part of the Katumba family? Since 2016

Where are you from? What’s your background? Here,there & everywhere! My Dad’s Ghanaian, My Mum’s Bajan, Ghanaian & Irish… I’ve lived in Toxteth my whole life ♡

What inspired you to join Katumba? I stopped smoking & wanted something to occupy my time..on my way home from work one day I saw Katumba drumming outside the Black-E 😊 & knew I wanted to be a part of that sound!

Did you have any previous musical experience before joining? No

Are/were there any barriers you had to overcome? Yes!!…dancing being the main one!

What is the best thing about being part of Katumba? Meeting people from different walks of life & Seeing different parts of the world!

Tell us your all-time favourite Katumba moment or performance? It was for a corporate event down at the ACC building on the docks. We (including Ritchie & Juliana[Co-Directors]) were told what we were doing last minute…OMG! ‘Dancing’ (not drumming!) to this terrible track…in front of soo many ‘important’ people!! I must have looked like I was having an amazing time but I was nervous laughing the whole gig saying ‘what the …?!’… Juliana was in her element, loving life..I think Ritchie was cringing as much as me  Haha it’s definitely the one I remember most!

What does Katumba mean to you? Growth..it helped me get through a sh*tty time in my life!

What would you say to someone who is interested in joining the band? Do it! You never know what you’re capable of until you try! Challenge yourself…don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s!

If you’d like to join our group, check out our Beginner’s Course here and other Classes here!

*Limited low income/free spaces available*

*Free/Low income spaces reserved for BAME/PoC community*

Photo: Robert Tate

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