For a number of years we have worked on the musical development of traditional songs, the contribution they have made to our western world and as a complement to modern European and American music.

Both Anita and Marie Daulne (ZAP MAMA) trace their cultural origins both to Congo and Belgium.

For some time we have been exploring this world of sounds to extract specific lessons, in particular the essentials to practice voices throughout world.

At the same time we wished to share our experience in musical research within the European and even the American sphere, where all too often ethnic music is considered inaccessible. ZAP MAMA CDs have well contributed to this intercultural approach (see the documentary called " Musike mama" (www.zap-mama.com). )

ZAP MAMA is an "afro-paean" musical culture, a precise perfectly proportioned cross-fertilisation, which, while keeping its own ethnic savour blends with the modern.

But we have gone further than this: with-up-to-the-minute conferences and instruction periods relating to this work. These show that songs throughout the world are accessible to anyone who loves, wishes to understand and shared information with griots or bards, Tuareg women, dogons, Pheuls, Pygmies, Babudu, mangbetu, Zulus and others. This we have done this simply to make the western world aware of some of its riches.

This work has had such success that even academies, conservatories and universities have invited us to teach and explain. These include the UCE University at Birmingham, the University of San Diego in California, the conservatory of Copenhagen the Conservatory of Arhus School of rhythm in Denmark, the University of Leuven; workshop in Sweden, Germany, Italy, England, Holland, France, Belgium ....

We should not ignore that teaching inspired from traditional sources is vital to the world of today.

For the last 15 years, between the ZAP MAMA show and her musical research, Anita Mahdia Daulne developed a particular way of teaching.

She offers a different approach to song by breaking out of tropical forest and into ethnic blends of the city she leads us deep within our natural being, discovering new sounds and expression.

"OPEN YOUR HEART AND LET YOUR SOUL SING"

Anita Mahdia Daulne: Teacher of polyphony, singer, composer and performer

Contact: Anita Mahdia Daulne

kikinanga@hotmail.com or mahdia@zapmama.be

65d kiln lane Headington , OXFORD OX3 8HA England Tel : 0044 1865 744 523

For more information about ZAP MAMA workshop see : http://www.zapmama.be/activity