KPEDUƉO INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS, DZOGADZE
(KIPAD)
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KPEDUƉO INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS, DZOGADZE (KIPAD)
SUMMER CAMP 2026
SUNDAY, JULY 5 - SUNDAY JULY, 19, 2026
Summer Camp with Cultural Immersion, Drum, Dance, Song, and Indigenous Knowledge Exchange
Director - Azagunua, Vodzi O. J. Torgboh (PhD)
with other instructors including: Music/Dance Teachers and local Artist
COURSE DETAILS
COURSE DETAILS
Date: Sunday, July 5 - Monday, July 19, 2026
Location/Community: Dzogadze, Ghana, West Africa
ENROLLMENT/LOGISTICS
Enrollment/Lessons (July 5 - July 19)
$1,550USD per person
Housing/Room & Board (July 5 - July 19)
Double Occupancy (2 to a room): $960USD per person
TOTAL COST
$2,510USD per person (Enrollment/Lesson fee + Housing/Room & Board Cost) (July 5- July 19)
INCLUDES
Daily (3-Square-Meal) breakfast, lunch & dinner (July 5 - July 19)
All lessons
Certificate for Participation
Airport Pick-up and Drop-off (on July 5 and July 19 only)
Lodging in Dzogadze (from July 5 - July 19)
Transportation to and from all community ceremony and performances
Field Trips to historical and cultural sights of interest
Internet/WiFi
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare
Visa
Travel vaccination
Accommodation outside of Dzogadze
Food outside of Dzogadze
A non-refundable $600USD deposit is required to secure your spot by March 20, with full payment due by May 31, 2026. Space is limited, so register early to ensure you don't miss this life-changing experience!
TESTIMONIALS
“I have known Vodzi Torgboh for over 20 years and can attest to his skill not only as a drummer, dancer. singer but as a cultural custodian and community leader. His connections to elders, others musicians/dancers and spiritual leaders are broad and deep, as is his knowledge of these realms of Ewe culture.
Coming to his village of Dzogadze (a place I have been visiting for over 25 years) and living with his extended family and community will be an experience you will not find anywhere else…..and one you will never forget.”
“Dzogadze is a vibrant community dedicated to consciously preserving its rich ancient traditions and rituals. As a participant (July 2025), I found the community immediately welcoming, embracing anyone ready to engage.
Its culture shines with exceptional musicians, dancers, and singers; their spirituality deeply informs their way of life. The Kpedudo drumming instructors are outstanding: they are world-class performers and highly trained educators, renowned for their friendliness and patience. For anyone serious about immersing themselves in Ewe culture and significantly improving their performance level, studying at the Kpedudo Institute is a fantastic option.”
“My last year’s (2024) journey to Dzogadze, and my participation in the Kpedudo Summer camp under the care of Vodzi O.J. Torgboh, and his people, awakened something ancient and alive in me. Immersed in the rhythms of Ewe drums, the storytelling, dance, and ancestral music, I felt a deep reconnection not only to African heritage but to my own roots of grief, belonging, and longing.
Witnessing youth and elders alike committing to preserving indigenous knowledge filled me with hope: hope for a future where our ancestral wisdom is honoured, celebrated, and carried forward.
That week in Dzogadze stirred grief into reverence, isolation into community, and absence into ancestral presence — renewing my consciousness in a way I carry with me still. If you are interested in moving beyond being an observer to becoming an active participant in living heritage, I encourage you to participate in Kpedudo summer camp.”
COURSE OVERVIEW
(An Unforgettable Cultural Journey to Ghana, Africa..!!!)
Ready for a life-changing journey? Spend two weeks in Ghana with master drummer, dancer, and historian Azagunua, Vodzi O.J. Torgboh. This isn't just a trip; it's a transformative immersion into the rich, living traditions of West African expressive arts at the Kpedudo Institute of Performing Arts, Dzogadze (KIPAD). It is a chance to build deep connections and be part of a vibrant, welcoming community. The course is open to all, from music/dance/history/social/ religious/anthropology/linguistic/science/agriculture/textile and clothing/ students and scholars to anyone passionate about tourism, community building, women and children empowerment, ecosystem and African spiritual/traditional healing.
This adventure is based in Vodzi's community of Dzogadze, in Ghana's beautiful Volta Region. You'll gain a deeper understanding of African expressive arts through daily drumming, singing, dancing and community bonding lessons, directed by Vodzi, music teachers and other experienced local artists. By participating in indigenous drumming, singing, dancing and other daily community cultural activities in various Ewe villages, you will engage directly with the community and experience powerful cultural exchange. Your journey extends beyond Dzogadze with visits to historical and cultural landmarks, including:
Participate in the Kpedudo Festival: Immerse yourself in the annual summer art festival of the people of Dzogadze, a celebration of music, dance, and culture that also honors esteemed elderly musicians with special prizes.
Cultural Rituals: Witness and experience traditional funerals and the live music that accompanies them.
Spirituality and Healing Rituals: You'll also visit local spiritual shrines to see priests and community groups perform their unique trance rituals and healing with music and dance accompaniment.
Deep Dive into the Arts: Enjoy daily hands-on Indigenous lessons directed by Vodzi and other local masters.
Connect with Community Social music: Dance, drum, and sing alongside members of the community.
Explore Ghana's History & Local Culture: Journey to historical landmarks, including the coastal town of Keta, where you will enjoy the beach and explore the historic Fort Prinzenstein, a former slave fort. You'll also discover local open markets, where you can browse and bargain for beautiful traditional fabrics, foods and unique carved artworks for your souvenirs.
Visit Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary: Have a chance to interact with the sacred Mona monkeys as they playfully take bananas right from your hand.
ACCOMMODATION
Participants will be accommodated in Vodzi's family house in the heart of Dzogadze. This setup ensures a comfortable stay while providing an authentic and immersive experience within the community. The house offers a peaceful retreat where you can relax and reconnect with playing kids after a day of classes and cultural exploration.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Leading/Directing the course is Azagunua, Vodzi O.J. Torgboh (PhD). He is an Ethnomusicologist at the University of California, Davis, and the founding director of Kpedudo Institute of Performing Arts, Dzogadze (KIPAD) and its annual summer art festival, the KPEDUĐO ZA (festival). He holds a master's degree in Dance Ethnology from the University of Ghana, Legon, and also Bachelor of Arts in Music from University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
A deeply respected indigenous knowledge keeper in his home community, Vodzi is an accomplished Ghanaian Azagunua (ordained master drummer, dancer), Atsrima (Palace talking- drum player), Hunua (traditional spiritual leader), dance-ethnologist and ethnomusicologist. He has been hosting/teaching music, dance and community exchange programs to Danes, and North Americans since 2003 in his home-village of Dzogadze. As a deeply respected indigenous knowledge keeper, he uniquely blends formal academic training with profound cultural expertise.
Sammy Sakoda Agudzemegah
Sammy (Vodzi's cousin) is a master musician, teacher, and performer who brings a wealth of educational and practical experience to the team. He is the chief artistic diector for Dzogadze Atsyiagbekor, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Sammy teaches music and dance at both basic and high schools, for organized groups in Ghana, and has been assisting Vodzi in teaching students from North America and Denmark. His expertise ensures that participants receive high-quality musical instruction grounded in both traditional practice and academic principles.
Julius Agbenyega Tettevi
Julius is a dedicated dancer, musician, and drummer with a passion for teaching. He is the administrator for Kpedudo Institute of Performimg Arts, Dzogadze (KIPAD) and the co-founder of the Fafali Dance Ensemble International, Hatsukorpe.
He has extensive experience performing and sharing traditional Ghanaian music and dance. Julius blends expressive movement with storytelling, and his dancing expertise is highly regarded. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, reflecting his unique blend of artistic skill and organizational expertise.
Kofi Avi
Kofi (Vodzi's youger uncle) is a master musician and dancer who serves as the acting director of the Dzogadze Atsyiagbekor troupe and has been assisting Vodzi. He has extensive experience teaching music and dance to young children and youths, as well as to visitors from North America.
Kofi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. He has been a leading instrumentalist and a highly respected figure in the community. His deep involvement in all local music groups makes him an invaluable source of cultural and musical knowledge.
This course offers a transformative, two-week immersion into the rich cultural traditions of Ghana, directed by master drummer, dancer, and historian Vodzi O.J. Torgboh. More than just a music program, this experience is designed for anyone passionate about tourism, community building, women and children empowerment, and the techniques of dance and movement. Through daily hands-on indigenous lessons and participation in vibrant drumming societies and local festivals, you’ll not only gain new skills but also build deep connections and lasting bonds within the community of Dzogadze.
Your journey will extend beyond the classroom to include visits to historical and cultural landmarks, where you will experience firsthand how music and dance are woven into the fabric of daily life. You'll attend traditional funerals, experience music and dance at spiritual shrines, and explore bustling local markets. This is a unique opportunity to interact with sacred monkeys at a local sanctuary and see the historic Fort Prinzenstein. It’s an adventure that promises to be life-changing, offering a holistic and authentic experience of West African expressive arts.
In many African cultures, music and dance are not separate forms of entertainment but are an integral part of daily life and a primary means of communication. They are the living language of the people, woven into the fabric of every significant event, from joyful celebrations and rites of passage to solemn funerals and spiritual ceremonies. Experiencing this firsthand is a profound opportunity for authentic cultural immersion. It's a chance to move beyond the tourist gaze and participate in rituals where music expresses history, dance tells stories, and rhythm embodies collective identity. By witnessing and joining in these traditions, you will gain a deeper understanding of the community's beliefs, values, and social systems, creating a truly life-changing and intimate connection with the culture.
CONTACT US
kpedudoinstitute@gmail.com | https://www.kpedudoinstitute.com
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