Melbourne Community West African Music Ensemble

The Melbourne Community West African Music Ensemble is a FREE community ensemble organised by The Plucked String and directed by our wonderful teacher Amadou Kalissa.

The ensemble is designed to be an inclusive and encouraging space for musicians from all walks of life to meet like minded individuals and enjoy West African music, while also gaining hands-on ensemble experience.

People of all skill levels and instruments are welcome!

Kora - Ngoni - Djembe - Gongoma - Prenpresewa - Balafon - Shekere - Bell - and others…

This group is free to attend, although participants must provide their own music stand & instrument.

We also welcome complete beginners. We can provide an instrument for you to use and give you basic instruction. Just email us before attending your first rehearsal!

Rehearsals take place Wednesday nights from 5:30pm - 6:30pm at our offices' rooftop rehearsal space located at 370 St Kilda Rd, Southbank.

(Please note: If we are not on the roof, sometimes we rehearse in our studio on Level 2, Suite 201)

Please register your interest below!

(Please note: The ensemble caters for Adults and Teenagers 13 years and up)

Rehearsals commence 22/04/2026