Place of birth
Nigeria
My story
My name is Olúpémi Olúdáre. I am an assistant professor of Black History at the University of Amsterdam and a musician with the Catching Cultures Orchestra. I inherited drums from my cultural upbringing and also learned the violin in church and at music schools. I initially came to the Netherlands for my PhD in musicology. Because I always made music myself in Nigeria, I wanted to continue doing so. That's how I ended up with Catching Cultures.
Instrument
West African Percussion, Talking Drum & MC
My input in the orchestra
I play Nigerian talking drums and other West African percussion instruments, as well as the violin. This combination brings my cultural background together with the diversity of the orchestra. I also compose extensively, including several pieces performed by the CCO, such as Ìjó Yá and Ìyá l'olùtójú mi. In my own compositions, I also act as singer and MC (Master of Ceremony). In that role I conduct both the orchestra and the audience in an exciting way, they become one whole.
