Guests

Saeed Abbas is a percussionist from Ghana, trained in the traditional musical arts from a young age
He performs as a drummer, flutist and gyl player. Saeed joined Ghana's National Dance Ensemble at
the age of 19, and has traveled the world performing for thousands of people, including Bill Clinton
and Queen Elizabeth I

Balla Kouyate's artistry is firmly rooted in the tradition of oral history keeping through music of the
Malinke Empire. Balla has travelled far to share the music of his homeland, has toured extensively
with West African pop artists, fronts his own group “World Vision” and has recently recorded with
both Yo Yo Ma and Angelique Kidjo, among many others

West African Drum and Dance Ensemble
Directed by Joe Galeota

Dancers Drew Chapa, Arlington TX
Jennifer Criss, Dallas TX
Victor Dogah, Kopeyia, Ghana
Meredith Jones, Dallas TX
Amanda Konkel, Bainbridge Is WA
Latracia Ross, Nashville TN
Ben Al Mateen, Richmond VA
Joshua Bailey, Dallas TX
Heather Blount-Eliott, South Boston VA
Colin Standefer, Fort Smith AR
Kaylee Tifton, Edmonds WA
Lauren Caso, Wakefield MA
Laura Yokozawa, Tokyo Japan

Drummers Kevin Farrell, Hooksett NH
Alex Crook, Gainesville FL
Tareq Rantisi, Ramallah Palestine
Aaron Ramsey, Las Vegas NV
Kyle Duppstadt, North Carolina
Tejah Gowins, Atlanta GA
Bendan Pajak, Portland ME
Pile Taylor, Columbus OH

Student Ensemble
Directed by Jennifer Criss and Ryan Edwards

Dancers Jennifer Criss, Dallas TX
Ebony Franklin, Philadelphia, PA
Latracia Ross, Nashville TN
Joshua Bailey, Dallas TX

Drummers Wendyam Jean Edward Emerson, Woking, UK
Joe Galeota, Faculty
Ryan Edwards, Boston, MA
Bendan Pajak, Portland ME
Steve Jackson, Philadelphia, PA
Dillon Zahner, Marshfield, VT