Francis is a performer and educator from Ghana, West Africa. Born and raised in the melting pot neighborhood of New Town, Francis grew up in an environment bursting with the sights and sounds of Ghana’s many ethnic groups. During his almost two decades as an instructor at the University…
Winnie Wong was born in Hong Kong and raised in San Francisco, CA. She started her training on the guzheng in 1982 at the age of four under the expertise of guzheng virtuoso, Ms. Weishan Liu. At the age of 5, she had her first debut. The unconditional bond between…
Makeda Kumasi (MFA / M.Ed) is the founder of WE 3 PRODUCTIONS, as well as the co-founder and artistic director of The Umoja Ensemble of the Inland Empire. Along with being a featured performer on stage and T.V., Kumasi has danced for two prominent Southern California based African dance ensembles,…
Duygu Gün (pronounced as doo-EE-goo GOON). I am an arts professional, musician, artist, and curator from Turkey. With a desire to explore cultures and traditions around the world, I set on the road in 2006 and have lived in Italy, the UK, Germany, the US, and briefly in Brazil. While…
Kamini is an Indian Classical Hindustani Vocalist, composer and teacher based in Los Angeles area. She likes to incorporate various global sounds into her music. She truly believes that music unites and brings us closer. Her journey of music was initiated by her mother. Kamini spent over a decade learning…
Drawn between silence/sound, d. haejin bang’s transdisciplinary and community work is currently based within occupied Tongva land (otherwise known as Los Angeles) and corea. Born and raised in Koreatown, LA, their explorations revolve around the voice, body, and Silence. Their main focus underlines gaps and the interjacent: How can we…
For over four decades, proud daughter of Oaxaqueños, Maria Luisa Colmenarez has played a large role in ensuring Mexican folk dance remains accessible to the community while advocating for a larger presence in the performing arts space. She currently serves as the executive director of Danzantes Unidos de California, a…
Guru Vidushi Smt. Naina Shastri is the Artistic Director of Ushanjali School of Dance, a premier Tri Valley-East Bay based South Indian Classical Dance academy. Students are trained in the Mysuru style of Bharatanatya and taught both theoretical and practical aspects of this ancient art form. Students of Ushanjali have…
Surabhi Bharadwaj, Artistic Director of Siddhi Creative and Siddhi Dance Academy, is a seasoned Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and choreographer trained under eminent Gurus including – Guru K M Raman, Guru Radha Sridhar, Guru B Bhanumati, and Mavin Khoo. She learnt the Karana movements under Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and Guru Nirupama…
Evie Ladin is a percussive-dancer, choreographer, singer, songwriter, banjo player and square-dance caller with a lifetime of experience in traditional American cultural arts and intercultural music/dance performance and education. Based in Oakland, CA, Evie grew up in a traditional folk scene on the East Coast of the US, and early…