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Azaguno is a colorful and vibrant Multi-ethnic Ensemble international touring group focusing on research, preservation, education, and performance of traditional African, African American, Caribbean, and Latin American music and dance. The ensemble also creates contemporary intercultural works in new theatrical contexts that fuse the artistic and aesthetic cultural values and resources representative of African experiences in world history. Through the Drum, the Voice, the Dance, and other visual art forms, Azaguno brings a unique African theatrical experience to the stage. Azaguno, "a master drummer" among the Ewe people of Ghana in West Africa, was founded in 2001. The group has eight musicians and 12 dancers. The group is co-founded and directed by Dr. Paschal Yao Younge, a native of Ghana who is currently a professor of world music at Ģ����Ƶ University, and Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge, the dance director and choreographer. Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge was also a former Professor of African Dance and jazz, as well as the director of the School of Dance at Ģ����Ƶ University.

Members have trained and researched extensively in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, and Togo in Africa, as well as in Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States. The group appeared at several national and international festivals and conferences in Canada, China, France, Germany, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. Some of the festivals include 2011 Taiwan International Percussion Convention, Seoul International Drum Festival, Taiwan International Percussion Summer Festival, Sacheon International Percussion Festival, Taiwan International Dance Festival, Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, Hsin Chu Folk Drum International Festival, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Pan-African Historical Theater Festival, Festival International De Jazz De Montreal, Dancing on the Edge Festival, Canada Dance Festival, and France International Folkloric Festival.

The group also represented the US at the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony and Games in Seoul, South Korea, in 2002. These experiences have enabled the group to create intense and intricate polyrhythmic sounds, as well as mesmerizing and electrifying dance movements. Other appearances include Taiwan International Percussion Convention, May 20-29, 2011, African Network Conference, Denison University, April 17, 2010, Workshop at the XI Biennial International, Symposium & Festival of CIMA (Center for Intercultural Music Arts at the Facultad de Educación y Humanidades of Melilla, of the Universidad of Granada: April 7-11, 2010, 
Anderson International Festival, SC, January 29 &30, Yilan International Rain Festival in Taiwan from July 24-August 24, 2009, Lotus Blossom Festival, Bloomington, Indiana, March 23-28, 2009, 
Educational Workshop and Performance, African Music, and Dance, at World 
Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education "Respecting Traditions: Shaping the Future" the Kulin Nation, Melbourne, Australia December 7-11, Performance at the 28TH World Conference of the International Society for Music Education (ISME 2008), Bologna, Italy, July 20-25, 2008, 
Presentation at Africa Meets Asia Conference"- World Music Days - 2nd International Symposium on African and Chinese Music, Co-organized by Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing & Centre for Intercultural Musicology at Churchill College, Cambridge- 6-8 November 2007 Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing. China. The group recently premiered new works in collaboration with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in Hong Kong and China in November 2011 and 2023, as well as with the National Theatre of Ghana in Diema, Aza, and Agoro, at the Festivais and Concert of New Contemporary Music and Dance of Ghana in 2015, 2016, and 2018, respectively. Visit us at: "" or Azaguno on Facebook.

The Ģ����Ƶ University's Bella Voce is a treble chorus made up of talented singers from diverse majors. As a performance group, Bella Voce gives soprano and alto singers at Ģ����Ƶ University an opportunity to study, rehearse, and perform choral repertoire from a wide variety of musical styles and genres – music that is challenging as well as fun! We take pride in our ability to perform collegiate-level choral literature, both accompanied and a cappella, ranging from three to eight parts. Our goal is for each member to grow as a musician and as a performer.As a student organization, the mission of Bella Voce is to create a “family of singers.” Our executive board plans social activities, bigs and littles programs, fundraisers, an annual banquet, and an annual performance tour. Great performing ensembles succeed through a combination of hard-work, dedication, love, and social connection. We believe the bonds of friendship we make transfer to the unity of our sound. We strive to live our motto “In Venustas et Harmonium” (In Beauty and Harmony) through our music.

The Ģ����Ƶ University Percussion Ensembles, led by Roger Braun, have a legacy of excellence and innovation. They’ve performed at many schools, universities, and conferences, including the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in 1999, 2009, 2016, and 2019. Known for Tan Dun’s Elegy: Snow in June and Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Violin and Percussion Orchestra, they appear on the CD “Sticks and Stones: Music for Percussion and Strings.” They started the first jazz percussion ensemble in 1974 and often play world music, especially the Embaire Xylophone music of Uganda.

The Ģ����Ƶ University African Ensemble (OUAE) offers students immersive experiences in African dance and drumming, creating performance opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. It also introduces music and dance majors and minors to non-Western art forms. Through courses like African Ensemble I and II (School of Music) and African Dance Levels I-IV, students explore various musical styles, from work-based to ritual dances from East, West, Central, and Southern Africa. Our repertoire includes traditional dances from countries like Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Togo, Nigeria, Uganda, Benin, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, as well as contemporary dances shaped by the African Diaspora. The Ensemble participates in events like the Ģ����Ƶ University Global Arts Festival and World Music and Dance Concerts at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. The Ensemble was started by Prof. Emerita of Dance Zelma Badu-Younge in 2003 and codirected with Paschal Yao Younge from 2005-2023. The Ensemble is now under the direction of Prof. Paschal Yao Younge.

Jen Wade (Nalette) earned her teaching degree from Ģ����Ƶ University with a minor in dance in 2007. Jen has studied with Joanne Morscher, Dee Hillier, Troy McCarty, David Strobbe, the late Josh Widick, Kenya Woods, Zelma Badu-Younge, Paschal Yao-Younge, the American Theater Dance Workshop in NYC, the faculty of Ģ����Ƶ University, the American Theater School in NYC, Ballet Met, and countless others. Jen was a company member of Azaguno African Dance Company for 7 seasons, which allowed her to perform in New Jersey, Ģ����Ƶ, South Korea, Italy, and Taiwan. Jen has also been highly trained in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, musical theater, Indian dance, and African drumming and dance, and she continues to pursue her training. She has worked in studios in the Cleveland and Columbus areas for the past 19 years. Jen's competition dances have won highly acclaimed awards for groups, trios, and solos.  Jen is also sexual assault advocate for the dance community in Cleveland.  She is also a competition judge and enjoys sharing her knowledge with up-and-coming dancers. Jen is also proudly going into her 18^th school year with Dancing Classrooms, which brings ballroom dance into schools as a social development tool. Her teaching practices have been published in Dance Spirit Magazine and Dance Magazine. She lives in Medina now with her three children, husband, and dog, Casper.

Mustapha Braimah brings a lifelong practice, over two decades of international experience, and high artistic acclaim to his roles as an artist-scholar from Ghana, West Africa. He is a choreographer, educator, curator, performer, musician, and administrator. He holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland, an MA in African Studies from Ģ����Ƶ University, and a BFA in Dance from the University of Ghana, Legon. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at Mount Holyoke College and a faculty member of the Five College Consortium. Before these positions, he served as a Visiting Assistant Professor and Director of the Dance Program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. A staunch member of Azaguno Inc. for over a decade, and has toured both locally and internationally. His artistic practice and creativity are deeply rooted in contemporary, popular, and traditional forms. His work employs diverse virtuosic approaches, including improvisation, to integrate 21st-century skills and creativity. He is the father of two wonderful children, Annika Braimah and Ryder Braimah.

Whitney Jacobs is a dedicated dance educator, choreographer, physical education teacher, and athletic coach based in New Jersey. She earned a BFA in Dance from Ģ����Ƶ University (2005) and an MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2013). Since 2007, her choreography has been presented at venues such as the 14th Street Y, Joyce Soho, and Triskelion Arts, among others. In 2010, she co-received the NYFA BUILD Stability grant, and in 2016, she founded the Jacobs Dance Collective, an organization that creates vibrant contemporary dance works.With 18 years of experience teaching dance, physical education, and coaching soccer, Jacobs has worked at The Trevor Day School and The Brearley School in NYC. Currently, she is a full-time faculty member at Kent Place School in Summit, NJ, where she teaches dance to Primary School students (PreK-5). Jacobs’s teaching philosophy centers on fostering joy, creating inclusive spaces, and encouraging growth through creativity and collaboration, nurturing both artistic and personal development.

Kalie is a graduate of Ģ����Ƶ University, Athens. She earned a minor in dance and a Bachelor's degree in Communication from Scripps College, graduating cum laude. During her time at Ģ����Ƶ University, Kalie also danced with the multicultural dance and drumming group, Azaguno, touring with the group to perform at the International Chihsi Arts Festival in 2009. After graduating from Ģ����Ƶ University, Kalie went back to school to earn her teaching certificate. She now works as a special education teacher and enjoys helping students improve their skills. In her spare time, Kalie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being an aunt to her two nephews, learning new things, exploring the arts, spending time outdoors, and caring for animals.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, percussionist John Meriwether enjoys a diverse career as a performer and educator. His versatility enables him to contribute to a wide range of musical settings, from orchestral performances with the San Antonio Philharmonic to marching bands, steel pan ensembles, musicals, and West African groups. John's international performance experience includes tours to Taiwan, Korea, Ghana, Hong Kong, and numerous locations across the US. As an educator, he currently teaches percussion at Trinity University and has worked with award-winning high school and collegiate ensembles in both Texas and Colorado.

Eric Fountain is the music and tech director at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in St. Petersburg, Florida. His goal is to introduce students to various types of music, providing them with numerous opportunities to learn, produce, and perform music from different cultures. He also started the first Lutheran steel band at Our Savior Lutheran Church, which performed at the Lutheran Music Festival and received Superior Honors. The music department at Our Savior Lutheran School performs several times on and off campus throughout the year.. Fountain graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor's in Arts and Sciences. Before coming to Our Savior Lutheran School in 2006, he studied and worked with Dr. Ellie Mannette, known as the "Father of the Steel Drum," at Mannette Musical Instruments in Morgantown, West Virginia. At Mannette Instruments, Fountain worked as a manufacturer and tuner for the company. There, he was able to work with many music directors and performers, such as Andy Narell, Jeff Narell, Alan Lightner, Tom Miller, and Jim Muzenrider. He continues to build and tune instruments and has traveled to St. Croix, throughout the state of Florida, and the southern parts of the US. Eric is the leading tuner for the Caribbean New Generations Branch in the 2019 Miami Panorama, which the group won overall. He also performs with various groups in Florida. Eric has been a member of Azaguno since 2002. He has participated in the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the African Performing and Visual Arts International Conference, and the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA).

Dr. Brittany Brunty graduated from Ģ����Ƶ University in 2011 with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. She has been a member of Azaguno, Inc. since 2008, and has accompanied the group to Hong Kong, Canada, Ghana, and various states across the US to perform. Brittany graduated with her doctorate in physical therapy from Marshall University in 2020. She formerly worked in the outpatient clinical setting at King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY, and currently works in the acute care and outpatient clinical settings at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, WV. 

Anthonia Chris is a passionate and versatile performing artist, event/ program coordinator, and arts advocate with a background in dance, theatre, and arts administration. Holding a BFA in Dance and Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana and an MA in Community Dance from Ģ����Ƶ University, I bring expertise in performance, interdisciplinary research, Arts Administration, and community engagement. My work integrates traditional African dance forms with contemporary expressions to create performances that inspire dialogue and cultural understanding. With over a decade of experience in acting, teaching, and leading community projects, I am dedicated to empowering the next generation of artists while fostering innovation and social impact through the arts and media. 

Dr. Kristofer Olsen is an Assistant Professor of Arts Education in the Department of Education at Montana State University. He maintains a piano and percussion studio and performs with the Bozeman Symphony, PercOrchestra, Woodsmoke Jazz, and the Gallatin Valley Concert Band, and is the founder of the PanTana Steel Orchestra. Originally from Havre, Montana, he received his BA in Music Education and Mathematics Education from St. Olaf College, MM in Percussion Performance and World Music from West Virginia University, and PhD in Interdisciplinary Arts from Ģ����Ƶ University. He has performed with Azaguno since 2008 throughout the United States, Canada, Italy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Ghana. His research focuses on the creative self-efficacy of pre-service teachers and rural educational spaces.

Makafui Mordedzi was born in Adutor, a small town in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. As a young person, she grew up dancing the traditional folkloric styles of the Ewe people. Showing great talent as a performer, she moved to Accra, eventually joining the National Dance Company at the National Theatre of Ghana, where she served as a featured dancer for over 14 years. Makafui has travelled as a performer across Asia, Europe, North America, as well as throughout the continent of Africa and the Middle East. Makafui now resides in Brooklyn, NY, and since 2022 has shared her culture with students and audiences as a part-time performer and teaching artist in and around NYC. 

Mike Ramsey is a Brooklyn-based drummer and percussionist known for his versatility. Broadway credits include MJ, Hell's Kitchen, Buena Vista Social Club, The Lion King, and many others. Orchestral credits include The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Seoul Philharmonic, and The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. Live music for Camille A. Brown and Dancers, Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble, and others. Guest clinician at Northwestern, MSM, NYU, NCCU, and others. Mike is a BAM teaching artist and a founding member of AZAGUNO, a multi-ethnic African culture group created by his mentor, Dr. Paschal Yao Younge. Please check out the group KALUNGA, whose self-titled debut EP is available on all major platforms.

Originating from Taiwan, Yuju Wei is passionate about dance and appreciates global cultural aesthetics. Studying and dancing with Azaguno at OU is one of her best life experiences. She carries her passion and continues to learn and teach dance in Taiwan. Currently, Yuju lives in California and works as an accounting manager. Dance and music are a way of life that she, as a freelancer, continues to share her appreciation and spirit with her family and students.

Gordon Nunn is a musician who plays the drum set, hand percussion, and steel pan. He has spent his life learning, performing, and teaching percussion traditions from all over the world. He began playing the drum set at the age of eight and, by fifteen, was playing professionally. He went on to study percussion in college. Nunn's bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University laid the foundation for his teaching career, while his master's in percussion from East Carolina University honed his technical skills. His doctoral studies at West Virginia University further deepened his knowledge of global percussion traditions. In addition, he traveled to West Africa and Cuba to study West African and Afro-Cuban drumming. This solid educational foundation, as well as his nearly twenty years as a performing and touring musician, paved the way for his diverse career, including his role as interim director of West Virginia University's World Music Center from 2005-2008, and his work over the past seventeen years as a performer, educator, and dance accompanist in Pittsburgh. He has been a member of Azaguno since its inception. 

With a deep-rooted passion for the arts and over a decade of professional dance experience from 1990 to 2000, Betty Ramsay brings a unique blend of creative insight and business acumen to the dance performance world. During their early career, Betty Ramsay performed with various companies, developing a strong foundation in movement, performance, and collaborative creation. While her professional path led to a successful 30-year career in real estate, Betty Ramsay has remained deeply connected to the community through ongoing leadership and advocacy. She previously served as Chair of the Board for Cedar Centre, a nonprofit supporting trauma recovery, and currently sit on the Board of Directors for Equity Credit Union. These roles reflect her commitment to ethical leadership, financial stewardship, and community well-being—values she also brings to the performing arts sector. Betty Ramsay is excited to contribute their diverse experience to support and uplift the dance community, blending their love for the art form with a strong sense of purpose and professionalism.

Kevin began his music career as a percussion student at West Virginia University, where he first met Dr. Paschal Younge during his first year as a music major. Kevin quickly developed a passion for world music and international percussion styles, and he joined Dr. Younge's University-led class as a dancer. This group soon became a family to him throughout his university training experience. Kevin holds a minor in music education from WVU, along with a Master of Social Work, where he serves local rural populations in remote mountainous areas. Kevin has toured with the WVU ensemble to places such as Taipei, Taiwan (hosted by Ju Percussion), and has also toured as an occasional supporting performer with Azaguno. In many ways, Azaguno is family, and Kevin is humbled and honored to be able to join them again. Kevin Shon is currently a resident of Montana, where he serves as a local musician, mountain guide, and mental health therapist.

Nicholas Kankam Opoku Bediako is a graduate student in the Community Dance program at Ģ����Ƶ University, building on his extensive background in arts and performance. His academic journey and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of both creative practice and organizational leadership. Currently, he is channeling his passion for innovation through his project Dancing Your Game to Life. This project uniquely aspires to merge video game technologies with African traditional dance, redefining narrative and cultural expression by bridging contemporary digital media with time-honored artistic traditions. Nicholas's work explores how these seemingly disparate fields can inform and enrich each other, creating new spaces for creative storytelling and community engagement.

Tiffany Wesley Plear is a dynamic dancer, educator, and community leader whose passion for movement and culture has taken her across the globe. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from West Virginia University, where she was a spirited member of the WVU Dance Team. While at WVU, she studied African Drum and Dance under Dr. Paschal Younge and performed with him throughout West Virginia, across the United States, and internationally in Taiwan and Korea. She performed with the inaugural group under the name Azaguno, helping to lay the foundation for what would become a celebrated African performance ensemble. For the past decade, she has served as a dance and cheer coach at West Virginia State University. Over the last 20 years, she has taught and coached for various groups, including Upward Bound, while also appearing in numerous local stage productions. Beyond the stage, Tiffany has worked as a certified investigator and coalition coordinator, and has served her community as a city councilwoman in West Virginia. She currently serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator at WV Health Right, where she integrates dance into wellness programming, using movement as a joyful and accessible form of exercise. Tiffany is a proud wife to Jeffrey Plear, Sr., and the devoted mother of Alexandria, Joe'lle, and Jeffrey Jr.

Megan Tedrick is a dance educator and arts integration specialist from Columbus. She has been on the faculty of BalletMet's Education department and Academy since 2015; her teaching credits include creative movement, ballet, modern, composition, jazz, and Pilates. Ms. Tedrick holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Master of Arts in Community Dance from Ģ����Ƶ University; during her tenure there, she taught as an adjunct for the dance department. Ms. Tedrick has presented her work on inclusive practices and student agency within ballet technique at the Ģ����ƵDance Festival since 2021. Currently, Ms. Tedrick serves as the Education Programs Coordinator for BalletMet, where she continues to develop teaching strategies for integrating dance with Ģ����Ƶ learning standards for elementary education. 

Matthew Simmers is an alumnus of Ģ����Ƶ University who graduated with a BA Degree in 2015. He owns Simple Change Productions, which provides audio and video services for weddings, concerts, private events, corporate events, and music videos. Overall, his favorite pastime is to dance. He was on tour with Azaguno twice during his time at Ģ����Ƶ University, and in his words, "it was the best time of my life, the memories and connections I made while on tour were priceless." Today, he has influence in many different fields, from worldwide ministry to film production and entertainment. Names that he has worked with include Calvin Klein, Amazon, Ģ����Ƶ University, Ģ����Ƶ State University, Bowling Green, Aroc Entertainment, Dave & Buster's, The WNCAA All Stars, and CFA Cheer, among others. His most significant influences in dance were individuals such as Dave Scott, Chris Brown, Laurie Ann Gibson, and the Les Twins. 

Tracey Whorton studied percussion under Phil Faini at West Virginia University and currently teaches steelpan at Urban Pathways Charter School in Pittsburgh, PA. Before her current job, she taught the drumline at South Allegheny High School and privately at Drum World. She has also played drums and percussion for several schools and universities, including Point Park University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University. She continues to find opportunities to play and study all types of percussion instruments and can be found playing drums in the rock band Dichro, on percussion with the Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band Let's Groove Tonight, and with Yacht Rocket.

Ishmael is an interdisciplinary Ghanaian artist hailing from La, a prominent town in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. His artistic journey began with an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Education, Winneba. He was recruited to the United States, where he pursued his academic goals further, earning an M.A. in International Studies from Ģ����Ƶ University, as well as an MFA in Dance with an Interdisciplinary Specialization in Fine Arts from The Ģ����Ƶ State University. Currently, Ishmael holds the position of Assistant Professor of Dance at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Additionally, he contributes his expertise as a Dance Faculty member for the prestigious Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. Before moving to the United States, Ishmael honed his craft with the National Dance Company of Ghana at the National Theatre of Ghana. His research interests center on the promotion of Ghanaian cultural values, with a keen focus on exploring the intricate relationship and intersectionality between performance and traditional Ghanaian cultural practices. Currently, his artistic pursuits delve into the fusion of traditional Ghanaian storytelling with contemporary dance forms, aiming to create immersive communal experiences that celebrate Ghanaian heritage and identity. Ishmael has performed at renowned venues including, Sadler’s Wells Theatre (London- UK), Lincoln Theatre (Columbus, OH) National Theatre of Ghana, National Conference Center, and Alliance Français (Accra- Ghana).

Nii-Tete Yartey is a choreographer, performer, and educator whose work spans traditional African dance, contemporary performance, and cross-cultural collaboration. He holds a Master of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Fine Art, and a Diploma in Dance Studies from the University of Ghana, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. on migration, culture, and dance. Since 2015, he has served as Director of the Noyam African Dance Institute and, since 2018, Creative Director of NTY-Studios, where he develops new work and mentors emerging artists.  In 2025 he was appointed to the Board of the National Theatre of Ghana, and in 2024 he joined Ashesi University as adjunct faculty. Earlier, from 2013 to 2018, he was Artistic Director of the National Dance Company of Ghana, where he led productions that toured internationally and celebrated Ghana’s national milestones. His choreography has been commissioned for major cultural and corporate events including Ghana’s 60th Independence Day, the Annual Osagyefo Awards, EMY Africa Awards, the GUBA Awards, and international collaborations such as Niyati, Agoro, Chain Stories, Flying Solo, and most recently Unfinished Tales and Warm Bodies. Recent works include Fawohodie (2025), Fire of Hope (2025), The Second Coming of Nkrumah (2023), and Mansa Musa (2023). Alongside his creative practice, Nii-Tete has taught and lectured widely, from the Design and Technology Institute in Accra to institutions in the US and Europe including the University of California, Ģ����Ƶ University, and the University of Dubuque. His workshops and residencies focus on African dance as both a living tradition and a platform for innovation. He continues to appear as a performer, most recently in the 2024 theatre production In the Chest of a Woman, and has been a regular judge on Ghana’s popular television show Talented Kids since 2021.Through choreography, teaching, and research, Nii-Tete Yartey is shaping how African dance is experienced and understood in Ghana and across the world, using movement to explore culture, history, and migration.

Alidu Alhassan is a veteran dancer, choreographer, and cultural educator from Tamale, Ghana. Since joining the National Dance Company of Ghana in 1997, he has risen through the ranks to become one of its principal performers, known for his mastery of traditional and contemporary African dance, flute, drumming, and choreography. His artistic journey began in the cultural groups of Tamale, where he honed skills in dance, music, and performance that continue to shape his artistry today. Over the past three decades, he has performed and taught across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America, representing Ghana at global stages including Expo 2000 in Hanover, Expo 2010 in Shanghai, the FIFA World Cup in South Africa (2010), Dance Africa Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (2023), and workshops in Switzerland and the University of Oregon (2024). At the National Theatre of Ghana, Alhassan has contributed to landmark productions such as Musu: Saga of the Slaves, Bukom, Solma, ����ã, Agoro, and Alkebulan’s Awakening. His collaborations with choreographers and directors from Ghana, the Caribbean, the US, Europe, and Israel reflect his ability to bridge cultural traditions with contemporary performance. In addition to performing, he supervises and trains younger dancers, researches Ghanaian dance traditions, and leads workshops and master classes locally and abroad. His vision is to inspire young people by combining rigorous training with creativity, equipping them with the tools to thrive as artists. Alidu Alhassan remains a central figure in Ghana’s dance landscape—a performer, teacher, and cultural ambassador whose work continues to celebrate and expand the possibilities of  Ghanaian and African dance.

Janelle Williams is a Strategic HR Partner with the West Virginia University Division of Talent and Culture, where she provides strategic planning, executive coaching, and organizational development services. As the Regional Strategic HR Partner, her client areas consist of WVU Institute of Technology, WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement and WVU Potomac State College. With a career spanning over two decades, Janelle specializes in human resources strategy, leadership development, and culture transformation initiatives for both higher education and community-based organizations. She holds a Master of Science in Adult and Technical Education from Marshall University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from West Virginia University. Janelle is a certified Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Organizational Development Certified Professional (ODCP), People and Culture Strategy Institute (PCSI) Strategic HR Business Partner and Gallup Strengths Coach. Williams actively contributes to professional and civic organizations including the Association for Talent Development, The Links, Incorporated, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Dedicated to lifelong learning and community service, Janelle also enjoys performing with the Charleston Light Opera Guild and participating in outreach programs that uplift and educate her community.

International performing and recording artist Dr. Erik Forst is the Director of Percussion Studies at Messiah University, where he oversees all aspects of the Percussion Area, including teaching Applied Percussion, directing the Messiah University Percussion Ensemble, and teaching both graduate and undergraduate percussion methods.  In addition to his duties at Messiah, Dr. Forst maintains a healthy performing schedule as a soloist, clinician, and recording artist both nationally and internationally, having most recently given clinics and solo performances in Hong Kong and Accra, Ghana.  His debut solo album, “My Little Island,” was released on the Mark Masters label in December of 2021.   

Dr. Forst is also in demand as a Percussionist and Timpanist throughout the East Coast, serving as the Principal Timpanist with the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra, as well as performing regularly with groups such as the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Allentown Symphony Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet, and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, where he served as Principal Percussionist from 2011-2013.   

An ardent supporter of new music, Dr. Forst has been involved in the commissioning of several new works by composers such as Kevin Bobo, Ivan Trevino, James Romig, Steven Snowden, and James Boznos. In November of 2016, Dr. Forst gave the world premiere of Kevin Bobo’s new concerto for marimba and Wind Ensemble, entitled “Architecture of a Dream,” a piece he commissioned with the assistance of a consortium of schools from across the country, and he gave the Pennsylvania Premiere of Keiko Abe’s “Song of Tree” in April of 2017 at the PA Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion.

An active member of the Percussive Arts Society, Dr. Forst has served both as the President and Vice President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of PAS and held a seat on the Education Committee.  His teachers include Timothy K. Adams Jr., Kevin Bobo, and Dr. Thomas McCutchen.  He is an active performer and clinician for Marimba One Marimbas, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Evans drum heads. 

Agya Boakye-Boaten, Ph.D., is a respected higher education leader known for his ability to blend the roles of teacher, scholar, and management professional to create meaningful change. With a strong academic background in interdisciplinarity, he is an expert in 21st-century education, global education, curriculum development, faculty excellence, enrollment and retention, workplace well-being, and conflict resolution. As the former Dean of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at the University of North Carolina Asheville, former chair of the Interdisciplinary/International Studies department, and former director of the Africana Studies program, Agya is dedicated to shaping modern education and empowering students with contemporary learning methods to navigate today's rapidly changing world. His work demonstrates a deep commitment to removing barriers, closing opportunity gaps, and addressing societal challenges. His influence as a leader, scholar, and advocate for positive change is rooted in collective effort. Agya is deeply committed to social justice and educational equity, actively engaging in community development and volunteering to empower marginalized communities. His advocacy and public scholarship reflect his dedication to making a positive impact beyond academia. His collaborative spirit and dedication to mentorship make him a valuable member of the educational community. His influence extends within academia and beyond, fostering a sense of shared purpose and inclusion. He has also been a U.S. Fulbright Scholar and a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, among other notable accomplishments. Agya holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies with an emphasis on Cultural Studies, an M.A. in Political Science (focusing on International Relations), and an M.A. in International Affairs (specializing in African Studies), all from Ģ����Ƶ University. He also earned his B.A. (Hons) in Social Work and Administration, as well as a degree in Political Science, from the University of Ghana, Legon. Currently, Agya serves as the inaugural Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at SUNY Geneseo.