Manimou Camara's strength as a dynamic performing artist and teacher lies in his strong roots with some of Guinea, West Africa's most beloved performing groups; Ballet Merveille and Ballet Saamato. His primary education was spent with Sekou Dico Sylla (now a Vancouver, BC resident), Karamoko Daman (Karamo Dama, sangban recording artist for Mamady Keita) and nationally recognized Ballet Saamato. He has played lead dunduns for Kemoko Sano's world reknowned Ballet Merveille and conducted rhythm and dance camps for people from Europe, Japan, and the United States. Manimou now resides in the Seattle metropolitan area where he shares his passion for dance, rhythms, and life.

Cameron Tummel is an internationally renowned rhythm circle facilitator and instructional recording artist. Cameron has hosted interactive events for Patagonia, Mercedes Benz, the World Scholar Athlete Games, and dozens of American universities and school campuses, and is an enthusiastic participant in the World Rhythm Festival annually. Tummel has performed with legendary drummers Babatunde Olatunji, Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, and Jose "Pepe" Danza. His professional training includes a thirteen-year apprenticeship with Arthur Hull, a nine-year apprenticeship with grand master drummer Abdoulaye Diakite, and he is now studying with Senegalese master drummer Malik Sow. Cameron produced the play-along instructional CD “Fundamental Djembe” in 2007, a melodic world percussion album "Waterfire," in 2009, and released "Fundamental Djembe SOLOS 4/4 Volume One" in 2011. Tummel is currently recording new tracks for upcoming volumes of the “Fundamental Djembe SOLOS” series. Cameron lives in Santa Barbara, and also enjoys video production, writing, and surfing. More info, music and videos at: www.CameronTummel.com

Michael Clark, a professional musician, accomplished djembe instructor, performer, author and recording artist, is a firm believer in the empowerment of the drum to transform lives and bring people together. Following his own drum journey for more than 15 years, he now assists others in following their unique path through teaching and playing the djembe. Currently based in Sandpoint Idaho, Michael has founded African-style drum and dance troupes in Idaho, toured England for three years with RhythmWorks4U a company he created, and is the founder of the OutLaw Drummer Band. He is currently teaching drum classes weekly in Sandpoint and conducting facilitated drum circles throughout the Inland Northwest with his company DRUMatic Innovation.

Abass Camara is a master drummer from Guinea, West Africa. He has been a professional musician since the age of 15 and has played with a number of prominent ballets (drum and dance troops) in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Along with his performance skills he was the Music Director and Music Instructor for Watafre, the Ballet he and three other artists started in Conakry seven years ago. This means that he was in charge of arranging all of the music as well as teaching not only the members of the Ballet but also the apprentice drummers. Since coming to the United States, Abass has performed all over Midwest and taught students from PhD candidates at universities to pre-K students. Abass loves to perform but he has a passion for teaching his culture and his music.

Johnny Conga has been a performing musician for over 48 years and has worked with Major Artists such as Sergio Mendes,Paquito D'Rivera, Gloria and Emilio Estefan,Mongo Santamaria,Willie Bobo, and many many others. Johnny has created what he calls a "Conga Camp/Intensive" where u can actually live in his home(room and board included)and study with him for 6 hours a day. His "attendee's" of his CC/I have come from Australia,England, Ireland, Curacao, Puerto Rico and even from Cuba. He has taught at the Univerity of Miami-Dept. of Percussion, Cornish College of the Arts, Pacific Lutheran University and Music Works Northwest, and now is Adjunct faculty at Shoreline Community College. Part of Johnny's teaching involves Neuro Linguistic Programming( specifically created in order to allow us to do magic by creating new ways of understanding how verbal and non-verbal communication affect the human brain. As such it presents us all with the opportunity to not only communicate better with others, but also learn how to gain more control over what we considered to be automatic functions of our own neurology.)through the Conga drum.

Medea is most well known for her performances as a fusion belly dance soloist, but has over seven years experience dancing in the North West in Renaissance Faires, the SCA, and with a troupe she co-directed called 'Tribe Shakti'. She loves to blur the lines between different styles of music and dance to create her own interpretation using bits of Tribal Fusion, Gothic Fusion, and even hip hop for a more modern touch and alternative flair. She has made it her mission to study with as many of her favorite dancers as possible and work on her own unique style and technique as a solo artist. She has taught several workshops focused on fusion bellydance, emphasizing musicality and dancer's intuition...and is excited to be joining the SWPS crew in this year's festival!

Naby Camara, a master musician/teacher from West Africa, Guinea-born balafonist grew up in a traditional Griot family and was the official balafonist of the Federal troupe of Conakry. He played with Fatala, Les Merve, Mandeng Yahara, and performed/taught with Les Ballet African de Guinea and holds a certificate from Mamady Keita. He is the recipient of two Juno awards (Canadian Grammy). Naby brings years of knowledge, training, and a global touring experience. Naby’s group, Lagni Sussu, has originally composed, dynamic rhythms & songs coming from an over 1,000 year artistic tradition. Well versed on the 21-barred balafon, dundun, and djembe, his modernistically traditional style of music and song acknowledge history, honor to ancestors, joy and praise to events and people, and human conditions found worldwide. All ages and cultures of people enjoy the bright, joyful, rhythmic sounds of this music. It touch’s the hearts, minds, ears, and souls of all peoples. Naby Camara and Lagni Sussu bring audiences of all ages and cultures to their feet. To hire Naby for a performance/Balafon or djembe instruction call 206-786-5214

Blake has been teaching, playing, and performing for 13 years. He is schooled in African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, songs, and dances. He believes that drumming and dance is for everyone, regardless of who you are or where you come from. The drum is our teacher, healer, and friend. May the drum and dance lead us back to wholeness!