Thione Diop, master drummer from Senegal West Africa has taught and performed in the Seattle area for the last 5 years. He specializes in djembe but also plays the Djun Djun, sabar and tama. Thione was raised in the Griot tradition and has extensive knowledge of West African rhythms. He performs with his percussion ensemble Yeke Yeke and is also a member of the band Iguales. Thione has an instructional DVD and several CD's, one of them newly released after a recent recording session in Senegal with many master musicians.

Matt Dressler is a professional percussionist and educator specializing in Afro-Cuban musical traditions. His performance credits include Bumbershoot, Folklife and the World Rhythm Festivals. He continues to study the art of drumming with master drummers from around the world and teaches weekly classes in Seattle.

Field of specialization :- Kathak Dance Qualification :- * High School (1977) * Intermediate (1980) * Bachelor of Arts (1984) * Kathak Nipun (1988) * Vocal Prathama (2000) * Master of Arts (Kathak) (2002) * PHD. (Kathak) [Submitted] (2008) Professional Training :- 20 years of Traditional Training of Kathak Dance with “Guru Shishya Parampara” [Pupil and Teacher Tradition]. In the style of ‘Lucknow Gharana’ Given by the “Late Shri Bhopi Maharaj” “Late Shri Subhash Dixit” & “Pandit Birju Maharaj” Professional Experience :- Working as a Lecturer in Bhatkhande University from 16th March, 2000 [Experience of Lectureship for more than 9 years till now]

Dennis Richards is a dancer, performer, and teacher of Cuban salsa which is also known as Casino. Although he has been dancing all his life, Dennis began learning Casino in Buenos Aires Argentina in 1996. He also dances and teaches Rueda de Casino, Bachata and Body Movement for Dancers. Dennis has studied dance in Havana, Vancouver, and locally for the last 9 years. His focus is on allowing each person to develop their personal feel for the music and to help his students continue to mature as dancers.

Daniel Pitta (Mestre Pitta) is a native of Salvador, Brazil. Daniel is co-owner of Bahia In Motion, a Seattle-based organization offering classes in Capoeira, Brazilian dance, Zumba fitness and tours to Brazil. Daniel's classes transmit the vibrant energy of Brazil. Get ready to dance, sweat and smile! Bahia In Motion has partnered this year with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Spectrum Dance Theater, the Overlake School and Cornish College of the Arts. For more information, please visit bahiainmotion.com

Adama started dancing at the age of 6 with her brother who is also a professional dancer and has a dance group in Senegal. While she was touring throughout Senegal with the dance company, she competed in many dance competitions, eventually taking the trophy for best dancer at a competition at the Sorano theatre in Dakar, besting dancers from all parts of Senegal. In 1986 she was selected to join a dance troop to represent her home town of Ziguinchor in the Casamance area of Senegal. In 1988 she joined the Woulaba dance company and in 1990 she was named best dancer of the year and held that title for three years. In 1995 she joined the dance company, Fambonding, and has remained with the company to the present. Fambonding functions as a dance school as well as a performance group, and she has instructed many Europeans and Americans in African dance. She is familiar with many African dances, among them, lenjen, bougarabou, akonkon, doundounba, mendiani, kotoba, soko, sabar, jambadon, ching, and many more.

Brianca Delaney-Yemoyali of The House of Yemoyali is an emerging performance artist that shares art as an avenue of healing, self-discovery and creative expression. She began writin poetry at the age of 5 and eventually gained her Master's Degree in Human Communications and Advanced Certification in Creative Writing at the University of Denver in 2003. Although she has health challenges surrounding PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) she hopes to inspire others to find the courage and creative ways to follow their dreams in harmony with such health challenges. She produced a documentary called, Healing My Broken Womb in 2007 and is currently working on a one woman show called Giving Birth to Death - A Warrior's Journey of Love.

Alseny “Michel” Diallo is a master djembe player and talented performing artist from Guinea West Africa. He has been working in the Guinean Music scene for over 15 years, performing in different ballets, participating in festivals and competitions as well as showcasing in Guinea's largest theatres, “Le Centre Nimbia” and “Le Centre Culturel.” Alseny Diallo has been the lead soloist djembe player for various ballets since the age of 12. Alseny's musical talents has also led him to perform at many significant cultural events with such ballets as “Le Ballet Taille”, “Les Ballet Africain Juniors”, “Le Ballet Kokuri”, “Le Tempo” and “L’Oiseau Blanc”. Alseny has been in Canada since 2007 establishing his own group Kikeyambay, a West African drum and dance troupe as well as a 12 person Electric Orchestra fusing the traditional rhythms with the contemporary new age sounds coming out of Guinea. They perform around BC at theaters, schools, festivals and private events. Besides his own projects, he has also been seen performing with other groups such as Alpha YaYa Diallo, N'Nato Camara and Naby Camara around Canada.

Dennis Maberry is a versatile percussionist who has studied a variety of traditional percussion methods including African, Afro Cuban, Haitian, Middle Eastern Frame Drum, and the rhythmic concepts of India. By blending these influences into a rhythmic stew Dennis has created a rhythmical style that is distinctively his own. Dennis is the author of the popular instructional book "Drum Circle Grooves" and the new follow up "Beyond Drum Circle Grooves". His latest cd "Rhythmspirit" features several special guests including percussionist Gordy Ryan, Tor Dietrichson, Bill Matthews, and Judy Piazza among others.Dennis has started recording his newest cd which will feature several special guests including drummer Ben Smith from the rock band "Heart".

Guinean Master Dancer Mohamed Andre Duranteau joined his first performing Guinean ballet, "L'Ensemble Instrumentale de Kakimbo," at 15 years old. Here, Mohamed developed his skills as a singer, drummer and dancer, travelling and performing around the country until 1996 when he moved on to join the award winning group, “Ballet Taille.” Mohamed worked as lead dancer for this group for 10 years, under the direction of Mamadouba Camara, former lead soloist for “Ballet Djoliba” and “Les Ballets Africains” during the same era as legendary djembefola Mamady Keita. Mohamed was also a lead dancer and stage director for “Ballet Kali” and a dancer in “Ballet Aklusso de Grand Bassam” a unique and Afro-Contemporary style ballet from the Ivory Coast. Mohamed moved to Victoria, BC, in Canada in 2007 and since then has created a successful drum & dance school and performance troupe called “Wontanara Drum & Dance.” (www.wontanaradrumdance.ca) Mohamed now teaches and performs throughout BC and has become a respected and popular performing artist in his Guinean and Canadian community, both young and old.

Dora Oliveira has performed and taught Afro-Brazilian dance for over 30 years. Her career as a professional dancer began in 1976 when she joined renowned Brazilian folkloric dance troupe, Exaltao Bahia. Dora teaches a repertoire that ranges from Afro-Brazilian dance forms through jazz, ballet, and modern dance. After obtaining a professional dance degree from the prestigious Federal University of Brazil, Dora has toured the world as the principal dancer with Olodum the world famous samba bloco. She was also featured on the opening credits and Brazilian dance episode of the PBS "Dancing" series. Currently, she continues to tour as lead dancer with Ocheami and Show Brazil.