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.

Bill Matthews is a devoted student and teacher of African and Afro-Caribbean drum rhythms. Bill is the owner of the Fremont Drum Shop/School, which offers a wide variety of hand drums and classes. He is the author of several books, videos and CDs on traditional rhythms in a clear, easy to read format. For over 10 years Bill has been teaching beginning through advanced drum classes.

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]

Mamadou Thioub was born in Dakar, Senegal, son of Meissa Thioub, master drummer and director of Ballet African Sangomar. Within a long-established Griot tradition, Mamadou inherited the rhythms, dances, stories and songs that comprise Senegalese history. He studied these from childhood and is now passing the tradition to the next generation--both in the United States and in Senegal. Mamadou lives in Depoe Bay, Oregon with his wife and children. He teaches weekly drum classes in Newport and Corvallis, and periodic workshops in Bend and Portland. Mamadou is deeply committed to working with children, and has established strong ties with Oregon educators as a returning artist-in-residence in many schools. Mamadou collaborates with several dance companies: Loveness Dance Troupe of Portland, Gabrielle Eggstein: West African Dance and Pacific Dance Ensemble, both of Newport, Oregon.

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.

Music is in her blood. Shaped from the rhythms that dance through her veins, Melena, born in Havana Cuba, has mastered the traditional rhythms that have traveled from Africa to Cuba, to the dance floors of America. Her Afro/Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies which she plays with fierce passion. Melena is presently recording her first album. Melena has been on tour with Pop/R&B vocalist Macy Gray, Julio Iglesias, Barry White, Latin pop artist Chayanne; performed with Stevie Wonder and with her biggest inspiration, Giovanni Hidalgo. Melena has also recorded a PBS special with John Tesh. Melena began her formal training in LA studying with Master percussionist Luis Conte. Melena has returned to Cuba several times, studying with the "Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba", Mario Jauregui, Regino Jimenez, Lazaro Ros, Roberto Vizcaino Guillot, Miguel "Anga" Diaz, Jose Miguel Melendez and with master percussionists of Conjunto Clave y Guaguanco. In 2000, Melena studied bata drums with Master Daniel Herrera, and congas with Yaroldy Abreu and Adel Gonzales, percussionists with Chucho Valdes and Irakere, and Jose "Pepe" Espinosa, percussionist of the Afro Cuban All Stars.

Percussion artist/educator Mark Powers has performed and studied drumming throughout the United States, China, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Ghana, West Africa. He shares his passion for rhythm through private lessons and workshops for schools, businesses, correctional institutions and community events. Mark's diverse list of performing and recording credits includes appearances with Corey Sterling (of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band), Rick Nielsen (of Cheap Trick), and Devon Evans (of Bob Marley & the Wailers) and America’s Polka King- the late Frankie Yankovic. He has written educational articles for Modern Drummer, Percussive Notes, Mel Bay, World Percussion & Rhythm and Fever Pitch magazines, and has published seven original percussion compositions. He is also former co-holder of the Guinness World Record for Longest Drum Roll by a Group. Visit Mark online at: www.powerspercussion.com

Mohammed teaches music to children in the public schools, as well as lecturing in the Ethnomusicology Department at the University of Washington. Mr. Shaibu's previous claims to fame include his work with Fela Kuti, I.K. Dairo, O.J. Ekemode, the Nigerian All-Stars, Tony Allen, and Baba Olatunji.

Hailing from Santiago, Chile, Sandi founded Drum Mama Studios in 2004, a hand drumming school in Vancouver. She's a passionate instructor, rhythm-circle facilitator, accompanist & performer. Sandi's a long-time member of Pepe Danza’s Drum Prayers & founding member of Diva Drum, an all-female rhythm troupe. She studied dance for 12 yrs & was a dance accompanist at many of the finest studios in Vancouver incl. 10 years at Arts Umbrella. To learn about Drum Mama Studios visit http://youtu.be/kZDQXFGybIM and visit her website at www.DrumMama.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.

Juliet McMains, PhD is a dance scholar and artist who specializes in partner dance forms. She brings a broad array of perspectives to her teaching, drawn from over twenty years teaching dance, including salsa, ballroom, swing, ballet, jazz, and modern. Her passion is the playful interaction between dancers as they react to each other and musicians on the social dance floor. Juliet has been teaching salsa since 1997 and has introduced thousands of students to the excitement and joy of improvisational social dancing. Her first book Glamour Addiction: Inside the American Ballroom Dance Industry received the Congress on Research in Dance 2008 Outstanding Publication Award. Juliet is currently writing a book that about mambo/salsa history based on nearly one hundred interviews she has conducted with mambo/salsa dancers. Juliet has a Ph.D. is Dance History and Theory from the University of California at Riverside and a B.A. in Women’s Studies from Harvard University. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Dance Program at the University of Washington.

Bhangra and Bollywood Dance with Mollie! Mollie started dancing when she was just 2 years old and performing at 2 1/2. She started learning classical and folk Indian style dance 8, and has never stopped. Her impressive resume includes performing for the President of the US and of India, dancing internationally, dancing for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., winning first place in dance competitions, and much more. Mollie is renowned for her expressive nature and her choreography. After many years of performing, she retired from performing on stage. She has over 20 years of experience in teaching dance. She focuses on teaching her original choreography of traditional folk, Bhangra, Bollywood, with classical mixed in. She offers dance classes at Motion and Rest in Ballard on Mondays and Thursdays. She is also available for private lessons and leading parties. She has a few select students whom she recommends for performances. No matter what she is doing or who she is teaching, her motto is to have fun and let the dance move you! So, come Dance with Mollie.

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!

Directed by Aaminah, Anwaar is a progressive fusion bellydance troupe, mixing multiple styles of bellydance with a touch of contemporary. Their repetoire includes a variety of dynamic choreographies, some with props like swords or short staffs, as well as group improvisation. Whether it's to traditional folkloric, Arabic pop, or gritty progressive music, they mix it up and always keep it interesting.

Miguel Bernal is a Cuban Folklorist Musician who brings students a wealth of knowledge about percussion and it's cultural orgins. From Havana, he was the principle percussionist for "Raices Profundas," a top notch folkloric dance company, for 20 years. Miguel has toured and taught all over the globe,specializing in bata, conga, song, clave, cajon and guiro. He has been featured on highly acclaimed CDs such as Carmello, and Drum Jam. In 2006, he took first place in an international percussion contest, "Festival del Tambor." Miguel resides in Portland, Oregon where he teaches a weekly song class (Orisha/rumba,) private and group lessons, and performs with his his group ODDUARA.

Mori, a San Francisco Bay Area, California Native was introduced to dance at a very young age.Her experience begin in early elementary education where she was introduced to modern, ballet and African dance techniques. During these formitable years under the direction of Evelyn Thomas, she became apart of Nuba Dance Theatre of Oakland, California. As a member of Nuba Dance Theatre she had the opportunity to travel and perform with the dance company at various art festivals throughout the country as well as locally. Upon entering highschool at Berkeley High she took advantage of the opportunity to continue her study of African dance techniques through the highschool's African American Studies Department, Afro-Hatian Dance Classes under Anisa and Zach & Naomi Diouf. Today, Mori continues to develop her passion and craft by attending a multitude of dance classes that include techniques of latin based dance, African and Hip-Hop. She is a certified fitness instructor through AFAA and has certifications to teach Zumba and Turbo Kickboxing. Her hope is to inspire others the way she has been inspired in her quest to learn more about movement and dance of the body.

Since the age of three, Maura's study of Dance, Yoga and Art have fueled her passion for expressive movement. She dedicates her life to this movement, letting each moment be a creative evolution guided by her heart. She believes movement is one of the many potent keys to all of the beautiful complexities and simplicities in this synchranistic universe.

Maiensy Sanchez has been teaching popular Cuban music and dance for more than 10 years. Her teaching method incorporates her background in socio-cultural anthropology and thirteen years of professional music training. To her, dance is among the most beautiful forms of individual and social expression. Furthermore, as a born and raised Cuban, she has experienced first-hand the value of dance as a form of cultural contestation. She makes a conscious effort to create a class environment that is as meaningful as it is entertaining by sharing her personal insight into the heart of Cuban culture: its people, its history, its magic. Dance training: ballet, jazz, modern dance, flamenco, West African dance. Summary of performances: World Rhythm Festival, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Arts West's Theater, Rainier Valley Cultural Center, Fundraising for the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Folklife Festival, New Orleans International Ballet Conference, Benaroya Hall. Maiensy has also worked in collaboration with the Seattle International Children’s Festival. She is currently teaching in the Seattle area. You can contact her in Facebook at Maiensy Cuban Dance Classes.

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.

Bill has been teaching Freestyle Djembe Hand Drumming since 1998. Bill started with a background in Traditional African Style, playing with EARTH BEAT and PHOENIX RISING Drum & Dance Troupes. He has played with the Rock Band BENT, Spiral, and Planetary people where I got experience in Southern Rock, Blues, Jazz , and Reggae. He was also the founder of the Rock Band Outlaw Drummer Band.-- Music Therapy--- He has an Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Evergreen State College in Rhythm/Meditation Therapy. He has done Internships with VA Medical Center in Lakewood, Wa, a local LMHC and Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation working with PTSD, Mood Disorders, Drug & Alcohol, and Dementia/Alzheimers paitents. He is currently sessions at the Low Income Housing Institute in Olympia, wa.

Deep Roots Dance is an ATS®-based tribal fusion bellydance company in Seattle, with a focus on joyful expression and strong technique. In the classroom, we work together to increase our strength and knowledge, encouraging dancers of all levels to learn to be more present and confident in their bodies. When we take to the stage, we endeavor to express the deep, undeniable power and beauty which lives within every woman. Director Shay Moore has been teaching and performing bellydance in Seattle and around the nation for over ten years, and was the first instructor to receive dual teaching certifications in both the Gypsy Caravan and ATS® formats. She has directed multiple nationally acclaimed performance troupes, and teaches popular weekly classes in the Seattle area.

Born in Colobane Dakar Senegal , Medoune is the son of a great “Griot”- Abdou Karim Gueye, who not only was instrumental in his drum training, but also instilled a great sense of pride for his country and a love for its traditions. As a Senegalese “Griot” Mr. Gueye is well known for his proficiency and unique technique in several indigenous drum styles and rhythms. He is highly sought after throughout the US, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Hawaii for cultural consultation, performances, lecture demonstrations, drum and dance conferences,healing ceremonies, cultural festivals, weddings and professional drum instruction.

Salif Koné was born into a Djeli (Griot) family and given the name Malima, which means "the way it is", by his grandfather. He began studying traditional music when he was two years old. When he was eight years old he joined the national group of young musicians in Burkina Faso, Maison des Jeunes du Burkina, traveling throughout Africa. At 14, he became the youngest musician ever to join the National Ballet of Burkina Faso. He traveled throughout Europe and Africa as a percussion soloist with the National Ballet. He has performed all over the United States and taught workshops in universities throughout the country. Since 2005, he has been hosting tours to Africa so that students can participate in drum and dance workshops and learn more about his family culture.

Meridian Negilski is a dancer, performer, and teacher specializing in both Mali and Guinea styles of West African dance. She has been studying African and Afro-Latin dance for 15 years and has performed with several troupes throughout the country. She believes that it is through cultural exchange that a deeper understanding of self and relationship with others may be cultivated.

Monette Marino began drumming at the age of 8 when her father initiated her on his sparkle blue Ludwig drum set. She fell in love with the skin on skin contact of hand drumming 5 years later when her father gave her a lesson on the conga. Monette began her apprenticeship with Guinean Master Djembe Drummer Mamady Keita in 1997 when she made a one-month trip to his home in Conakry to study the percussion of the Manding. Monette opened the 11th branch of his school Tam Tam Mandingue in San Diego in 1998. Monette toured with Mamady Keita for 10 years, teaching classes and performing with him and his band Sewa Kan around the world. She is an award-winning percussionist, and teaches and plays regularly in Southern California. Monette released her album “Coup d’Eclat” in 2012.

Mamady “Tambou” Mansaré III, 4th generation Master Flute player from Guinea, West Africa is known across Africa and around the world for his extraordinarily beautiful musicianship and artistry. In addition to being a world class dancer, singer, and acrobat for Les Ballets Africains, the most renowned and prestigious performance company in all of Africa, he holds the noble position of principal flute player in this revered company. In fact, he, his father (from 1964-2004), and his grandfather (from 1958-1964) are the only people who have ever had the honor of holding this position in this acclaimed company. In Guinea, the Mansaré family is known and regarded as a valuable national treasure.