From folkloric inspirations to the boundless poetry of belly dance, Suzanna is an experienced and authentic entertainer with breathtaking movement quality, aesthetics, and versatility who genuinely connects with her audience and transforms gatherings into magnificent soirees. Her TaWaSol World Dance Ensemble continues this legacy, awakening audiences to a powerful experience of community through dance. As an artistic director, Suzanna has been honored with a King County 4Culture Touring Arts Roster award, bringing her professional background in theatre arts to create high quality productions reaching a broader public and involving a vast network of other artists. Want to dance like an Egyptian? Join weekly classes in downtown Seattle, or arrange for individual coaching, or participate in a special workshop!

Playing and making Didjeridu is what I do. It's a necessary creative and spirtual outlet for me. When I was 15, I found a sound I'd never heard before, but I somehow new it mattered. Through the serendipity of teenage boredom and a discarded metal tube in my parents basement, sea change occured. I shared the discovery with my Dad and I first learned of the Didjeridu. Information and resources were scarce (a time that precluded internet popularity). I then embarked on a solo quest of exploration and self-discovery. Over the last 17 years, I've enjoyed the experiences of performing solo, busking, playing in bands, Recording, exploring a variety of musical generes and teaching people to play. I've been privileged to have traveled the world and met some amazing friends, elders, musicians, teachers (not the least of which, Djalu Gurruwiwi) and students who have inspired me in many ways. My style of playing and approach is mostly self taught but my travels in N.E. Australia and connecting with other musicians has helped my quest greatly. I'm very thankful for this.

Simone has been teaching, composing and performing on hand drums since 1987. From 1992 to 1999, she directed Ladies Don’t Drum, an all-female percussion ensemble. “Ladies” performed and recorded with the Seattle Men’s Chorus, Maya Angelou, and Bobby McFerrin, among others. They recorded the CD, “Nailin’ It.” Since 1991, when she created Drumming & The Holistic Expression of Rhythm, Simone has brought the magic of rhythmic expression to thousands across the U.S., Canada and Europe. Locally, she offers drumming classes for every level and gender. Simone also brings her drums to parties, schools, corporate events, Special Populations, and everywhere the Spirit of the Drum leads her.

Ijo Ayanmo means Dance of Destiny in the Yoruba language. Shawna Hawk, Artistic Director, has been dancing since age five, studying African dance as a child in New York, and later Hula in Hawaii as a young adult. Her unique style integrates a comprehensive background in African, Hawaiian, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican dance. Shawna has a Masters degree in Leadership & Education, specializing in Human & Social services and Bi-cultural development. Shawna has taught in the classroom for over twenty years as an early childhood educator. She developed and implemented a volunteer program for high school students to come and work in her classroom with the younger children. Shawna founded Ijo Ayanmo in 2006. Ijo Ayanmo is a vibrant song, drum and dance ensemble that celebrates the spirit of African and Afro-Cuban music and dance. Group members include Frenchy Conde Lamont, Traci Lamont and Javoen Shakeen Byrd, all accomplished percussionists and singers. The group draws upon the vast heritage of the Afro-Folkloric spiritual legacy of the Ancestors. Styles of this music include rhythms representing the pantheon of the Yoruba Deities of West Africa.

Jill Sager is is a TOCA Percussion endorsed artist, author of the DVD/Book set: Beginning Hand Drumming: A Guide to Recreation and Wellness, published by Carl Fischer Music and founder of Hands On Rhythm and Drum School based in Eugene Oregon. A background in Therapeutic Recreation, music, and wellness has made her a popular speaker and workshop leader with presentations and trainings to hundreds of organizations, schools, and conferences, including National Recreation and Park Association, Oregon Music Educators Association, and the University of Oregon.

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

OUSMANE SYLLA was born in Conakry, Guinea West Africa and has been dancing Contemporary African Dance since the age of 7. He began dancing with Weigué Musica de Guinée and later danced with Les INGUIDANS, A multi ethnic contemporary group in Guinea that included ethnics from surrounding countries. Dancing many dance styles Ousmane combines his knowledge of traditional and contemporary African dance that has given birth to “SAMATO DANCE”, (dance so beautiful words cannot describe, so you must see or experience for yourself). He dances Traditional Contemporary African Dance from the ethnic groups of the four regions of Guinea using their traditional contemporary music, and Traditional Contemporary African Dance from other African countries including Congo (Zaire) and Cote D’ Ivoire. In Guinea this style of dancing is used to showcase artists newly released traditional songs. It is also used for cultural dance parties; Spectacle de la Rue, (neighborhood party), Fête de Quartier (block party), kelmesse, (performance for students at the end of school year), Vin d’honneur (party after the marriage) and Baptême (performance after the baby naming ceremony).

Abdoulaye Sylla, master dancer and drummer from Guinea, W. Africa, delights everyone with his energetic style and infectious smile. He was recruited by his government to dance while still a child. He grew up winning numerous dance competitions in and on behalf of his country. Abdoulaye was a dancer and percussionist with Les Ballets Africains, Guinea’s internationally acclaimed national dance troupe and a dancer, percussionist, and director of technique for Les Merveilles D’Afrique. He has performed and taught traditional dance and percussion throughout Africa, Europe, and the United States. He was named an “Ambassador of Culture” by UCSF. In 1994 Abdoulaye relocated to Connecticut where he was an adjunct professor at Trinity College and a Master Teaching/Performing Artist wit the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism. He has taught and performed at hundreds of schools, festivals, and community venues.

Skin Deep Dance is a professional American Tribal Style Belly Dance Company directed by Katrina McCoy. We are a diverse group of women presenting improvisational style belly dance from the Romany Trail. Our steps come from India and North Africa, our arms come from Spain and our hearts are connected to the dancers all over the world that are dedicated to this dance. Classes are offered at Skin Deep Dance Studio in Beacon Hill, Seattle WA. Katrina McCoy is Certified by Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellyDance.

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.

I teach and perform West African drumming and "afro celtic" music on marimba. I'm a percussionist that plays marimba, djembé, dunduns, bodhran, and congas. I've traveled to West Africa five times where I've spent a total of 13 months studying with master drummers Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate. I've also studied music at the University of Victoria. I've been a full time musician for 24 years.

Sam Rogers is an award-winning solo performer, skilled educator/facilitator, experienced CircleSong leader, and Certified TaKeTiNa Rhythm Teacher. He is called "The One Mouth Band" for good reason: he makes all the sounds of a band using only his mouth -- bass, guitar, synthesizers, horns, mouth-defying drums/percussion, and more -- with the precision of a seasoned musician. Sam was the first solo act to compete (and win!) in an a cappella group competition, was a finalist in the 1st US Beatbox Championships, has 3 solo vocal albums to his credit, helped pioneer live looping vocals, and happily astounds audiences from San Francisco to Sydney to Sao Paulo to Salzburg to Singapore. Get ready for 100% Organic Human Music that will blow your mind and shake your booty!

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.

Rowan Storm is recognized internationally as a percussionist, singer, educator, drum circle facilitator, and designer of streamlined Middle Eastern frame drums. With her Partner Hand Symmetrical Frame Drum Method and the shallow depth of her Signature Rowan Storm Dayereh by Cooperman and her Thinline Frame Drum and Dayereh by Remo, Rowan is pioneering a dramatic new approach which benefits not only drumming technique, but also daily life. Based on walking, as both hands become balanced partners in creative expression, we harmonize the capacities associated with both sides of the brain. Recognizing that rhythm is our natural birthright, Rowan welcomes all levels of drummers to her drum circles to celebrate the exhilaration of rhythmic harmony. www.rowanstorm.com

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.