SWPS 2025 Artist listing

New To the Festival? Meet some of the friends of the WRF Below

Dance, music and the ability to channel positive energy has always been essential in Abby’s life. Attending and volunteering for the WRF since 1998 spawned the love of drum circle facilitation. Abby was inspired to start Pulse Play Circles in 2011 after attending Arthur Hull’s Hawaii Playshop. Engaging co-workers, seniors and kids at camp, she has led drum circles and inspired groups from 10 to 400 people to connect with their inner rhythm with drums and “found sound”, thus creating the healing heartbeat of community wherever she goes. Abby Greene Bull is a native of Guyana, South America, and lives in Burnaby, BC, where she holds bi-weekly community drum circles, music and the ability to channel positive energy has always been essential in Abby’s life. Attending and volunteering for the WRF since 1998 spawned the love of drum circle facilitation. Abby was inspired to start Pulse Play Circles in 2011 after attending Arthur Hull’s Hawaii Playshop. Engaging co-workers, seniors and kids at camp, she has led drum circles and inspired groups from 10 to 400 people to connect with their inner rhythm with drums and “found sound”, thus creating the healing heartbeat of community wherever she goes. Abby Greene Bull is a native of Guyana, South America, and lives in Burnaby, BC, where she holds bi-weekly community drum circles.

Alapadma dance school blossomed in 2013 in the greater seattle area (Alapadma means blossomed lotus), offering classes in two types of Indian classical dance - Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam. Founder and artistic director Anu Samrat, while handling classes at different locations, also choreographs and composes music for the dances she creates. Alapadma students have presented short recitals at various venues and events in the Seattle area, including WRF 2015, NWFL over the years, Seattle Asian Art Museum, LV temple, VEDA temple, ISKCON etc.

For 12 years, Alexander (Xande) has performed with samba groups and baterias all over the US and Philippines; in addition to working with and training community groups, colleges, samba schools, and private students. These days he travels anywhere a cavaquinho and samba is needed, happy to share the joys of music with those who have a desire to play. (class description) In Samba Pagode class, we will immerse ourselves in fundamental songs and the “vibe” of samba/pagode. The basics of voice, drums, cavaco/cavaquinho will be our main focus; however class will be open to all skill levels and most gear.

Anzanga Has been a staple among the African Marimba Music scene since 1987. the group has toured nationally and internationally and produced 5 recording. Known to be crowd pleasers at festivals including Folklife, Zimfest, and more. The 9 member ensemble lead by Sheree Seretse performs exciting music from Zimbabwe and beyond.

As a singer and djembe player, Boka toured with many famous Guinean artists from 2000 to 2014 throughout West Africa. When he moved to the Seattle in early 2014, Boka co-founded Kouyate Arts, an inter-active performance company of drummers, dancers and singers. He is also the Lead vocalist and composer for Boka Kouyate & The Djeliyah Band, sharing a unique fusion of popular African and traditional Djeli music with the world.

Jagadeeswaran Jayaprakash received mridangam training from highly esteemed maestros, Ghatam Vidushi Smt. Sukkanya Ramgopal, Shri B. Ganapathyraman, and the renowned Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. Trichy Sankaran. Throughout the years, he has collaborated with numerous distinguished musicians both in India and the USA. Since 2009, Jagadeeswaranhas actively contributed to the Seattle music scene as a teacher. His students have been part of dance arangetrams, recitals, and concerts, both locally in Seattle and at prestigious venues throughout India and the USA. In recognition of his dedicated contributions to the Seattle music scene, he was awarded the "Laya Shiromani" title by Samskriti Kala Kendra in 2023. He is a board member of the Chamber of Indian Performing Arts and the founder and director of the Indian Percussive Arts Center.

Compass Dance Collective is a MENAT dance (bellydance) group based in Seattle. They perform choreographies as well as two group improv formats: Fat Chance Belly Dance style and Baksana Dance Vocabulary, which features dynamic finger cymbal accompaniment utilizing 10+ finger cymbal sounds.

David Casteal is a 6th grade teacher in Spokane, Washington. He holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology with on the djembe. David has studied West African rhythms in the countries of Ghana, Mali and Guinea. In both the Mali Djembe Rhythms & Dunun Class you will learn to play rhythms from Mali including rhythms and techniques for dununs, djembe accompany, and solo phrases with one class emphasizing djembes and the other dununs.

Egyptian Tabla master George Sadak started his career as a child musician in Alexandria, Egypt. His passion for drums and percussion lead him to decades of performing and teaching around the US and abroad. As a multi-instrumentalist George performs Egyptian /World music as a solo artist as well as member of Anubis Nights. He also collaborates with several dance artists in teaching Middle Eastern music.

The Huayin Performing Arts Group is a non-profit organization was serving the great Seattle area for twenty years.Our program featuring Chinese folk dance, Taiji and Qigong style dance, and choir too.

‘Jamtown’ John promotes in-the-moment & accessible music play for youth, community and business via facilitated drum circles since 1995. He is a certified Village Music Circles™ Global Trainer. He produces the Northwest Folklife ‘Rhythm Tent’ Stage since 2004. John is an adventure traveler working with artisans from three continents on a fair trade basis on behalf of his company Jamtown ®. He writes & performs kids music with ukulele & drums sharing Jamtown® instruments with the crowd. Follow local events and travel adventures at www.JamtownLive.com, FB/JamtownLive, IG/JamtownLive

Ken Jacobson is a drummer, pretending to be a bass player, pretending to be an electrical engineer. He makes his living in this capitalist society by designing audiovisual hardware systems for spaceships, but his heart and soul are and will forever be entrenched in rhythm. Musically he tends to have two speeds: exceedingly mathematical “prog,” and Classical Persian instrumentalism. Ken is a multi-instrumentalist composer and performer, luthier, microtonal theorist, and teacher. He has been a diversely active participant in the Seattle area music community since 2001.

Movements in Motion is a dance group led by renowned dancer and choreographer Guru Sanjib Bhattacharya. Through, Chau, Manipuri and contemporary Indian dance, the goal is to create a unique experience for anyone interested in dance.

Naosheen is a Bangladeshi American dancer, training in 3 different styles of Indian classical dance: Kathak, Manipuri, and Odissi. She discovered her passion for Indian classical dance later in life, despite early exposure to Hindustani classical music. Growing up in a traditional Muslim household in New York City, she faced challenges pursuing dance. Defying expectations, she began training at the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) at 19, where she discovered her passion for Kathak, drawn to its elegance and connection to her musical background. Discovering the history of Muslim women in Kathak further fueled her inspiration. Relocating to Seattle, she founded Torongo, a dance team showcasing Bangladeshi folk and semi-classical forms, performing at events like the Seattle Tasveer Film Festival and Northwest Folklife Festival. Her dance journey includes Odissi training with Dr. Ratna Roy and performing with Urvasi Dance Academy. She also presented Manipuri dance in Nashville, a first for the city, and has performed extensively with her Manipuri Guru, Sanjib Bhattacharya, across the US. The pandemic allowed her to reconnect with Kathak at BIPA, culminating in a performance with live music. This rekindled her passion, leading her to pursue intensive training with her current Guru, Mulla Afsar Khan.

Meet Natty, better known as Natty Riddims (Natural Rhythms), a seasoned percussionist, drum builder, Drum Circle Facilitator and visionary behind the captivating rhythm of the Seattle Hand Drummers. Born with an innate passion for beats and a soulful connection to music, Natty has spent a lifetime channeling the power of percussion to create uplifting and transformative experiences for audiences worldwide. Seattle Hand Drummers: Founded and led by Natty Riddims, the Seattle Hand Drummers represent a dynamic collective of percussion enthusiasts who share a common love for rhythm and community. Since their inception in 2010, this vibrant group has become a rhythmic heartbeat in the rich and diverse music scene of the Pacific Northwest. Mission: The Seattle Hand Drummers, under the guidance of Natty Riddims, are on a mission to spread joy, foster unity, and celebrate diversity through the universal language of drumming. Beyond creating music, their goal is to build connections, break down barriers, and promote inclusivity within the community. Community Engagement: Natty Riddims and the Seattle Hand Drummers are not just a musical ensemble—they are passionate advocates for community engagement. Through interactive workshops, dynamic performances, and collaborative projects, they bring the infectious energy of hand drumming to the streets, parks, and various community events.

I began my Bharatanatyam journey at the age of four, driven by an unwavering passion for this divine art form. Over the years, my love for dance deepened, allowing me to compete in interschool competitions and perform at prestigious platforms. Under the guidance of my Guru, Shri Charles Ma, I completed my Arangetram in February 2020, a milestone that strengthened my commitment to this classical tradition. I have had the privilege of performing at esteemed venues such as Rasika Ranjini Sabha and Sanehalli Shiva Sanchara Natakotsava, celebrating Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage, and the Nordstrom Diwali Event 2024. Most recently, I was honored to be the 2nd runner-up at Natya Idol 2024. Beyond stage performances, I actively share my art through temple festivals, college events, and cultural programs. For me, Bharatanatyam is more than dance—it is a way of life, a spiritual journey, and a language of expression. My goal is to make this beautiful art form accessible to all, inspiring others to embrace its grace, depth, and storytelling.

Baba and Sarah Lee teach a variety of traditional dances from Guinea, Mali and Senegal, West Africa. You will find yourself enjoying the movements of these dances, as well as the workout it gives you. With their friendly "show and go" style of teaching, you will develop the strength, fitness and coordination needed to move and express yourself through these amazing and joyous African dances. In class, you will learn the movement vocabulary and rhythms that make up this beautiful art form and meet great like-minded people. Come out and give it a try, you will LOVE IT!

The steelpan is one of the world's youngest acoustic instruments, and the Phinney Ridge Steel Band is one of Seattle's most recent ensembles, having only formed in the summer of 2023. The ensemble is composed of dedicated musicians who are passionate about bringing the captivating sound of steelpan music to the community. We take pride in performing diverse musical genres ranging from traditional calypso music to jazz standards to video game music.

Pooja has been training in Kathak over the last 15 years under Gurus Smt.Nirupama Rajendra and Shri T.D. Rajendra.She has had the privilege of performing with ADC at Mysore Dasara,BangaloreInternational Film Festival,ZEE5 and NudiSiri. In the US,she continues under the guidance of Gurus Nirmala Madhava and Parul Shah,also working as a collaborative artist with other companies NDC(Bay area), Naatak.She has rendered solo recitals at New York, Seattle, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, California. She premiered her work at Silambam's YUVA Festival 2023 and presented it at Yuva Bharati alongside the prestigious New York Kathak Festival. She recently toured 11 cities across US and Canada with ADC with their signature production that received a standing ovation at all 11 venues! She was also an artist in residence at the prestigious Seattle theater group where she created new work last year. She has also led multiple workshops across the area. She has been a panelist in Bay area for work in progress showings, judged competitions and her work has been reviewed by prestigious dance magazine Narthaki. Pooja is also an accomplished vocalist practicing over the last 20 years and has rendered concerts in the US and India

Prateesha Suresh is trained in two styles of Indian classical dance - Sattriya and Bharatanatyam. She has choreographed solo dances, dance-dramas, group compositions and multi-style compositions. She heads her non-profit organization Pratishruti Foundation based in Mumbai, where she continues with her creative work.

Seattle Kokon Taiko (SKT) is Washington’s first performing taiko ensemble. SKT is based in the local Japanese American community and has performed at schools, arts festivals, street fairs, community programs, corporate events and in concert throughout Washington and Oregon. SKT traces its roots to the Seattle Taiko Group, which formed in April 1980 following a dynamic performance by Ondekoza at the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival. Taiko is a dynamic synthesis of rhythm, movement and spirit originating in Japan and evolving as a folk art over the last several hundred years. In Seattle Kokon Taiko, we combine the ancient with the modern; our repertoire is a mix of traditional pieces and contemporary compositions. Through taiko, we hope to contribute to the development of a uniquely Japanese American art form –Japanese in origin, American in expression– that weaves threads of continuity between generations and builds bridges of understanding among people of all nationalities and walks of life.

The Cooper DrummersThe Cooper Drummers are students from Cooper Elementary School who are nevertheless longtime veterans of the World Rhythm Festival. They perform West African Drum and Dance at various school and community functions throughout Spokane, WA.

Since its beginnings in 2011, The Highlife Band has been cultivating original reggae and world music that integrates influences from Jamaica, West Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, and beyond. Seattle based Franco-American lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Daniel Miller weaves the sounds of various cultures of the African Diaspora into new songs with searing clear vocals, tight horn arrangements, and a pulsating rhythm section. These serve as a vehicle for timeless messages of peace, love, and understanding, while delivered with a sense of immediacy and relevance for today’s listeners.

‘The influences of Todo Es range from the Latin Jazz of Cal Tjader and Charlie Byrd to Brazilian Samba and Bossa Nova, interpreted through our unique instrumentation: Rebecca Garcia - vocals; Daniel Miller - guitar; Stephen Yamada-Heidner - vibraphone and steel drum; Dan Hensley - trumpet and flugelhorn; Tor Dietrichson - percussion; Tim Miller - drums, and John Lilley - acoustic and electric bass. A large repertoire of original material combines Afro-Cuban, Caribbean and Brazilian sounds with contemporary improvisation

Todo Folklore Cubano (TFC), founded in 2005 by José Carrión, a former principal dancer with Ballet Folklórico Cutumba, is a Seattle-based dance company celebrating Cuba’s folkloric traditions. TFC blends dance, percussion, and song, performing at events like Folklife and the World Rhythm Festival. The group includes José’s family—Yoanis, Teno, and Liana—and local artists like Arturo Rodriguez, Daniel Pérez, and Takechi Ruiz, fostering Afro-Cuban culture and community in the Pacific Northwest.

Tor Dietrichson is a talented and eclectic musician living in Seattle, WA. He is a world-class percussionist and an accomplished composer, singer and songwriter. Tor's music crosses several genres including Latin and Brazilian Jazz, Salsa, American Blues, Soulful African, East Indian Ragas and Rock and Roll. Tor's recordings of his compositions feature world renowned artists such as India's greatest tabla drum player Zakir Hussain, Santana percussionist Karl Perazzo, violinist/producer Steve Kindler, guitarist Joaquin Lievano, pioneering Brazilian Jazz vocalist Flora Purim, percussionist Munyungo Jackson, flutist Paul Horn, Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto and others.

Tumbarrancho Venezuela is a vocal and instrumental group that celebrates the traditional folk music of Venezuela, especially the Afro-Venezuelan styles of parranda and gaita zuliana.

VamoLá! is a Brazilian drum and dance ensemble that brings the spirit of Carnaval to life through vibrant parades and performances. Our main focus is on Rio-style samba, but we perform a variety of other music and dance styles from all over Brazil. Our name means, “Let’s go!” in Portuguese, and we do just that — we get people going!

Zambuko a Seattle marimba ensemble is made up of artists of African American descent. The group has been performing since 2008. Zambuko will be release its first recording this year.

At Zje Mongol, our mission is to preserve and celebrate Mongolian traditional music while promoting environmental consciousness. Through our performances and music, we aim to inspire a deeper connection between people and the natural world, raising awareness about the importance of sustainability. By blending ancient sounds with modern messages, we strive to encourage respect for the environment, fostering a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature for a sustainable future.

Zorina Wolf began drumming in 1989 with Baba Olatunji, studying with him for 14 years until his death. She knew drumming and rhythm was a path to healing, wholeness, and creativity. From 1996-2008 Zorina immersed herself in the TaKeTiNa rhythm method with founder, Reinhard Flatischler. Through her studies with both Reinhard and Baba, she has formed her own work- Whole Person Drumming. She published her first book and DVD in 2016 and is currently working on her second book embodying rhythm.