Pezhham Akhavass is a musician, percussionist/multi-instrumentalist/music director, and instructor, master of tombak (a type of goblet drum from Persia) and daf (the frame drum), and Setar (Long Neck Lute which presents Iranian Radif, which is a collection of the melodies in modal system from different generations that have been orally…
Dr. Ellorin is the leading expert on maritime Southeast Asian gong-chime music in Southern California. He is also a master of the Filipino banduria (a version of the Spanish bandurria, a plucked string instrument similar to the mandolin) and the associated rondalla music. He is versed in the percussion music…
I am a featherman (regalia maker). I specialize in dance regalia of the Wintu, Maidu, and associated tribes. I have been active in dance and ceremony for 30 years and have been an active maker for 20 years. I come from the Nomtipom wintu of Northern California. I am of…
Yen Nguyen aka Ngoc Dung is a Vietnamese Southern Traditional musician, music professor.
Francis is a performer and educator from Ghana, West Africa. Born and raised in the melting pot neighborhood of New Town, Francis grew up in an environment bursting with the sights and sounds of Ghana’s many ethnic groups. During his almost two decades as an instructor at the University…
My Mother always told me stories. I began telling stories formally when I was in high school in Chicago (St. Ignatius) in the 60’s, stories of Africa and the struggles of African-Americans for freedom. In 1992 I met Joel ben Izzy from Berkeley, CA who was introduced to me as…
Mel was born and raised in Vallejo, CA. He has been a martial artist since 1972. He teaches Balintawak Arnis, Filipino Martial Art, in the context of Philippine and Filipino culture and history. He’s is also the author of “Filipinos in Vallejo.” Mel is a member of the Mark of…
Will Marsh has been a dedicated student of the sitar since 2006. He was initiated into the rich tradition of Hindustani music by Ustad Aashish Khan (eldest son of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan) while a student at the California Institute of the Arts. He has also had the privilege of…
Ganesh Vasudeva is a Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer. Ganesh has created many works and presented his works in India, FRance, London and the United States. Ganesh believes dance is an all encompassing form that connects him to everyone & everything that has come in the past and yet to…
Indian-American percussionist and composer Dr. Rohan Krishnamurthy is one of the leading voices of Indian classical and cross-genre music in the South Asian diaspora. Acclaimed a “musical ambassador” and “pride of India” by The Times of India, Rohan received advanced mridangam training from maestro Sri. Guruvayur…
