Department of Music

The UVA African Music and Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Associate Professor Michelle Kisliuk, will perform on Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 7pm in Old Cabell Hall, with guest artist, master drummer Emmanuel Agbeli from Ghana. The title and theme of this year’s performance is ENGAGE! -- highlighting the Ensemble’s extended inter-generational involvement with two local schools this year, and adding to our overall theme of a community- oriented music and dance. The UVA African Music and Dance Ensemble explores traditional music and dance forms from West Africa (Ghana, Togo) and Central Africa (BaAka pygmies – UVA being the only place in the world outside of Central Africa where this material is performed). Students from across the University audition to participate in the Ensemble each semester. As usual, our concert will include extensive audience participation, this year incorporating students from Charlottesville/Albemarle elementary and middle schools who have been learning in our afterschool clubs.

The African Music and Dance Ensemble is pleased to welcome master drummer and dancer Emmanuel Agbeli, from Kopeyia, Ghana who will perform with the ensemble.

Emmanuel Agbeli is the son of the late Godwin Agbeli, an accomplished Ewe master musician (and one of Director Michelle Kisliuk’s first teachers) who was responsible for the creation of the Dagbe Cultural Institute and Arts Center in Kopeyia, Ghana. Emmanuel grew up teaching in his father’s village, working with visiting artists and students, and developing internationally-renowned skills as a teacher and cultural ambassador. Agbeli has hosted many college and school groups in Kopeyia, including Tufts University, University of Austin, St. Michael's College, and Berklee College of Music.

The performance is free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the McIntire Department of Music.