Department of Music

The University of Virginia McIntire Department of Music presents the UVa African Music and Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Associate Professor Michelle Kisliuk, on Sunday, April 29th at 7:3pm in Old Cabell Hall.

The group will host Ewe Master Drummer/Chief Professor Gideon Foli Alorwoyie for their Spring Concert: "Pass It On: Deep Traditions." They will perform core drumming/singing/dancing from the Ewe tradition of Ghana/Togo, and also of the BaAka forest people of the Central African Republic.

Alorwoyie is a high priest of the traditional Yewe religion, born and raised in Anlo-Afiadenyigba in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. He is highly regarded as one of Ghana's foremost virtuosos of traditional music and dance, has been a legendary influence on the Ghana National Dance Ensemble, and has instructed notable American composers and scholars including Steve Reich, John Miller Chernoff, and David Locke. He is currently Associate Professor of Music, and director and principal dancer/choreographer of the University of North Texas African Percussion Ensemble. He is also the chief (Torgbui) of his natal village.

Students from Jack Jouett Middle School and Jackson Via Elementary will also join in as part of our comunity engagement efforts. Come join us for this end of the year celebration that especially honors graduating fourth years!

The performance is free and open to the public. For more information call 434.924.3052.