Artists
Gansango Music & Dance company members based in Seattle, Washington are periodically joined by guest performers based nationally and internationally.
Etienne Cakpo
Master dancer and choreographer from Benin, is the director and lead choreographer and dancer of Gansango Music and Dance. Etienne has been building his repertoire of traditional and modern dance for over twenty years. In addition to conducting personal research to learn regional dances and musical traditions in his country, he has worked in remote areas of Benin with international ethnomusicologists, musicians and filmmakers. Etienne has performed with artists from many countries, including Haiti, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal, France, Mali and the United States. He currently directs Gansango Music & Dance based in Seattle. CV_Etienne Cakpo 2011 (1-11)
Siya Manyakanyaka
Siya originates from South Africa, and is an accomplished dancer and singer who has performed with the Iintombi Zilapha Dancers, Gansango Music & Dance, Sankofa Theatre’s Maafa Experience, and Seattle Theatre Group’s Dance This! Influenced by a wide variety of dance styles, Siya performs modern dance as well as traditional dance from West and Southern Africa.Thione Diop
Thione is a master drummer from Senegal, recognized for his versatility with the djembe, sabar, tama and djun djun drums. Thione is descended from an ancestral line of Griot drummers from Senegal, and has led the Seattle-based percussion ensemble Yeke Yeke for over ten years. He teaches and performs in Seattle, and spearheads the annual Spirit of West Africa Festival and Kasumai Africa performance that enable Pacific Northwest audiences to enjoy the work of a wide range of African performing artists. www.thionediop.comDora De Oliveira
Dora has performed and taught Afro-Brazilian dance for twenty five years. With a dance degree from the prestigious Federal University of Brazil, Dora has worked with many touring dance companies, including Exaltação à Bahia, Oludum, Show Brazil and Gansango Music & Dance. She is versed in jazz, ballet, modern dance, as well as contemporary and traditional African dance and Brazilian dance forms such as the samba and Orisha dance.Charles Ahovissi
A master dancer, drummer and choreographer who hails from Benin. He is also a talented costume designer and tailor, and energizes audiences of all ages with his dynamic teaching and performing. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Charles directs African Culture Connection, a non-profit organization, and performs with his cultural arts ensemble, Hwendo. Charles joins Gansango Music & Dance for periodic shows in the Pacific Northwest, as well as tours in the United States and abroad. www.ahovissi.comGora Diop
Gora comes from a family of hereditary musicians, and has developed mastery of a variety of West African drums. Hailing from Senegal, West Africa, Gora’s energetic rhythms on the djun-djun drums are a staple of many Gansango productions. Gora also plays with Seattle-based Yeke Yeke and can be seen at the annual Spirit of West Africa festival and Kasumai Africa show.Mohammed Shaibu
Ghanaian-born Mohammed Shaibu leads the Seattle-based band, Soyaya, with virtuoso acoustic guitar, dynamic talking drum, and lively vocals. The music of Soyaya is a combination of Highlife, Palm Wine, and indigenous Rhythm and Blues. Mohammed performs regularly with Gansango Music & Dance, playing percussion, guitar, and tama (talking drum). His renditions of children’s nursery songs on the talking drum delight audiences of all ages.Kane Mathis
Kane plays the Kora, a 21-string African harp, one of the most beautiful and complex instruments in the world. For years Kane has studied under master kora player Malamini Jobarteh in the Gambia, West Africa, refining his skill, expanding his repertoire and deepening his knowledge of and dedication to the traditional culture and music of the Mandinka people of West Africa. Kane holds a diploma from the Teramang Traditional Music School endorsed by the Gambian Minister of Culture, and has produced several recordings available on CD from Kaira Records. Kane also plays the Oud (Middle Eastern lute), guitar and percussion. www.kanemathis.comWon-Ldy Paye
Won-Ldy is a master storyteller from Liberia. A member of the Tlo Ker Mehn, a class of professional storytellers who are also accomplished musicians and keepers of Dan oral heritage in Liberia, Won-Ldy has been captivating audiences in the United States for nearly 30 years. His youth was greatly influenced by the Dan cultural phenomenon of masked spirits that appear as teachers, judges, messengers, police, dancers and entertainers. He directs Village Drum and Masquerade, and collaborates regularly with museums and schools to provide authentic cultural education experiences that are entertaining for all ages. www.wonldypaye.comGuest Artists
Gansango regularly works with guest artist from many countries. Past productions have included collaborations with Joselito Atchade (Benin); Kevin Turner (UK); Kathy Manyongo (France/Cameroun); Marthe Bolda (France/Cameroun); Astou Top (Senegal); Achille Acakpo (Benin); Lora Chiorah-Dye (Zimbabwe); Yao Amponsah (Ghana); Mapthé Diop (Senegal); Thierno Diop (Senegal); Khaleah London (USA); Rohiatou Siby (USA/Mali); Sarah Carlson (USA); Beatrice Aspirot (France); Joshua and Heather Tallis (USA); Bill Matthews (USA); Nikki Pete (USA); Meg Cater (USA); Deirdre Luvon (USA); and Arturo Rodriguez (USA).
Photographers
Gansango would like to thank all of the talented photographers that we have had the privilege to work with. Most of these individuals have offered their services to us at free or reduced rates, making it possible for the public to appreciate Gansango’s work through the power of photography. These include: Adrian McDermott, Stan Staniski, Jannie Anderson, Katrina Dartnell and Patrick McKern.