2026 WoRld RhyTHm Festival Artists 

Seattle premier marimba ensemble under the direction of Sheree Seretse. 40 years of exhilarating marimba sounds from Africa.

Arturo Rodriguez is the founder and director of Rhythm Ambassadors, an interactive music education program dedicated to inspiring people of all ages through rhythm, movement, and cultural connection. A professional percussionist and educator with more than 40 years of teaching and performance experience, Arturo has devoted his career to making music accessible, engaging, and meaningful. Through Rhythm Ambassadors, Arturo leads hands-on programs that transform audiences from spectators into active participants. Using clapping, singing, movement, body percussion, and authentic instruments, participants develop listening skills, rhythmic confidence, teamwork, and creativity while exploring the rich musical traditions of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, Africa, and the United States. Arturo has performed with acclaimed artists throughout the Pacific Northwest and has taught thousands of students in schools, community centers, festivals, dance studios, and senior programs. His unique approach blends the artistry of a professional musician with the enthusiasm of a lifelong educator, creating experiences that are both educational and unforgettable. Believing that rhythm is a universal language, Arturo's mission is to build bridges between cultures, strengthen communities, and inspire a lifelong appreciation for music. Every Rhythm Ambassadors program celebrates participation, curiosity, and the joy of making music together.

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Baba Kauna Mujamal is a wonderful dancer and teacher with over 30 years of experience preforming traditional West African Dance. As an original member and principal dancer of the world-renowned Kankouran Wes African Dance Company in Washington, DC, Baba Kauna trained under Senegalese Master Dancer Assane Konte. He cofounded Baltimore’s Sankofa Dance Theatre and served as Artistic Director for 16 years, introducing 10s of thousands of audience members to the power and magic of West African Culture. He has performed and studied in Senegal, The Gambia, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Bali and the Netherlands and worked in New York, Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, Hawaii, California, and now in Seattle. Baba Kauna credits Master Artists Assane Konte, Barie Basse, Senegal Joe Ballet, Amaniye Payne, Babacar N’Diaye, Babacar N’iang, Aina Delphine Sneed, Maria Broom, and Chuck Davis as powerful influences in his artistic career.

Boka Kouyate is a singer and multi-instrumentalist (balafón, guitar, djembe) from Guinea. He is a member of West Africa’s most famous family of Mande hereditary musicians, also referred to as griots or jalis/djelys. Boka was born into a griot tradition, the son of Djely Nounke Kouyaté, a guitarist, balafonist and a traditional storyteller, and Djéné Dioubate, a Djely popular singer in Guinea. Boka began singing with his mom at a young age, strapped to her back as a child while moving from ceremony to ceremony. His father's balafón playing and traditional stories made up Boka's first musical education. Soon after, Boka attended French school for many years, where he began writing his own songs, and went on to earn a Microbiology degree from the University of Kankan in 2010. With his voice and the djembe drum, Boka toured throughout West Africa from 2000 to 2014 with many famous Guinean artists, such as Requins De Ballakala and Mory Djeli Deen Kouyaté. He is also the director general of the traditional performing company in Guinea called Gnankoumandouwa, since 2000. After moving to the United States in early 2014, Boka Kouyaté co-founded Kouyaté Arts, an interactive performance company of drummers, dancers and singers. He is the lead vocalist, composer and founder of the Djeliyah Band, creatively connecting a fusion of traditional Djely music to the world. He teaches and composes his original music, as well as traditional djembe and balafón rhythms, and songs from Guinea.

Drummer in Seattle area for the past 40 years.

Edmonds Pungmul Pae is an afterschool Korean percussion ensemble operated by Edmonds School District's Visual and Performing Arts Department. Since 2023, students have been learning and playing twice weekly at Mountlake Terrace High School. EPP has performed for local schools in Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mukilteo, as well as for Mukfest, Seattle's International Children's Friendship Festival, sports events and local business openings. Pungmul is a genre of Korean indigenous percussion and dance grounded in rice farming cultural values of shared work and play, and humans' connection to nature. Instruments represent the primary elements of the weather: wind, clouds, rain and thunder. Rhythms are based on planting, weeding and harvesting, and celebrating the rice harvest in September. Pungmul is played during significant commemorative events and festivals.

Embodied Rhythms is a resonant practice that reconnects the body, mind, and spirit. By merging somatic movement with the communal pulse of the drum, Hayley Christine facilitates experiences that go beyond performance. Her circles and workshops are designed to ground the nervous system, spark spontaneous joy, and cultivate deep connection.

Seattle based Egyptian Tablah player and drummer, George's drumming journey began in Alexandria, Egypt as a teenager studying and performing with his family band. Upon arriving to US George expanded his music studies to cover other genres and instruments but always returned to his first passion the Egyptian tablah aka Doumbeck or Darbuka. George enjoys teaching and focuses on the delivering the Egyptian flavor, his speciality and lifelong passion.

Huayin Performing Arts Group is a 501 C3 nonprofit organization dedicated to Chinese traditional and modern performance arts. Since established in 2003, it has partnered with many organizations and schools to produce high quality programs that promote the appreciation for culture diversity and enrich the cultural life of our communities.

Indigo is a soulful mover, filled with energy as she graces the stage w/ fire and love of dance. She has studied BellyDance and movement for 20+ years. Indigo loves to share her love of movement and dance w/ students. www.indigodance.net

John Hayden and his company, Jamtown™, celebrate a worldwide love for music and adventure travel ~ since 1995. He is a pioneer in the field of ‘accessible music’ that features hands-on participation for all ages. His custom programs are adapted from extensive experience with school, business and community rhythm events since 1995. ‘Jamtown John’ is certified Global Trainer of Village Music Circles 3 Day Drum Circle Facilitation Playshop and a member of the Drum Circle Faciltation Guild (DCFG.) In Seattle, he produces the Northwest Folklife Rhythm Tent Stage, since 2004 and teaches parent/toddler and adult hand drum classes.

Jeff Fenbert is an aspiring drummer and drum circle facilitator. He facilitates drum circles at a retirement facility working with the Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care communities. Jeff also hosts a community drum circle in Shoreline. He has completed training through Village Music Circles and Rhythm to Recovery. He began drumming regularly in 2022 and studies with multiple instructors in the Seattle area.

John Owens is a drummer, author, and educator. John was a street drummer in Washington DC; plus, a drummer for the US Army Band, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and has performed in 25 countries.

King Dre Trio is a soulful world class jazz band. member have performed all over the world. Dennis Blackman, the organist has played with Albert King. Steve Black is one of the most sought after guitar player in the Northwest. Myself, King Dre, the drummer, have played all over the world, including Africa, Asia, South America. I studied at Seattle University and played with the Seattle University Orchestra .

Tejaswi holds a Visharad Degree in Bharatanatyam from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal and has been practicing Bharatanatyam for the past 19 years. She trained under Guru Karnataka Kalashree Dr. Sathyanarayana Raju, Artistic Director of Samskruti – The Temple of Arts, Bangalore. She was awarded the title “Naadam Nrityaprabha” at the Nrityakalakeli Dubai International Dance Festival in 2018. Her performances include prestigious venues and festivals such as Naadaneerajanam at Tirumala, Mantralayam Guru Vaibhavotsava, Udupi Temple, Kanipakam Temple, Kanakadurga Temple in Vijayawada, ICCR at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and Rasa Sanje. She has received several accolades, including First Prize at the All India Dance Festival in Hyderabad, first Prize at the Bangalore Maha Utsav Classical Dance Competition, and first Place at the Rostrum Solo Classical Dance Competition. She has also participated in workshops conducted by renowned artists including Smt. Yamini Krishnamurthy, Padmashri Prathibha Prahlad, Vid. Lakshmi Ramaswamy, Vid. Padmini Ravi, and Smt. Vasanthalakshmi. In the Seattle area, she has performed at Seattle ACME Natya Utsav, presenting “Akasa” as part of the Panchabhoota series, as well as at Bothell Ganesha Utsava, LV Temple Redmond, and Sri Balaji Temple Bellevue. She also conducts classes to pass on the tradition to the next generation through her dance institute -Kala Kuteeram.

Sarah Lee Parker is an accomplished dancer, an excellent teacher, and a passionate advocate for the people and arts of Africa. She is dance educator with deep experience in West African dance, having studied with Youssouf Koumbassa, Moustapha Bangoura, Sorel Conte, Alseny Bangoura, Mamdama Bangoura, Salia Camara and Aly Mara. She has trained with Ballet Wassaso, Ballet Matam, Merveilles de Guinee and the National Ballet of Guinea: Ballet Djoliba. In Seattle, Sarah Lee performs with One World Dance & Drum & Kouyate Arts, and teaches at the University of Washington Dance Department, Velocity and Balance Dance Studios, and Seattle Movement Arts Center. In addition to delving deeply into the culture and arts of Guinea, Sarah Lee became dedicated to build a two-way bridge of learning and understanding between Guinea and the west. Seeking to level the playing field for Africans in this world, she facilitates awareness and transformation through dance, music and cultural immersions. Shas been an instrumental part of creating and running two nonprofit organizations that give back to the people of Guinea – Guinea Kids Education Fund (GKEF) and Guinea Exchange.

Seattle Kokon Taiko is a performing group based in the local Japanese American community. 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. In 1987, three members left STG to form Kokon Taiko Ensemble and focus on smaller, more musical performance pieces. In 1992, these two groups merged to form Seattle Kokon Taiko. Our early teachers and influences included: Seiichi Tanaka and San Francisco Taiko Dojo, San Jose Taiko, Kinnara Taiko, and Katari Taiko. Later influences include Uzume Taiko, Kenny Endo and Kodo. Over the years, we have performed at schools, arts festivals, street fairs, community programs, corporate events and in concert throughout Washington and Oregon. 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 try to 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. We are currently based out of the International District of Seattle.

Shubhangi Tewari is a Seattle-based Odissi dancer dedicated to the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Gharana. She holds a Dance Diploma from India's Surbharati Sangeet Parishad and is a disciple of Dr. Aparupa Chatterjee, Artistic Director of the Odissi Dance Company (ODC). Shubhangi’s formal dance education began a decade ago at Shiv Nadar University under Smt. Aadya Kaktikar, where she researched Odissi’s evolution from temple traditions like Maharis and Gotipuas into a classical art form. Remarkably, she pursued this intense academic research while simultaneously earning her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. After relocating to the United States, Shubhangi continued her advanced training under Dr. Chatterjee, mastering intricate rhythms and narrative structures. She also furthers her education by participating in annual masterclasses with legendary exponents Guru Sujata Mohapatra and Guru Ratikant Mohapatra. As an ODC ensemble dancer and an active independent soloist, she has performed at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Consulate General of India, and the Seattle Artists at Center program. Ultimately, Shubhangi aims to preserve and promote Odissi while upholding the rich legacy of the Srjan Gharana lineage across the Pacific Northwest.

Union Cultural Center has the mission to build an inclusive community through cultural arts to heal and cultivate positive change. We have been promoting the practice and study of Capoeira Angola in Seattle, WA, for the past 30 years. We have been developing school partnerships implementing the study of Capoeira Angola music, movements, history and philosophy s at Seattle Public schools and private schools. Also we taught Capoeira classes at Evergreen State College for the students activities program, and today Capoeira Angola classes are taught at the Dance Department at University of Washington and Western Washington University. We participate in community festivals, such as Brazil Fest, Northwest Folklife, World Rhythm Festival and Seattle Children’s Festival. Our home today is at the Union Cultural Center, a non-profit organization with the mission to build an inclusive community through cultural arts to heal and cultivate positive change.

VamoLá is a Drum and Dance Ensemble from Seattle. They combine live Brazilian music with energetic dancers in stunning Brazilian costumes. They perform many types of Brazilian music and dance from around the country of Brazil. They'll even be teaching how to dance Samba Reggae (pronounced Samba Heg-gay in Brazil) so come on up and dance along! vah-moe-LAH is Portuguese for "Let's Go!" and we do just that — we get people going!

Zambuko African-American Marimba Ensemble performs marimba music of Africa with materila from Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa plus original compositions and arrangement by the director Sheree Seretse