instructors who are accomplished performers, well-known in their respective
communities, and wherever possible, native to the communities they represent.
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Mary Ellen has been involved in Middle Eastern music since the late 1960’s and has written, produced and published several books and tapes on Middle Eastern music. She is known by many as the “Guru of finger cymbal playing.” Since the 1970’s she has performed in numerous concerts and productions, performed on many albums with American and Middle Eastern musicians including Magda Helmy, Gallal Kutub, Yusel Mostafa, and Light Rain. She is also on the soundtrack of several episodes of ABC-TV series, the Young Indiana Jones. Mary Ellen continues to be in high demand as a musician, teacher, and organizer of events. She now focuses her production skills on two recitals and two drumming marathons each year.
Find out more about Mary Ellen's incredible life story at www.maryellendonald.com
Hannah Romanowsky- Middle Eastern
Portsha Jefferson – Afro-Haitian
Julia Tsitsi Chigamba - Zimbabwean
Kompiang Davis – Balinese and Gamelan
Kamala Devam – South Indian, modern
Tom Mayock – creative movement, jazz
Naby Bangoura - West African/Guinean
Azriel “El Moreno” Goldschmidt - flamenco
Jade Itiene – Global Groove/Camp Counselor
Melanie Hogan – Arabic/Qi-gong
Lily Storm - Eastern-European singing
Renata Marson Teixiera de Andrade