Previously led by Dr. W. Komla Amoaku, former director of the National Theatre of Ghana, and under the direction of John Flood since 1994, Ho-Asogli has transformed itself from a university class to a burgeoning ensemble and organization. Every member is an integral part of the ensemble, contributing their energy, time, and talent to upholding the foundation of Ho-Asogli: learning and performing traditional drumming and dance of Ghana.
Our name signifies our close relationship with the traditional Asogli council in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region of Ghana. We are research-oriented, traveling to Ghana every other summer to study with local musicians and dancers and we continue to work with teachers here in the United States.
Our performances include equal opportunity and diversity programs, education and outreach programs, music education conferences, multi-cultural events, music festivals, colleges and universities, and city and county libraries. We have also appeared at Delta State University in Mississippi, the Nations of San Diego Dance Festival, Eveoke's Celebrate Dance Festival, North Park Festival, the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, the Morning Show on Channel 39, and on board the U.S.S. Stennis - just to name a few!
Authentic in our dress and instruments, the Ho-Asogli experience is a combination of costumes, voices, music, and movement depicting significant traditional musical practices of various ethnic groups of Ghana.
Ghana is located in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea and is about half the size of California. There is hardly any community in Ghana that does not celebrate a traditional annual occasion with dance and music. There are over eighteen million people divided into ethnic groups, clans or tribes that have their own distinct music traditions.
We hope to bring some of these traditions to your school in the near future.
Best Wishes,
John Flood, Executive Director
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