World Music & Dance Concert

Featuring the Kashtan School of Ukrainian Dance

Since 1979, Kashtan School of Ukrainian Dance has been a prominent cornerstone of the Ukrainian community in Greater Cleveland. Under the artistic direction of Director Jonathan Hejnal and Assistant Director Andrea Komichak Mural, Kashtan preserves the soul of Ukraine through the beauty of folk dance. Kashtan has performed at concerts and festivals across Ohio, the Midwest, Eastern United States, and Canada, captivating audiences with their delightful repertoire and energetic style. By promoting the rich Ukrainian dance heritage, Kashtan has greatly contributed to the popularity of folk dance.

Ohio University African Ensemble and Steel Band

The Ohio University African Ensemble (OUAE) introduces students to African dance-drumming and dance forms. It offers performance opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds and majors. The ensemble specializes in a wide range of African musical styles and traditional dances from various countries. They also create new contemporary dances and instrumental works inspired by the African Diaspora. The OUAE performs at the Ohio University Global Arts Festival and World Music and Dance Concerts. For more information on how to participate, please contact Paschal Yao Younge or Zelma Badu-Younge.

Prof Braun and Percussion Ensembles

Roger Braun is a Professor of Percussion at Ohio University, where he received the Presidential Teacher recognition in 2016. Braun's extensive work includes orchestral percussion, world percussion with the Biakuye Percussion Group, Latin jazz with Los Viejos Blanquitos, and contemporary music with Galaxy Percussion. He is also a composer, with his compositions and arrangements performed worldwide. Braun earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and his Master of Music 
degree from the Eastman School of Music.

Under Braun's direction, the Ohio University Percussion Ensembles have a longstanding tradition of excellence and innovation. They have performed at various schools, universities, and conferences, receiving international acclaim for their performances. In 2024, the ensembles will have their first international tour, performing at the Edeta Arts Festival in Valencia, Spain.

Singing Men of Ohio

Peter Allen Haley is an Assistant Professor of Instruction for Choral Music Education at Ohio University. He conducts the Choral Union and Singing Men of Ohio, and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Music Education. With a background as a high school choir director, Dr. Haley's students were consistently selected for honor choirs. His research focuses on pedagogy for neurodivergent learners in choral rehearsals and Arvo Pärt's sacred choral music. He has presented at conferences and served as a clinician or adjudicator in multiple states. Peter holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting and is an accomplished musician. He is a proud parent and second-best teacher in his house. The Singing Men of Ohio (SMO) is an ensemble of undergraduate and graduate students at Ohio University that performs tenor-bass choral repertoire. They are known for their diverse programming and have toured nationally and internationally, bringing choral singing to wider audiences.

Photos from 2023 Concert