Ohio Northern University and the Music Department are proud to present a concert on Thursday night, March 10, 2016 at the Freed Center for the Performing Arts that will feature our Fulbright Visiting Scholar in Residence, Professor Benjamin Obido Ayettey.
Professor Ayettey was awarded a Fulbright at the invitation of Dr. Sarah Waters, and will be in residence at ONU from September 2015 through June 2016. Together with Dr. Sarah Waters, Ben has started the ONU African Drumming and Dance Ensemble.
Students from all different majors are enjoying this once in a lifetime experience. They have already had several performances and are gearing up for their big performance on March 10, Thursday night, in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts.
On March 10 the ONU African Drumming and Dance Ensemble will treat the audience to several traditional Ghanaian dances, as well as some contemporary pieces – Professor Ayettey will be composing a piece especially for our group. Other groups will perform between the dances, including a piece for calabash shells, wooden flutes, and the ONU percussion ensemble.
Benjamin Obido Ayettey, is currently Artistic Director of the Ghana Dance Ensemble and a Fellow at the Institute of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon. He is a Ghanaian, native of Ga people, and comes from Osu. He joined the Ghana Dance Ensemble in 1980. He obtained his Diploma in Theatre Arts (Dance) in 1991 at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon. He obtained a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance (MFA) in 1997 from Arizona State University where he specialized in Choreography and Performance, and was a lecturer. He has performed with the Ghana Dance Ensemble in Ghana and internationally.
In addition to his expertise in traditional Ghanaian drumming and dancing, Professor Ayettey has choreographed many modern dance pieces. Some of his recent works include: Liébe : A group dance piece performed by the Ghana Dance Ensemble, University of Ghana; Transcending Turbulence : A group dance piece choreographed by Benjamin Ayettey and Sheron Wray; Coronation Dance : A group dance piece for the special congregation for the Award of Honorary Doctorate Degrees; Rite of Passage : A group dance piece performed by the Ghana Dance Ensemble at the Institute of African Studies as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Institute of African Studies; and Zahinle : A group piece performed for the University Community and the University Students.
TICKET PRICING:
$20 - Adults
$15 - Seniors
$10 - Faculty/Staff
$5 - Students/Children
Purchase tickets online today at Choice Ticketing
or call the Freed Center Box Office at 419-772-1900