PRESENTER BIOS
Libana
Libana is a women's world music ensemble that illuminates the
creativity, vision, and spirit of the world's women through the
performance of traditional and contemporary music and dance.
By raising awareness and appreciation for diverse cultural expressions
and the universal themes that unite us all, Libana inspires intercultural
understanding, healing, and peacebuilding.
Libana takes its name from a 10th century Moorish woman, who
was a poet, philosopher, and musician, symbolically representing
women's creativity and vision throughout time. The group was
founded by its Artistic Director, Susan Robbins in 1979, with
the idea of exploring and performing music and dance which reflect
women's often undocumented creative contributions to their cultures.
For the past 29 years, they have taken audiences throughout North
America and Europe on inspiring and celebratory musical journeys,
weaving together the songs, dances and instrumental music of
the world's cultures, especially as handed down through the artistic
traditions of women.
Their repertoire of ancient melodies and contemporary tunes
is performed a cappella and with a vast array of instruments
including guitar, dumbek, accordion, oud, naqqara, clarinet and
double bass. Their music is drawn from the divergent cultural
expressions of the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Middle East,
Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Libana's music and dance
go directly to the heart, inspiring audiences with wonder in
the commonality of the global community
Susan Robbins, Libana's founder and Artistic
Director, knew from an early age that singing was at the core
of her spiritual path. Her deep compassion, love of laughter,
and heartfelt belief in the healing power of music bring a clarity,
insight, and brilliance to her music and teaching. Marytha
Paffrath, Libana's principal drummer and percussionist,
is an innovative teacher, singer, composer, and writer who believes
deeply in bringing the simplicity of song to the complexity of
the world. Together, Marytha and Susan bring lively, homor-filled,
grounded guidance to workshops coast to coast.
more at www.libana.com |
 Fre
Atlast
Musical Activist, Performer, Teacher of Music and Drumming.
Current school residencies in Dutchess and Ulster Counties,
NY teaching drumming and music to ages 3 to 9. Certified Level
1 Trainer in Kingian Nonviolence Reconciliation, University
of Rhode Island. Co-producer The Annual Catskill Mountain Womens
World Drum and Percussion Happen'n, Established in 1998. As
Program Director of The Elders Drum Project, a non-profit community
arts organization, Fre has recently orchestrated the opening
of “The Drum Depot”, a center
for drum based community programs. Performing regularly with
Victoria Christgau, together they direct the “Peace is
Possible Chorus”. They have been performing songs of
Peace and Justice as a duo, with the Chorus, and, in the ensemble “Women
of the World”, in concerts schools and festivals throughout
the Northeast. Fre Also
performs with “Sirius Coyote” playing music of
the Americas, “IABAS”- All Women Brazillian Folkloric
Band and “Birds of a Feather” Woodstock Community
Drum Ensemble. To find out more about her work, go to: www.eldersdrumproject.org
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