Artistic Director Modesto Mawulolo Amegago was born in an artistic family in the Ewe community of the Volta Region of Ghana. He served as a lead drummer and dancer in many community events and inter-schools music and cultural festivals in Ghana from 1971-1982. He graduated from the School of performing Arts where he taught from 1989-90. He worked as a cultural officer in the Eastern Regional Centre for National Culture at Koforidua, Ghana in 1991. He received Geoffrey and Margaret Andrews Fellowship in the Creative and Performing Arts (1991) to teach and study at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Professor Amegago further studied at the Simon Fraser University, School for the Contemporary Arts and the Faculty of Education, Canada. He also taught at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, He is currently teaching at York University, Department of Dance and is also directing Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble. He directed the Southern Volta Association’s cultural group and the Ewe Hogbetsotso Festival in Toronto in 2004 and 2005. He has taught African music and dance to the youth at Derrydown Public School as part of a community outreach and multicultural program. Professor Amegago has performed extensively with artists from various parts of Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe.

Co-founder of Nutifafa Drummers and Dancers and Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble, he is the secretary of the Ensemble. He has been performing with Dr. Modesto Amegago since 1990. While in British Columbia, he sang in a church choir from 1988 to 2001, he performed with various artists including Dido Morris and the Bambaya group, Kwasi Iruoje and the Ogedengbe Drummers, and the Ghana Dance Troupe. He played a role in Richard Strauss Opera “Der Rosenkavalier” at the Nationaltheater in Munich, with the Bavarian State Orchestra & Chorus under conductor Carlos Kleiber.
Salomon is a French and German teacher and a French translator of profession. He is also the Managing Editor of the Review of Human Factor Studies, a scholarly Journal published by the International Institute for Human Factor Development.

Godonu is one of the founding members of Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble. He is the stage manager for the group and he oversees the instruments arrangement on stage for the group. He was the entertainment co-coordinator for Ewe Multicultural Association of Ontario “EMAO” for 9 years and the Southern Volta Association of Canada “SVAC” for 5 years. Godonu was born in Aflao in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. He spent part of his childhood in Lome, Togo. Born into a family of mostly boys, Godonu and his brothers learn how to play the family’s “Blekete" drums, made by their father. He plays most of the supporting drums in the NUTIFAFA group. He loves music, listens to music at all times and sleeps with music. His passion for music enabled him to become a composer/performer. He composes in his Mother tongue, EWE, a language spoken in south-eastern Ghana, Southern Togo and Benin in West Africa. He translates some of his lyrics into English, French, Spanish, Ga and Twi (languages). His group Egbeviwo’s changing style of Highlife is bringing highlife music to a new dimension fused into Jazz and the Ewe traditional soogoo drumming. He has two Albums to his credit namely EMEFA and CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG! Godonu works in the IT field. His website is www.egbeviwo.com

As a child, growing up in Ghana, she loved to sing and dance. Her grandma would say: “this child would one day become a singer and dancer”. Akosua is one of the founding members of Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble and is also and the group’s dynamic and enthusiastic Activity Coordinator, and Spokesperson. Before joining Nutifafa, she danced with the St Vincent and Grenadian Dance Troupe and the Dance Group of the Southern Volta Association of Canada. Being a part of Nutifafa enhances her love of the culture, history, and the wisdom of her people. She believes that African music and dance not only teaches but heals the mind, body and spirit, keeps you connected and gives you a sense of belonging. She loves the energy, and the beauty of African music and dance, because it makes you feel alive, inspired and free. Being a part of this dynamic and diverse performance ensemble has given her great sense of pride and joy.
Quote: Smile, you’re beautiful.

Alexandra Weiss has been dancing with Nutifafa for one year. Last summer, she has traveled to Ghana to learn new dances. In addition to working as a librarian, she is also a music teacher for the Royal Conservatory of Music and Conservatory Canada, and teaches jazz & classical piano, eartraining, theory and harmony. She is currently in the process of obtaining her Private Pilot License.

Abigail Oti Yeboah is originally from Ghana. She is about to graduate from the Schulich School of Business, York University. Her interest in African Performing Arts, music and dance, grew when she participated in the York University-Ghana Summer Study Abroad program led by Professor Modesto Amegago. She joined Nutifafa in 2006 and since then, she has been an enthusiastic member of the group. She is also interested in watching/playing sports and running. Much of her inspiration in life comes from her parents, grandmother, sisters and friends.
Quote: “Today is a Great Day to Shine”

Lawrence Addo has been part of Nutifafa for over 2 years. Besides working full time, Lawrence loves to sing and play the drums.

Mabe Vanessa Illah was born in April 1986 in Benin City of Nigeria. Raised in Nigeria, England and France, Mabe has diverse cultural background. She joined Nutifafa in October 2006 and has been a regular performer since then. She is an international student, studying Economics at York University. Her interest in African dance began when a friend invited her to one of Nutifafa’s weekly rehearsals. Since then, her interest in African cultures increased. Mabe says: “I have always been curious about the ways of the African people, most especially in their Art [music, dance and drama] and when this opportunity to gain more knowledge presented itself, it was impossible to resist.” Before joining Nutifafa, Mabe had participated regularly in high school talent shows and social activities that involved music and dance. About Nutifafa, Mabe says: “I enjoy being a member of this ensemble; it gives me a chance to express myself through a media I thoroughly enjoy; the people are warm and welcoming and you just can’t help but feel at home whenever you are around them. I am truly glad to be a part of Nutifafa. PEACE.

After enrolling in Dr. Amegago's fall dance class at York University, Atenna knew that she had found a place where she felt connected to the music, dances and rhythms of Africa. She possesses an undying love and appreciation for all things African and being a member of Nutifafa has deepened her desire to learn and preserve these art-forms. Being a vocalist and performer herself, studying Jazz Vocals at York University, dancing became a natural progression to a devotee of the arts. She endeavours to continue developing, performing and expressing herself through these avenues and hopes to communicate and capture the true essence of the cultural experience offered by the Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble.

Nora joined Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble in 2007. Her love and passion for dance began at a young age; she officially started her dance career five years ago when she enrolled in her first jazz class. After that, she never looked back. Her training in Jazz and Hip Hop provided her with the opportunity to be part of important dance festivals and competitions. A major achievement in her career was being cast as an Afro-Cuban dance instructor in the movie Shall We Dance, staring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. Nora has had the pleasure of teaching Hip Hop at recreational levels to children and youth. Nora enjoys expressing herself through many mediums including music. She has received professional musical training in the oboe, percussion instruments and has received over eight years of training in the flute. She has performed with various music ensembles and has toured across Western Canada with military bands and ensembles. Nora is a true dance and music enthusiast and looks forward to delivering to you an authentic African experience through Nutifafa.

Paawana ABALO is originated from Benin, a costal West African country known as the motherland of voodoo. Former journalist, she currently teaches French at Glendon faculty, York University in Toronto. Bound to her roots, she joined Nutifafa African performance ensemble to stay closer to, and share with her new community, the cultural harmony built for years in her mother country. By dancing on African rhythm, she cares of maintaining the deep communion between the body and the spirit.

Rahel Appiagyei is a fourth year York University Student – Glendon Campus student pursuing a Bilingual Specialized Honours Degree in International Studies. Rahel has been a member of Nutifafa African Dance Ensemble since July 2007. Besides being a performer, she takes part in community organisations as a volunteer, board member and speaker. Currently, Rahel is working to raise funds for a memorial scholarship in memory of a York University student killed in gun violence two years ago.

Shireen Ali is a Trinidadian-Canadian born dancer. Her passion for Trinidadian culture backed by her natural talent to dance inspired her to explore the roots of her parentage and learn more about their country’s dance history. As time passed she began formal training in Jazz and at 13 years old, in her first year, she received the Jazz Dancer of The Year Award. As a growing dance artist residing in Canada, Shireen has been exposed to many cultural dances. These dances range from Bollywood Indian, Latin, Southeast Asian, and Egyptian Belly dance to traditional West African dance. Shireen currently attends York University where she is majoring in Dance Studies. It was at York University that Shireen was introduced to the Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble which she is now a part of. She also received her big break after being cast for a role in the world renowned production, Amakhosi: Kings of Africa, created and produced by choreographer Bheki Ndlovu. With her talent and ambition, Shireen Ali will no doubt continue to expand her knowledge of dance and carry on with great success in hopes of promoting versatility amongst future dancers.

• Sedem Nyamadi
• Kristine Edwards
• Akua Agadzi
• Celine Acheampong
• Stacy-Ann Vassell

Dr. Andrews and Mrs. Doris Marc Ali are both patrons and members of Nutifafa. They have made invaluable contributions of all kinds toward the success of the Ensemble.

both dedicated patrons of Nutifafa Afrikan Performance Ensemble.