The Canisius College Program in the African American Experience will welcome internationally-renowned xylophonist Bernard Woma to campus on Tuesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center, located at the corner of Main Street and Eastwood Place. The event is free and open to the public.Woma is master drummer of the Ghana Dance Ensemble with Ghana’s National Dance Company and a guest lecturer at the State University of New York at Fredonia. He began playing the xylophone at age two and by age five, Woma’s talent was recognized throughout the Upper West Region of Ghana. As he became even more proficient, Woma began to compose his own music and his reputation spread to national and international levels.

Today, Woma performs regularly on three continents. He frequently performs with the traditional Bewaa Ensemble and the Saakumu Dance Troupe. He presents workshops, lectures, and one-on-one lessons with musicians throughout Europe and America. He has also served as the ceremonial drummer for Ghanaian State functions and performed for former President Bill Clinton, when he visited the Ghanaian president in Accra.

The Program in the African American Experience was established in 2002 by Bruce J. Dierenfield, PhD, professor of history and recipient of a Peter Canisius Distinguished Teaching Professorship. The program examines the diverse and unique contributions of African Americans throughout history, through four inter-related elements: coursework, lectures, on-site field trips and cultural encounters related to African American history.

For more information on the Program in the African American Experience, contact Bruce J. Dierenfield, in the Department of History, at (716) 888-2690 or click here.

Canisius College is one of 28 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.