The Dance Troupe, founded in 1997, shares both traditional and contemporary Ghanaian dance with schools and community groups across the country. At St. Joseph’s, students had the opportunity to not only watch but participate in an unforgettable cultural exchange.

The troupe’s visit was made possible thanks to a 20-year connection between Joseph Glarner, St. Joseph’s music teacher, and Griffin Brady, who was unable to attend the St. Joseph’s performance due to being ill.

Brady is the director of the U.S.-based Saakumu Dance Troupe.

“I was in a jazz band with Griffin back in the day, traveling up and down the East Coast,” Glarner said. “We’ve stayed friends since then, which opened the door for the group to come here.”

The Saakumu Dance Troupe coming into the audience to perform.

Brady, now based in Buffalo, has been instrumental in keeping this cultural bridge alive.

“The Troupe is based in Buffalo, and Ghanians come over for a couple of months each year to tour,” Glarner explained. “This event has become a highlight of the kids’ year at St. Joseph’s the last couple years.”

Brady’s path to Ghanaian music began in Fredonia, N.Y., more than 20 years ago, when he met Bernard Woma, the founder of Ghana’s National Dance Troupe and the Dagara Music Center. Woma, who was teaching at the State University at Fredonia in exchange for a Western education, became Brady’s mentor and eventually invited him to Ghana to study traditional music and dance. Brady became so proficient in West African music that Woma appointed him tour manager and later a performing member of the ensemble.

Brady played a role in standardizing the tuning of the African marimba so that it could align tonally with Western instruments — a breakthrough that helped integrate African instruments into broader music education programs.

Following Woma’s passing, Brady founded the Bernard Woma Dagara Music Center USA, a nonprofit organization that continues Woma’s mission. The center coordinates annual U.S. tours for the Saakumu Dance Troupe and promotes Ghanaian culture through educational performances at universities, schools, and community events nationwide.

Shown is one of the performers showing off one of the drawings on a canvas he did and was available for purchase at the market they had both before and after the show.

At St. Joseph’s, the impact was immediate and joyful. Students participated in workshops throughout the day, learning rhythmic drumming, traditional dances, and the history behind the music.

“Even the most non-musical student can access the drums and the rhythms they produce,” Glarner said. “Once they leave, I can’t get the kids off the hand drums. I love to see the kids get so worked up about drumming and dancing. This is a great cultural experience for our students.”

Beyond the drums and dancing, the visit was also a reunion for Glarner and some of the troupe members.

“I have known several of these performers for over 20 years. To me, they are family. We correspond all year waiting to see each other,” Glarner said.

For Brady, the mission is personal as well as educational. He continues to travel to Ghana regularly, maintaining close relationships with the troupe and the Dagara Music Center. His work preserves a Woma’s legacy – one that now includes children in Warren embracing a faraway culture through rhythm, movement, and connection.

For more information on the Saakumu Dance Troupe and the Bernard Woma Dagara Music Center USA, visit www.saakumudancetroupe.com.