Ina McNeil: Native American Educator by Nancy Solomon Ina McNeil was born on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. She is the great great granddaughter of Chief Sitting Bull, the legendary Hunkpapa Lakota warrior. Her traditional name is Scarlet Whirlwind Woman or Wamni-Umni-Luta-Wi, a name given to Ina by her great grandfather Henry […]
Debbie Lynch: Irish Stepdancer The Irish community on Long Island is one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. Since the late 1800s, when Irish immigrants first came to the United States, there have been Irish laborers, farmers and other tradespeople who have called Long Island home. Although many first made their homes in […]
Sejal Kukadia: Tabla Player and Teacher Sejal was born and raised in upstate New York, the daughter of Indian immigrants, where she was surrounded by traditional Indian musical instruments. Over the years, she has grown to become the only female classical tabla soloist in the United States. Although her family had no musical specialties, she […]
KENAHORA: Klezmer Musicians KENAHORA is composed of several musicians who have been preeminent in the world of klezmer music, bringing their unique brand of music to audiences far and wide. With collectively over 150 years of performing to their credit, the members of Kenahora are truly all-stars and mentors to both musicians and audiences alike. Ken […]
Pete Kelly: Master Irish Fiddler The Irish community on Long Island is one of the largest ethnic groups in the region. Since the late 1800s there have been Irish laborers, farmers and other tradespeople who have called Long Island home. By the early 1920s there was a sizable Irish community with churches, dance halls, social […]
Reem Hussein: Muslim Artist American born Muslim artist Reem Hussein holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. She completed her training in interior design and the restoration of antiques and decorative arts objects at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Her study and handling of antiques, and preserving of the visual aging qualities […]
Joan Hodges: African American Fiber and Craft Artist Joan Hodges was born in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn in the early 1940s and is the daughter of Roberta and John Hodges, descendants of southern slaves. Both of Joan’s parents came to New York during the “The Great Black Migration” to seek a better quality of […]
Clan Gordon Highlanders Pipe Band: Scottish Bagpipe Band The Clan Gordon Highlanders Pipe Band was founded in 1971 by Andrew McDicken, Jim Summerville, Bobby Benton and eight other members of the Clan Gordon. According to McDicken, “The band actually started when these two men (Jim and Bobby) were having a drink and saying “why don’t we […]
Berta Gauto & Panambi Verá: Paraguayan Dance Group Berta Gauto is originally from Asunción, Paraguay. Her parents hail from Villarrica, a region known as the “cradle of poets and musicians”. Berta is part of an artistic family. Her uncle Diosnel Chase was a well-known traditional singer and songwriter. Her grandfather played polkas, guaranias and chamamé […]
The Elder Statesmen: African American Gospel Long Island has one of the most complex music traditions: African American gospel music. The roots stem from the many regional denominations of African American churches. According to African American historian Linda Day, the A.M.E. Zion church was founded in New York by free blacks and has a strong presence […]
