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..Bio: Gina Ferrera began drumming at the age of ten. While performing, teaching and pursuing a degree in video/audio production, she began focusing on ancient African music, studying gyil (an ancient mallet keyboard from northwest Ghana) & it's traditional music in NYC with master musician, Valerie Naranjo and Master Bernard Woma. Since 2000, Gina has made two research trips to Ghana for studies with gyil master Kakraba Lobi.Additionally, Ferrera studies music from Cuba, Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana and Zimbabwe with Elizabeth Sayre, Chuckie Joseph, Orlando Fiol, Dan Gorlin and Jennifer Kyker. Her instruments include bata drums, shekere, conga, caixa snare drum, Ewe drums and Shona Dzavadzimu mbira. Gina has recorded five albums that celebrate cultural diversity. She commingles ancient instrumentation with creative expression, electronic beats, blending cultural music and collaborations with a broad range of artists. Gina has recorded and toured internationally playing drum-set, percussion and singing with Leana Song (Afro-Cuban Drum Ensemble), Alokli West African Drum & Dance Ensemble, The Voices of Africa, Dunya Performing Arts Company, Kokolo- Afrobeat, and Sunkwa.In the spirit of bringing together global cultures, Gina Ferrera presents "The Philadelphia Gyil Fusion Project" as an exploration of ancient African music as a source for peace and cultural unity. The Gyil Fusion Project is a creative live-music collective and a recording/production team currently featuring thirty of Philadelphia's most talented and innovative musicians blending various styles of world fusion music. In West Africa, music and dance create a collective experience that binds community together and can serve as a model for establishing a sense of community in Western society. Gina currently teaches gyil ensemble through the Department of Music and Dance at Swarthmore. "Gina's Gyil and World Music Magic" program, founded in 2003, offers children exposure to cultural and indigenous music in schools throughout Philadelphia and at private/charter pre-schools. As an educator Gina specializes in creative dramatics, movement, music, storytelling, cultural awareness and community building. She also teaches workshops and performs at school assemblies, hospitals, colleges & universities, festivals, summer camps, after-school programs and cultural events.
