CLASSICAL LOUNGE CURATED BY MUSICANOVA BURKINA DREAMS IN THE DESERT FEATURING AZ63

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Fountain Stage, Scottsdale Civic Center Park

ScottsdaleArts.org | 480-499-TKTS 1 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Presents

Classical Lounge Curated by MusicaNova BURKINA DREAMS IN THE DESERT FEATURING AZ63

AROUNA DIARRA — KORA, NGONI, BALAFON ZAZA DIARRA — VOCALS, MARAKAS, DUNDUN SONJA D. BRANCH — PERCUSSION

Saturday, March 27, 2021 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Fountain Stage, Scottsdale Civic Center Park

2 ScottsdaleArts.org | 480-499-TKTS PROGRAM

Program to be selected from the following: Kora: Improvised solo Donso Ngoni: Siralonbalia Balafon: Djarabi Kora: Bara Ngoni: Sinikeneya Ngoni: Djina Mouso/Zaouli Ngoni: Bamanaya Djembe: Djansa Ngoni: Kelemagni Djembe: Zaminamina Kamelen Ngoni: Siawoloma Kora: Manisajo

ScottsdaleArts.org | 480-499-TKTS 3 ABOUT

AROUNA DIARRA (THE ANCIENT ROOTS) SONJA D. BRANCH — PERCUSSION — KORA, NGONI, BALAFON Dr. Sonja D. Branch, D.Mus.A., holds degrees in music performance from Arouna Diarra, originally from Burkina Faso, West Africa, founded Arouna Diarra Ithaca College and Arizona State University. She has performed as a timpanist/ Music LLC. Arouna is an accomplished ngoni and balafon player who also percussionist with MusicaNova since the orchestra’s inaugural concert in plays a great array of other traditional instruments. Performing a tradition of 2003. An active freelance musician, Sonja appears regularly with several other folk songs reflecting topics from war to building love for one another, Arouna ensembles, including Kawambe Omowale African Drum & Dance Theater, sings with spirit, nostalgia, and great joy in his native language, Bambara. Crossing 32nd St. Contemporary Music Ensemble, the Sonoran Marimba Band, Arouna brings a dynamic repertoire to the table, full of timing changes and and the funk band Dr. Delicious. She is an accompanist for ASU dance classes. improvisational prowess. He plays the kamale ngoni, a 14-string harp-like In 2014, she established Ensemble Ndeye Soxna, a performing group instrument (which he makes himself), with a melodic and percussive sensibility. dedicated to promoting Senegalese Sabar drumming in Phoenix. Sonja directs Arouna was born into a family composed of musicians, poets, and storytellers. West African percussion ensembles at Glendale and Scottsdale Community He is a 12th-generation musician, and he was destined to bring traditional Colleges, teaches steel drums at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, and repairs West African music into the modern day, further developing it while remaining and re-heads drums in her home workshop. Along with her percussion true to its roots. His live performances often welcome a diverse group of activities, Sonja plays guitarrón and armonia with Mariachi Luz del Sur and the musicians performing as The Ancient Roots Band. Musicians frequently joining all-female Mariachi Rubor. To exercise her interests outside of music, Sonja Arouna onstage include percussionist Biko Casini and bassist/guitarist David works occasionally as a mechanical fabricator at Tempe-based Southwest Brown of Rising Appalachia. Whether performing on stage at Red Rocks, the Solar Technology. jungle of Costa Rica, or intimate community settings, Arouna and his band bring joy, harmony, and a connection to traditional folk music. MUSICANOVA The MusicaNova Orchestra is a professional ensemble that features new ZAZA DIARRA — VOCALS, MARAKAS, DUNDUN music, unjustly neglected pieces, and fresh interpretations of the classics. Born in Burkina Faso, Zaza Diarra has a great passion for music and children. The musicians engage, enthuse, and educate through musical partnerships She is deeply involved in the local music scene, and she founded Immanuel with diverse communities, artists, and students. Care for Children, a Phoenix childcare center with a capacity of 74, where MusicaNova believes in the future of great music and regularly features she is the current director. She has also changed the landscape of home exceptionally talented young performers and brilliant young composers. childcare by mentoring new providers, improving the rules that enhance the Through educational outreach, MusicaNova is dedicated to bringing the joy lives of children, and directing a local crisis pregnancy center. In addition to her of playing and hearing great music to many who might not otherwise have work as a center director, she also manages Arouna Diarra LLC alongside her the opportunity. husband Arouna Diarra.

4 ScottsdaleArts.org | 480-499-TKTS DONORS

Scottsdale Arts is sincerely grateful for $1,000 - $2,499 $500 - $999 Legacy Society Special Tributes Made in Memory of donors, members, and partners who Makenna and Mike Albrecht * Peter Boyle * Anonymous Wallace Davidson celebrate and support art in our community Ellen Andres-Schneider and Ralph Andres * Naomi Caras-Miller and Alvin Miller * Patricia Aloe-Stauber Ted Stephan at every level. We gratefully acknowledge Nancy and Joe Braucher * Jill Christenholz Fred J. English and Sara M. English the following individual supporters above Paige Cecil and Ryan Jones * Erika Coombs Charitable Trust Gifts In Honor Of $500 who made contributions between Donald W. Collier Charitable Trust II * Anita Fishman Chet and Ann Goldberg (since July 1, 2020) July 1, 2020, and February 4, 2021. Allison and Grant Colwell * Colleen and Brennan Giggey * Chris and Bob Irish For more information on ONE Membership, Nancy and Derek Davis Dr. Michael W. Goerss Louis Jekel Robert Knight Legacy Society planned giving, and Tracy Denmark and Marc Schwimmer * Audrey and Fred Horne Eric Jungermann and Family • Sally Lakin other ways to support the art you love in Dr. Robert Dixon * Michael R. King Sue and Robert Karatz Scottsdale, please contact Erin Krivanek, Kathleen and Robert Duyck * Sally and Richard Lehmann Cynthia Muss Lawrence Gifts In Memory Of director of development, at 480-874-4620 Judith and John Ellerman * Elizabeth and James Lincoln Sara and David Lieberman (since July 1, 2020) or [email protected]. Angela and Jeffrey Glosser * Sandra Listello Arleen Lorrance and Diane Kennedy Pike Wallace Davidson Robin and Roy Grossman Dr. Kay Martens and Philip Cram J. Patrick McCarthy • Susan and Richard Bloomberg We make every effort to list accurate Jackie Gutsch * Amy Perciballi * Joan Mills Miller Estate • Roy Grossman information; if we have made any Jane and Dennis Henner Eric Pittman Diane Rejman • Elizabeth Silverman omissions or error by mistake, we Lynda and Arthur Horlick * Jean Quinsey Linda and Sherman Saperstein • Judy and Alan Wertheimer apologize and ask you to please contact us Susan and John Horseman * Tracy and Christian Serena • Debbie and Richard Yoken at [email protected]. Chris and Bob Irish * Kristine and Steve Short Sandy Greenhut David J. Itzkowitz * Cynthia and Anthony Siegle • Aviva Baer Richard Kiene Ronda and Carl Silver • Diana and David Smith $100,000 + Judy and Sam Linhart * Rowena Simberg Claire Keefnor Harvey Lisherness Delores Rodman and Dale Suran Billie Jo and Judd Herberger * • Madaline Krska Marcia and James Lowman * Jill Townsend Ted Stephan Lynn and Matthew Luger * Denise and William Villalon • Who’s Who Singles - AZ Inc. $10,000 - $24,999 Joan and Walter Magen * Brad Williams Felice Appell * Roberta and Stan Marks * Mary and Dale Fedewa * Linda Milhaven * Joan and David Goldfarb Jeffrey Miller * Alison Lewis and Craig Krumwiede * Elan Mizrahi * Paulette and Michael Miller * Thomas J. Morgan * Kathy and Michael Wills * Mary and David Patino * Kimberly and Erik Peterson * Hermine and Leo Philippe * $5,000 - $9,999 Rich and Penny Post * Charlotte and Gary Gilbert Laura Ahl and Jeff Rakoczy * Betty Hum and Alan Yudell Betsy R. Retchin * Peggy and Jamie Kapner * Carrie Lynn Richardson and Paul Giancola * Marie and Richard Stewart Lois and John Rogers * Tamar Weiss, In Memory of Emil Weiss Missy Romanoff * Merle and Steve Rosskam * $2,500 - $4,999 Susan and Richard Silverman * Dorothy Lincoln-Smith * Rhonda and Gary Anderson * Diana M. and David N. Smith * Paul Basha * Art C. Soares * Nancy and Chuck Brickman Paula and Jack Strickstein * Susie and Don Cogman * Gail and Fred Tieken * Jennie and Jerry Cox * Kimberly and John Davids * Rebecca and Sam Eden * Dorothy Rowe and Kenneth O'Connor * Doris and Eliot Minsker * Barbara Robbins * Linda and Paul Schmidt * Stanley Spiegel Trust * Patrick D Strieck and Brian J Fanning *

ScottsdaleArts.org | 480-499-TKTS 5 Corporate, Foundation & Government Partners

Scottsdale Arts is pleased to recognize the following corporations, foundations, government agencies, and in-kind donors for their support of the arts in our community this season. For more information on participating as a sponsor, please contact Denise Wisdom, corporate and foundation relations manager, at 480-874-4669 or [email protected].

World Class Partners ($50,000 +) Signature Partners ($5,000 - $9,999)

THE KEMPER AND ETHEL MARLEY FOUNDATION

Title Partners ($25,000 - $49,999)

Simoncic’s Opportunities In Arts and Robotics

WILLIAM L. AND RUTH T. PENDLETON MEMORIAL FUND DIANE AND BRUCE HALLE FAMILY FOUNDATION

INSTITUT FRANCAÍS- RELANCE EXPORT in partnership with HomeSlice Supporting Partners ($2,500 - $4,999)

CHARLES G. AND RHETA KRAMER S. REX AND JOAN LEWIS FOUNDATION FOUNDATION WALTER AND KARLA GOLDSCHMIDT FOUNDATION

Presenting Partners ($10,000 - $24,999) Small Business Collaborator Partners ($2,499 and below) Broadstone Waterfront La Señora at Saguaro Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town Museum of the West City of Scottsdale Solid Waste Services Nori Sushi & Asian Dining Cosanti Foundation Oh My Dog! Boutique Hotel & Spa Dollar Radio Rentals Phoenix College Experience Scottsdale Scottsdale Artists' School Havaianas Scottsdazzle Honor Health Shinbay Hoverlay Sizzle Korean BBQ Jewel of the Crown Southbridge Management THE VIRGINIA M. ULLMAN Juice Core Organic Super Chunk Sweets & Treats FOUNDATION Jules & JC Waterfront Properties Kelly’s at Southbridge W Scottsdale

6 ScottsdaleArts.org | 480-499-TKTS