US-based Ghanaian choreographer, Ishmael Konney Undre has been revealed as the new tenure-track Assistant Professor of African and Latin Diaspora Dance of the UWM Peck School. This wonderful decision was made after a thorough search by the Department of Dance for a reputable candidate.
The certified Pilates Mat teacher, who doubles as an interdisciplinary artist, was born and raised in La, a suburb of the capital city of Ghana, Accra. He is a proud product of the University of Education, Winneba, where he gained his Undergraduate Degree in Theatre Arts. He went on to earn a Master of Arts Degree in International Studies at Ohio University and his Master In Fine Arts Degree in Dance at Ohio State University.
Growing up with an extensive background in the traditional African drums, the impressive choreographer studied Theatre as an undergraduate, and then spent a whooping three years in the National Dance Company/National Theatre of Ghana, which stands tall amongst the dance companies in West African. His research on the migration of the Ga people, who settled on the coastal part of the country, got him the Iles award “W)gb3j3k3”.
Ishmael, who had some thesis targeted at the promotion of the Ghanaian cultural identity, is an Assistant Teaching Professor of West African Dance at Ball State University.t His immediate research focuses on the Ghanaian storytelling tradition and its incorporation with contemporary dance. He also serves as dance faculty for Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and as a board member for Ohio Dance under the Governance Committee.
UW-Milwaukee Dance takes students through Yoga, Jazz Dance, Contemporary Dance, Afro-Latin Dance, Hip Hop, Breaking and Locking, Improvisation, and Composition. They aim at intensifying dance practices, developing techniques and creativities in diverse ways to help young dancers with all the requisite skills needed for a great dance career ahead. They also employ the services of high-caliber choreography experts for their programs.
Ishmael recently collaborated with Jenn Meckley of the dance faculty at Ball State University to produce a beautifully crafted choreography titled “Fusion”. This project was massively appreciated by communities. It also exhibited the dynamic interweaving of traditional West African forms, American house dance, Afro-house dance, dancehall, Afrobeats, and Hip-Hop. He also explored the intersectionality between Ghanaian cultural practices and contemporary dance.
The growth of Ishmael Konney to the point of being the Assistant Professor of African and Latin Diaspora Dance of a university off the shores of Ghana is a commendable one. This is one of the steps that serves as a motivational factor to all well-meaning young Africans. Hopefully, we see more elevating steps from himself and other Ghanaian choreographers all over the world.
By: Brah Alidu
