Meet the Artist!!
We are a cultured based performing arts organization that focuses on TRADITIONAL African Music Arts and Culture.
We are based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The culture scene here is rarely seen so we decided since we were ALL raised in the culture that we would bring it back to the HOOD!! And make it HOT!! Here are some of the members of Ina Onilu.
Ryan Washington
CEO of The Village Drum Repair & Restoration, LLC
Founding Member/Musical Director/Performing Artist/ Drum Instructor Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Ryan Washington has performed and taught djembe drumming across the US. for more than 18 years Ryan has evolved his artistry as well as the art of making drums. As a troubled youth Ryan was given a Djembe drum and some teaching from different african culture. Ryan started his studies under the direction of Doctor Cecil Austin .with the need for more knowledge Ryan joint Ko-thi’s children's company Ton Ko-Thi as their lead drummer. At the age of 17 Ryan started to perform with ko-thi dance company . Ryan quickly gain the knowledge to become a drum teacher and assistant musical director of Ko-thi dance company. Ryan has been a guest artist on dozens of other recording projects, videos, and films. Dedicated to teaching drumming, and The culture.
Ryan has taken his teaching of making and playing Djembe to a new level. Opening his own drum sales & repair business (The Village Drum Sales and Repairs) as well drum painting and bags. While fully committed to Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble as their musical director, Ryan hopes to make Ina Onilu an International known and recongnized African Drum and Dance company.
Craig Burnett
Founding Member/Performing Artist/Drum Instructor
Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Craig Burnett was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Craig always had an ear for music as a child. He attended Milwaukee High School of the Arts (MHSA), were percussion was his major. While attending MHSA he joined Lucky Diop and Ajula. During his high school career Craig’s passion for djembe developed.
After high school Craig drummed and performed with the Ko-Thi African Dance Company for a year. He was under the direction of Romero Beverly. He also worked with Assane Seck, Futch du Senegal, for several years. Craig also had the privilege to work and travel with Dr. Austin and Omoana.
Many would not believe Craig’s passion because he was heavy into visual arts. Craig believes that drumming is not just an art form but a language. He says that, “It’s not just a talent, drumming lives in you.”Craig wants to spread the tradition of West African Culture. He also wants to increase cultural awareness. Craig uses the discipline he learned from his teachers. He uses his dedication and determination to guide his life.
Today he works for the City of Milwaukee, Urban Forestry. Craig is also a proud father of two
amazing children. In addition to working and parenting he is a member of Ina Onilu Dance and Drum Ensemble. In his spare time you will find him playing djembe with his two boys or relaxing with family and friends.
Akilah Young
Operations Manager/Performing Artist/Dance Instructor
Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Akilah started dancing in studio classes at the age 4 with Ko-Thi Dance Company. Advanced to their childrens troupe at the age of 8 and remained there until her entrance into high school. Attended MHSA for high school years where she majored in dance. During the high school years, she studied under Sandra Jordan, Dean Drews, Jennifer Toth, Allen D Gartrell. Shortly after graduating from MHSA Akilah returned to Ko-Thi and danced under Roxanne Kess, Deangelo Boston, and Valencia Turner. Akilah moved to Phoenix, Az where she took and taught a various of african, carribean, and Salsa classes. Returned to Milwaukee and joined Ina Onilu.
Nichole Jackson
Treasurer/Performing Artist
Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Nichole Jackson is originally from DC but has called Milwaukee home for the past 9 years. She's been studying African dance for 4 years and recently worked up the courage to start performing. Her love for dance and the joy it brings is the heartbeat and pulse for her life. She's blessed to have joined Ina Onilu, a group that supports her growing in dance and sharing that love of dance & culture with the community.
Shalonda Woods
Performing Artist with Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Born July 20, 1989 in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Shalonda or Shay as everyone calls her began dancing as a young child. She realized dance was her passion at age 11. During her middle school days she was the captain of Edison Middle School Dance Troupe. After middle school, Shay was introduced to Ocean of Soul Dance Troupe, a Milwaukee High School of the Arts competitive dance team. While studying under Ms. Sandra Jordan and Dean Drews at MHSA, Shay was able to broaden her knowledge base with more than just Hip Hop dance. Shalonda’s techniques include Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and of course, Traditional West African Dance. She graduated MHSA at the highest dance level that is obtainable. After graduating, Shalonda took a break from dancing. The Community Dance Classes that Ina Onilu provides is what made Shalonda want to dance again. After faithfully attending the Tuesday night classes, Shay was offered a chance to become a member of Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble. The rest is history in the making!!
Ojumire Charleston
Founding Member/Performing Artist/ Drum Instructor
/Artist Recruitment/Cultural Artistic Director
Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Born on Feb 9 1985 in Milwaukee,Wisconsin, Sherice “Ojumire” Charleston has been immersed in the African culture arts since her youth, beginning with Omo-Ana Children of the spirit of the drum, under very strict almost militant type direction of Dr.Cecil Austin/Baba Ifakanbi. Continuing her studies as a teenager with the Milwaukee Public Theatre receiving theatrical training & performing with “Ajula Performance troupe” (Lucky Diop). Shortly after completing high school in 2003 she became very studious in art of West African percussion.Traveling to many different conferences, taking class from international artist such as Master drummers Mbemba Bangoura & Fode Bangoura,and home studying with Master Drummer YaYa Kambaye of Senegal West Africa. Under the instruction of Yaya Kambaye she began performing alongside her teacher with Jam AK Jam Afro Dance Theatre (Patrice Nassalang). Soon she became an independent contractor, accompanying African Dance Teachers such as Naima Adedapo (2011 American Idol top 10 finalist), & also Tosha “Ayo” Alston, (Ayodele Drum & Dance) at Baba Chucks Davis 1st “Dance Africa Atlanta”. Ms. Oju has also taught at local Boys and Girls Clubs & surrounding Milwaukee Area schools. She has since then become a percussionist for several different companies, Ina Onilu Drum & Dance Ensemble, the all women’s Drum and Dance Ensemble “Ayodele” (Tosha Alston) out of Chicago Ill, Gye Nyame Childrens Dance ( Valencia Turner), and Ko-Thi Dance Co. She now lives in Milwaukee Wisconsin, where she is continuing her studies in the African Culture.
For over 20 years, Ken Brown II has studied, traveled, and performed with numerous dance companies in Milwaukee, WI and Philadelphia/South Jersey area playing the traditional West African Djembe drum, including Nefertari African Dance Company, Ton Ko Thi Dance Company, Universal African Dance Troupe, to name a few. As a Milwaukee native, Ken got involved in the local Hip Hop scene and instantly noticed the need for African Culture and music needing to be infused with today’s Hip Hop. He has also been equipped with the knowledge of proper community organizing and running campaigns. Ken decided to organize some of the drummers to promote and manage them. In the process of organizing these amazing artists Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble was born.
Ken Brown II
Founding Member/Performring Artist/ Drum Instructor
Executive Director
Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Kayla Brown
Executive Assistant to Ken Brown II
Videographer/Photographer/Graphic/
Web Designer
Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
From a early age Kayla was involved in the arts. Growing up she came from a musical family, she studied classical piano but later realized she has a good eye as a young adullt. Kayla stumbled upon photography in 2006 after getting hired at Sears Portrait Studio. It soon became her passion and she realized this is was what she wanted to do as her career. Seven years later she has worked at numerous studios and has gained years of experince. Besides photography Kayla also has knowlege in web design and graphic arts. Kayla came into the Ina Onilu team in 2013. During her interview and portfolio review, she sold us when she said she could bring her creativting to the culture as well as our table.
Oya Gbi Le Osadele
National Performing Artist/Cultural Consultant
"Sit in" Djembefola
Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Oya Gbi Le Osadele was born in 1995 in the Oyotunji African Village, South Carolina. He was trained in the arts of West African percussion and dance from a young age. He is a graduate of the Yoruba Royal Academy of Oyotunji. His particular focus deals with Yoruba drum and dance. He has been an annual percussionist at the Gullah and Heritage festivals in South Carolina. He has worked with master drummers from across the diaspora such as Odun Ogunlano (Ajose Afrikan) and Sherice Ojumire Charleston (Ina Onilu). Oya Gbi Le has taken his 13 years of experience with these drummers and developed his own style of drum talk.
Terrie Jordan
Performing Artist/ Dance Instructor with Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble
Terrie, born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, August 11 1995, was always the child with high energy and dance fever! She started as a praise dancer at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. in 2006, Terrie began attending the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee where she met Ms. Valencia Turner. Ms. Turner seen something special in Terrie and pulled her into a program called “Club Ko-Thi”. Terrie studied diligently for about 2 years. During this 2 year period, Terrie was asked to join Ton Ko-Thi Dance Company. By 2010, Terrie was performing with both the youth and adult Ko-Thi Dance Companies. Terrie attended MHSA from 2009-2013 studying with Ko-Thi Dance Company as well as MHSA instructors Dean Drews, Roxanne Kess, and Sandra Jordan. She was able to learn Ballet, African Dance, Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Praise styles. in 2015, Terrie left Ko-Thi Dance Company and came across Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble to further her career as a dance mentor and instructor! We embrace Terrie and happily call her the baby of Ina Onilu!!
Chyla Flanders
Performing Artist/ Research Specialist/ Secertary
with Ina Onilu Drum and Dance Ensemble