Brandon Wallace: Artistry Spanning America, the Middle East, and the Balkans

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Brandon Wallace is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, educator, and instrument maker. His work spans American folk, Luiseño, Middle Eastern, and Balkan traditions. As a performer, cultural advocate, and craftsman, he approaches music with both breadth and depth, rooted in deep respect for the traditions he represents.

Brandon Wallace with Turkish lavta.

Born and raised in San Diego, Brandon began his musical journey on piano and violin, later adding mandolin, ukulele, 5-string banjo, guitar, Native American flute, and harmonica. He has performed with international artists such as Nattali Rize, Souren Baronian, Yair Dalal, Mac Lopez, and Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, as well as Southern California musicians including Sara Petite, Shawn Rohlf, Simians, Tracy Lee Nelson, and Fanny and the Attaboys. He has shared the stage with Grammy-nominated performers Amigo the Devil and Wayne “The Train” Hancock, and has recorded in San Diego and Nashville with Ken Coomer, Ben Moore, Jordan Andreen, and Steve Peavey, among others.

A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Brandon studied music under influential mentors Dr. Scott Marcus and Dr. Eric Ederer. He performed on seven instruments in the UCSB Middle East Ensemble and appeared multiple times at the UCLA Ladino Symposium. Twice awarded the Sarkis Tchejeyan Fellowship, he deepened his studies of the oud and ney. In San Diego, Shawn Rohlf and Steve Peavey shaped his exploration of American folk music.

Brandon is also a maker of kavals (Balkan/Anatolian flutes) and Native American flutes, crafts rooted in skills taught by his father and grandfather. He studied with master flute makers in Turkey, performed in Istanbul, and has since provided instruments to musicians across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. He also studied Native American flute traditions with Mac Lopez, a respected maker and recording artist whose spirit continues to inspire his work.

Brandon Wallace leading Native American flute workshop.

Of Luiseño heritage, Brandon is committed to cultural revitalization and language preservation. He collaborates with his mother in storytelling programs, providing musical accompaniment and, at times, speaking on traditional plant use and ethnobotany. In San Diego’s Serbian and Bulgarian communities, he performs for cultural events on kaval, accordion, violin, zurla, and tapan.

Brandon in a World Music in the Schools classroom.

As a teaching artist with World Music in the Schools, Brandon leads residencies in ukulele and banjo. He has also taught school workshops on banjo, kaval, Native American flute, and flute making, encouraging students to explore not only sound and rhythm but also the stories behind the music.

Brandon describes his work as a calling he follows naturally. Whether performing, teaching, or crafting instruments, he seeks to connect people to music’s power to carry culture, history, and human experience.

Watch Brandon perform the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 on ukulele:

And an improvisation on the Turkish lavta:

Here’s Brandon’s flute lecture/performance for the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians:

 

Image of Angelica Cardona performing Afro-Cuban dance.

Angelica Cardona: Celebrating Afro-Latin Music & Dance

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Angelica Cardona was born and raised in San Diego, California, the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and granddaughter of native Californios. Her love for dance and performance began in childhood with San Diego’s Ballet Folklórico Mexicano under the direction of Guadalupe Murguia, where she performed at cultural events throughout the region. She later made her debut as a gospel singer with St. Rita’s Gospel Choir, directed by Randy Glover, and went on to be featured as a lead soloist with the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir of San Diego, directed by Ken Anderson. Her theatrical talents were also showcased as a singer in UMOJA Theatre Company’s production of The Wiz.

Angelica Cardona

Angelica continued to explore her musical journey as the lead vocalist for Omo Aché Afro-Cuban Music & Dance Company, directed by master Afro-Cuban artist Juan Carlos Blanco. At UCLA’s Department of World Arts & Cultures, she studied Afro-Cuban dance, further deepening her understanding through field studies in Bahia, Brazil with UCLA and ACBEU (the Brazil-United States Cultural Association), and in Havana, Cuba with master Afro-Cuban artists in dance and ethnomusicology.

For over 23 years, Angelica has devoted herself to studying and performing Afro-Cuban music and dance, sharing her passion with audiences across California in schools, universities, and theaters. She currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer for Omo Aché Cuban Cultural Arts.

Her creative pursuits extending beyond Afro-Cuban traditions, Angelica has performed as a lead vocalist with the Cuban band Saoco Son and as a member of the Hip-Hop/Reggaeton duo In-Flow. She has also appeared as a percussionist and lead vocalist in A Cuban Christmas Carol at OnStage Playhouse and The High Table at Diversionary Theatre. At UC San Diego, she served as a vocal coach for the production of In the Red and Brown Water and is currently a percussionist dance classes in the university’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

Angelica in World Music in the Schools classroom with colleague.

Most recently, Angelica is a teaching artist with the Center for World Music’s World Music in the Schools program, where she teaches Afro-Cuban dance, drumming, and Spanish-language songs to students. In 2025, she earned a 60-hour Expressive Arts Educator Certificate through the VAPA Foundation’s SPARX Expressive Arts Initiative.

Angelica is passionate about using expressive arts to spark joy, foster cultural appreciation, and celebrate the richness of shared human experiences through the universal language of music and dance.

 

Image of Max Berry holding an mbira

From Zimbabwe to Indonesia: Max Berry’s Musical Journey

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Max Berry has been involved with the Center for World Music (CWM) and its World Music in the Schools program for almost two decades. A passionate and versatile musician, Max has explored a wide range of traditions, studying guitar, mbira, marimba, and gamelan. His deep curiosity and commitment to learning have made him a respected member of the local music community—and a valued addition to the CWM artist roster.

Image of Max Berry playing electric guitar on stageMax’s musical journey began in his teenage years in Ohio with the guitar. It continued through his studies at California State University San Marcos, where he earned a degree in Visual and Performing Arts. There, under the mentorship of music professor Randy Griswold, he was introduced to the traditional Shona music of Zimbabwe—an experience that sparked a lifelong interest in the music of world cultures. This passion led him to study with renowned Zimbabwean mbira masters Forward Kwenda and Cosmas Magaya, as well as other respected gwenyambiras.

After relocating to San Diego, Max quickly became a sought-after performer in the city’s vibrant world music scene. He formed close collaborations with fellow CWM teaching artists Nomsa Burkhardt and Garit Imhoff, eventually becoming a founding member of two ensembles: Izinde and Zimbeat. The latter was nominated for Best World Music Ensemble at the 2013 San Diego Music Awards. Today, Max continues to perform with both groups while also playing guitar for Mokoto, a local Afro-pop band dedicated to Shona music.

His musical exploration didn’t stop there. Inspired by CWM teaching artist Pak Djoko Walujo, Max undertook a serious study of Javanese gamelan and now performs West Javanese gamelan degung with Kembang Sunda, one of the CWM’s Ensembles-in-Residence.

Max Berry playing with Gamelan Kembang Sunda with musicians sitting at their instruments on the stage floor.Known for his calm presence and approachable nature, Max is especially gifted at working with children. He spent several years teaching guitar at America’s Finest Charter School and recently taught mbira for a semester at the San Diego French American School through a World Music in the Schools residency.

Max Berry with Nomsa Burkhart and Friends, on stage following a school assembly programAs a frequent performer in World Music in the Schools assemblies in the San Diego area, Max has introduced thousands of students to the music and cultures of Zimbabwe, South Africa, Java, and beyond, making a lasting impact through the universal language of music.

Watch Max playing mbira with John Hofisi, a colleague from the band Mokoto:

Listen to the album “Messenger” by Mokoto.

Watch Max (center) performing with Kembang Sunda:

 

Image of Edie Stanley performing Hawaiian dance on stage

Edie Heali‘i: Dancer, Educator, and Tradition Bearer for Polynesian Culture

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The Center for World Music is happy to include Edieann Heali‘i ‘O Nalani Stanley—better known as Edie Heali‘i—in our World Music in the Schools roster of teaching artists.

A respected kumu (teacher) of Hawaiian dance and an internationally acclaimed performer, Edie brings her deep cultural knowledge to every performance and every classroom she enters. She joins her brothers, Anthony and James Stanley, as the third member of her family to become part of the Center’s teaching staff, sharing Island traditions with students across San Diego.

As a traditional Polynesian dancer, cultural ambassador, and hula instructor, Edie’s artistry is rooted in heritage, storytelling, and a strong connection to community. She grew up in San Diego surrounded by Hawaiian music, dance, and oral history, foundations that continue to guide her work. Edie began studying dance early in life under the mentorship of her mother, renowned dancer Kathy Healiʻi O Nālani Gore Stanley. By the age of 14, Edie was performing as a solo dancer, sharing the stage with celebrated musicians including vocalist Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom and the bands Kapena and The Makaha Sons.

In 2006, Edie graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a minor in business administration. She has represented the Hawaiian community as Miss Pacific Islander of San Diego and Miss Hui O Hawai‘i. In 2008, she was chosen as one of twelve women worldwide to compete at the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition, an honor that led to international touring opportunities. Through performances, exhibitions, and educational workshops across Hawai‘i and the continental U.S., Edie has become a vital force in preserving and sharing Pacific Island cultures.

Image of Edie Stanley Teaching at Murdock Elementary School with students following her movements

Edie Stanley Teaching at Murdock Elementary School

Today, Edie serves as artistic director of Healiʻi’s Polynesian Revue and is the founder of Power of Hula. Together with her ohana (family) she continues to keep the traditions of Hawai‘i, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand vibrant in San Diego. The family lives by the motto ‘A ‘ohe hana nui ke ‘alu ‘ia, “No task is too great when done together by all.”

As a resident teaching artist and assembly performer with the Center for World Music’s World Music in the Schools program, Edie shares her rich cultural background and love of dance with students across the region. We join our students in saying “Mahalo Edie.”

Watch an ABC Ten News video featuring Edie and her mother and celebrating Healiʻi’s Polynesian Revue:

Clip from YouTube "ABC 10 Masters of Hula in San Diego"

 

Dramane Koné: Griot and Master Drummer

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Born into the renowned Koné griot lineage in Burkina Faso, West Africa, Dramane Koné began playing the djembe (goblet drum) at just three years old. Taught by his father and grandfather—both master drummers—he quickly developed extraordinary skill. By his early teens, he was already recognized as a world-class djembefola, a dedicated practitioner of traditional djembe music.

As a griot, Dramane is a guardian of West African musical traditions, passed down orally through generations. His electrifying performances and deep cultural knowledge have earned him international acclaim. He has toured extensively across Europe and the U.S., performing as a soloist and with prestigious groups like the National Ballet of Burkina Faso. Now based in California, he continues to share the rich rhythms of West Africa through performances, teaching, and workshops. He is also an active member of Drum Café West, bringing high-energy drumming to corporate and cultural events.

During his childhood, Dramane’s family moved to Mali before returning to Burkina Faso. His early musical journey was featured in the award-winning 1997 film Great Great Great Grandparents’ Music by filmmaker Taale Laafi Rossellini. A four-year-old Dramane appears in the film (see clip below), already immersed in his craft.

Dramane playing balafon

Image of Dramane on TEDx stage

Dramane on TEDx stage

His passion for music and teaching shines in every performance, where his mastery of the djembe and balafon (gourd-resonated xylophone) transports audiences into the heart of African traditions. He sees his mission as spreading joy, love, laughter, and cultural connection through rhythm and song.

For the Center for World Music, Dramane and his ensemble, Ballet Djelia Kadi, perform at school assemblies, senior programs, and community events in San Diego, inspiring new generations through the power of music.

For Further Exploration

Watch Dramane Koné and members of Ballet Djelia Kadi performing at Cedar Cove Academy:

A clip from the Grandparents’ Music video mentioned above, showing Dramane studying balafon with his father:

 

Joko Sutrisno: 35 Years of Sharing Javanese Music

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Joko Sutrisno is a distinguished Javanese gamelan performer, composer, and educator whose career spans both Indonesia and the international stage. A graduate of the Indonesian Institute of Arts in Surakarta, Java, in 1987, Sutrisno has dedicated his life to sharing the beauty and complexity of gamelan music with diverse audiences worldwide.

He began his international teaching journey as the director of the gamelan ensemble at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, a role he held for eight years. In 1995, he moved to Minnesota, where he served as the artistic director of the Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble until 2023.

Currently, Sutrisno holds dual appointments as a professor of gamelan at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music and UC Riverside’s School of Music. Additionally, he is the consulting director for gamelan ensembles at Saint Thomas University, the University of South Dakota, Concordia College, and Hamilton College. In 2024, he was named an apprentice with the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA).

As a composer, Sutrisno has created over 20 original works that blend Javanese gamelan with a wide variety of art forms, including Western symphony and choir, Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Middle Eastern, and West African music. His innovative collaborations demonstrate his commitment to bridging cultural traditions and expanding the reach of gamelan music.

Sutrisno’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Creative Individuals Award from the Minnesota State Arts Board (2022, 2023), the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Indonesian Institute of Arts in Surakarta (2018), and a McKnight Composer Fellowship (2016).

Pak Joko in class at Canyon Crest Academy

Since 2010, Sutrisno has been a teaching artist with the Center for World Music, where he leads the Javanese gamelan program at Canyon Crest Academy High School. This thriving program reflects his dedication to inspiring the next generation of musicians. Alongside his wife and artistic partner, Tri Martodikromo, Sutrisno continues to share the rich traditions of Central Javanese court music, dance, and language.

It is a true privilege to have such a highly respected and accomplished artist as part of the Center for World Music’s teaching team in San Diego.

Videos for Further Exploration

Joko Sutrisno directing full gamelan performance with dancer:


And a short clip with Pak Joko playing gendèr:

 

Quin Herron playing tin whistle with school children watching.

Quin Herron: Bringing People Together with Irish Music

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Originally from Plano, Texas, and raised in La Mesa, California, Quin Herron was drawn to traditional Irish music after being captivated by the sounds of James Galway and The Chieftains. Today, he serves as chair of the San Diego chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Irish Gaelic: “Gathering of Musicians of Ireland”), an international organization dedicated to promoting Irish music, dance, language, and culture. Whenever he has the chance, Quin travels to Ireland to deepen his connection to the music and culture.

Portrait of Quin HerronAs a high school junior, Quin spent a year in Belgium as a Rotary exchange student. Later, while studying creative writing and music at the University of San Francisco, he completed a junior year abroad at Trinity College Dublin. This experience allowed him to travel extensively across Europe and especially in Ireland.

A skilled musician, Quin plays both the Irish tin whistle—a keyless, end-blown flute ideal for beginners—and the Irish flute, typically crafted from wood and based on the classical flute design of the 19th century. Known for its rhythmic, percussive, and expressive qualities, the Irish flute perfectly suits Ireland’s vibrant dance music. Quin honed his flute skills by studying with some of Ireland’s top musicians and playing in traditional music sessions across the country.

In addition to his instrumental work, Quin is an accomplished vocalist, performing Irish songs in the unaccompanied Sean-nós (old style) tradition. He also lends his voice as a tenor with the San Diego Master Chorale and serves as a cantor at Santa Sophia Catholic Church.

In his role with CWM’s World Music in the Schools program, Quin introduces students to Irish melodies on the tin whistle and teaches them traditional Irish songs. A tin whistle is available for each student thanks to donations from the community collected by Comhaltas.

If there’s traditional Irish music happening in San Diego, you’re likely to find Quin there. He’s a regular on Tuesdays at The Ould Sod in Normal Heights and on Saturdays at The Pub in Bay Park. His band, Gallowglass, is also preparing to release a new album.

Videos for Further Exploration

Gallowglass, with Quin on flute, performing “Over the Moor to Maggie”:


And a short clip with Quin on vocal:

 

Yale Strom: Bringing Klezmer Music to San Diego Schools

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Yale Strom is a San Diego-based violinist and leading authority on klezmer traditions of the Jewish and Roma communities of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. A versatile and prolific artist, Strom’s expertise spans roles as a musician, composer, ethnographer, filmmaker, educator, playwright, and more. He regularly performs in San Diego, New York, and internationally, with a broad portfolio of creative work, as detailed on his Wikipedia page.

Born in Detroit in 1957, Strom’s journey with the violin began at the age of eight, sparked by free music lessons offered in his primary school. Growing up in a musically rich family—his mother a pianist, his father an avid music lover—he was naturally drawn to the world of music. In 1982, he formed his first band, Hot Pstromi, a project that has been central to his artistic life. Based in both San Diego and New York, Strom continues to compose and perform with the group, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to his craft.

Through the CWM’s World Music in the Schools Assemblies program, Strom and his now-renowned band introduce students to the diverse sounds of klezmer, blending Khasidic nigunim (vocal music) with Romani, jazz, classical, Balkan, and Sephardic elements. Whether in school programs or the CWM’s Access to the Arts for Seniors, Strom enriches performances with storytelling, helping audiences—whether familiar with klezmer music or not—discover the depth and history of this vibrant musical tradition.

For more on Strom’s extensive achievements, visit his website at www.yalestrom.com.

Videos for Further Exploration

Enjoy Yale Strom performing with Hot Pstromi at the historic Museum at Eldridge Street, New York City:


And Yale and Hot Pstromi at UCSD’s Park & Market in San Diego:

 

Image of Ali Paris LA benefit concert for Save a Child's Heart Fund

Ali Paris: Master of the Middle Eastern Qanun

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An internationally acclaimed musician and one of the foremost qanun players of his generation, Ali Paris is celebrated for his exceptional mastery and innovative artistry on his 14th-century traditional instrument. Blending the rich traditions of Middle Eastern music with elements of Western styles, Ali has captivated audiences around the world. He has been described as an “unrivaled, unique artist” by the legendary Quincy Jones and “one of the most eclectic and diverse artists” by Grammy-winning musician Paul Simon, who attended many of Ali’s concerts at Lincoln Center in New York.

Born in Morocco, Ali began his musical education at the age of five. By the age of nine, he was discovered by Simon Shaheen, a master performer and educator of traditional Arabic music. Recognizing Ali’s potential, Shaheen mentored him as a protégé. Soon, Ali was performing in prestigious concert halls, and by eleven, he had embarked on his first European tour.

Since then, Ali has garnered numerous international accolades, including the prestigious Marcel Khalife Best Artist of the Year award, which he won for four consecutive years. His career has expanded exponentially, earning him a degree from Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. Throughout his journey, he has collaborated with an illustrious list of world-renowned artists, including the late Paco De Lucia, Buika, Alicia Keys, Bobby McFerrin, and Javier Limón.

Ali has performed at many of the world’s most esteemed venues, from the White House and the Newport and Montreux jazz festivals to the Royal Palace in Jordan, where he gave a solo performance for Queen Rania of Jordan. He has also performed as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Philharmonic and was featured in the Grammy-winning Spanish documentary Entre2aguas, as well as the Hollywood film Noah.

Ali’s performances are distinguished by his exploration of fertile ground between Eastern and Western musical traditions, creating a powerful dialog between cultures and genres.  His dedication to humanitarian causes has seen him collaborate with numerous world-class artists to support initiatives such as Doctors Without Borders, Save a Child’s Heart, and Keep A Child Alive. His work with Alejandro Sanz has also helped fund vital humanitarian projects in Africa and the Middle East.

Ali Paris on stage for school assembly

 

If students walked away from one of my assemblies with one profound lesson, it would be the realization that music is not just a series of notes and rhythms but a powerful, universal language that bridges cultures, nurtures empathy, and celebrates diversity

Through the vibrant sounds of Arabic music, the unique textures of traditional instruments, and the joy of shared songs and dances, I want each child to understand that while we may come from different corners of the world, our hearts beat to the same rhythm. This rhythm, rooted in our collective human experience, reminds us that we are all connected.

—Ali Paris

In June 2023, Ali was featured in the CWM series Music on the Move at Mingei International Museum. He is deeply committed to education through his involvement with the CWM’s World Music in the Schools program, regularly visiting school partners to conduct dynamic workshops and assemblies. Through these programs, he shares the beauty and depth of Middle Eastern music and culture, providing students with an engaging introduction to Arabic music and traditions.

 

Videos for Further Exploration

Watch Ali Paris performing with the Detroit-based National Arab Orchestra:


Ali Paris on stage at the Newport Jazz Festival:

 

James Stanley: Teaching Hawaiian Ukulele, Movement, and Culture

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James Stanley is a San Diego native who was raised embracing, embodying, and sharing Hawaiian culture and arts. He is the eldest son of Kumu (Hula Teacher) Kathy Heali’i Gore Stanley, the founder of San Diego’s Heali’i’s Polynesian Revue. As such, James was immersed in Polynesian arts and began performing dance and playing the ukulele at a very young age. His love of dance and movement eventually inspired him to earn a BA in kinesiology from CSU Northridge in 2018.

Image of James Stanley performing traditional Hawaiian dance

James Stanley performing traditional Hawaiian dance

James has performed with many of Hawai’i’s music legends, including HAPA, Na Leo Pilimehana, Amy Hānaiali’i, Makaha Sons, and Kalani Pe’a. Today, James is an alakaʻi (co-leader) and kāne director (men’s director) for Heali’i’s Polynesian Revue. He pours his aloha into nurturing his family’s hālau (Hawaiian dance school) through music, dancing, and traditional practices.

We are proud to have James as a teaching artist for the CWM’s youth education program, World Music in the Schools. James engages over 900 San Diego County school children a week with Hawaiian language and traditions, ukulele, and dancing.

Image of James Stanley in a World Music in the Schools classroom

James Stanley in a World Music in the Schools classroom

James’ brother, Anthony Kauka Stanley is also a teaching artist for the School’s program. Learn more about Anthony from his profile on our website.

For Further Exploration

Watch James Stanley on stage performing Hawaiian dance to the music of the Mākaha Sons: