Roots, Rhythms, and Harmony

Musical Exchange: The Guyanese Experience

RESEARCH: Vibert C. Cambridge, Ph.D., A.A.

DESIGN: Samuel Williams, B.A. (Cornell)

BACKGROUND & ORIENTATION

“In a multi-ethnic society such as Guyana … the concepts of musical encounters, musical interaction, and musical exchange are of special importance…” (Cambridge, p. 6)

Guyanese musical life is a sensitive barometer on the state of Guyanese society—a complex, living tapestry. This digital Timeline is a work in progress, illustrating the myriad factors that have shaped how music was created and valorized across the long Guyanese experience.

Spanning from Guyana’s pre-Columbian heritage and Amazonian roots to modern day, this timeline identifies “milestones” and “critical moments,” and the outcomes of musical exchanges among our root cultures. It serves as an active resource for the 2026 symposium, Musical Exchange: The Guyanese Experience.

This exhibition draws upon original research from Vibert Cambridge’s Musical Life in Guyana: History and Politics of Controlling Creativity, enriched by invaluable community contributions. From Julio Thijs’ family photographs of The Troubadours (an old-time Portuguese String Band from Albouystown in the early 20th century) to crowdsourced registries of historical venues and pioneering female guitarists. This timeline is a shared creation. We invite your continued additions and corrections to this database.

THE DIASPORA FEEDBACK LOOP

We use the heading “Meanwhile in Europe and North America” as a place to capture data about the musical dynamics of the Guyanese diaspora. In this timeline, the diaspora serves as a vital marker for the dynamic circulation of sound, style, genre, and groove between the homeland and the world. Their work and achievement were seen as expressions of cultural confidence which gave cultural pride.

Overview

This exhibition provides an overview of Guyanese musical history and diaspora influence. It also examines the following additional themes

Early Colonial and Post-Emancipation Musical Foundations
Development of Musical Institutions and Cultural Identity
Influence of Diaspora and International Musicians
Education, Transmission, and State Role in Music
Impact of State Policies and Cultural Resistance
Evolution of Musical Technologies and Media
Role of Venues and Festivals in Cultural Expression
Children’s Access to Music and Educational Pathways

The timeline also provides various lists. Among them lists of venues; musical ensembles; and guitar players, including women guitar players. The timeline is organized by decade starting with the Late 19th century and continuing by decade across the 20th century to the second decade of the 21st century.

The Guyanese Musical Experience

Scroll to explore

Musical Exchange: The Guyanese Experience
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Lefferts Historic House Museum
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
Hosts: Jasper Adams and Shauna Parker-Harding
Musical Director: Kurleigh Lowe
Creative Director: Clive Prowell
Chair, 2026 Symposium Planning Committee: Vibert C. Cambridge, A.A., Ph.D.

Introduction and Overview
“Guyana’s music is not one tradition—it’s a conversation across peoples, time, and technology.” — Kurleigh Lowe, Musical Director, GCA 2026 Symposium

The 2026 Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) Symposium is an interactive exploration of Guyanese musical identity. The program traces its development from ancestral roots and plantation experiences, through 20th-century migration networks, to technological futures and policy advocacy.

The story unfolds across three dynamic acts:

Act I: Origins — Ancestral roots and plantation experiences
Act II: Routes — 20th-century migrations and urban exchanges
Act III: Futures — Artificial intelligence, modern innovation, and advocacy

A New Approach to Public History
Grounded in collaboration, co-discovery, and co-creation, the 2026 symposium models a fresh approach to public history. Instead of relying on traditional lectures, the program brings history directly to the public through dynamic tools and audience participation strategies.

By engaging audiences as co-creators rather than passive listeners, the symposium creates a shared space to examine how Guyana’s root cultures interact.

The 2026 symposium brings together musicians, scholars, educators, computer scientists, and the public to examine an essential yet underexamined dimension of Guyanese cultural life: the musical interactions among our root cultures.

While dominant historical narratives often center on struggle and sacrifice, Guyanese musical life represents “cultural neoplasticity”—the continuous capacity of people to heal, innovate, and build just and caring societies.

The Contemporary “Churn”
Musical life in contemporary Guyana is rapidly shifting across generations, technology, and economic spheres. This dynamic multi-dimensional “churn” is driven by three key forces—technology and innovation, new movements, and the Orange Economy. Digital tools are reshaping contemporary music-making. Emerging styles such as “One Man Bands” and Gavin Mendonca’s fusion of folk and rock are attracting attention. There is growing recognition of the creative sector as an economic driver—the Orange Economy.

This active “churning” fosters social capital and cultural confidence—key ingredients for individual and collective efficacy.

Honoring Our Legacy
For 25 years, the GCA has dedicated the annual symposium to examining our shared heritage. The 2026 Symposium celebrates the quiet ways musical exchanges have become part of our collective identity, laying the groundwork for the upcoming Guyana Folk Festival season.

What follows are details on the members of the planning team responsible for conceptualizing and organizing the 2026 symposium under the theme: Musical Exchange: The Guyanese Experience.

The Symposium Planning Team

The President and executives of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc, extends sincere appreciation and thanks to the following individuals and organizations for supporting the organization of the 2026 Symposium.

Symposium Planning Team

Jasper Adams. Member, Symposium Planning Team.
Ave Brewster-Haynes, President, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.
Vibert C. Cambridge, A.A., Ph.D., Chair, Symposium Planning Team.
Edgar Henry, Vice-President, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.
Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie, Member, Symposium Planning Team.
Kurleigh Lowe, Musical Director, Symposium Planning Team.
Dr. Rose October, Executive Director, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.
Kishore Seunarine, Member, Symposium Planning Team.
Michele Singh, Secretary, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.
Clive Prowell, Cultural Director, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.
Shauna Parker-Harding, Assistant Secretary, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.

Sponsors, Contributors, and Supporters

Prospect Park Alliance (PPA), New York, USA.
Dr. Dylan Yeats
Margaret Lawrence, Managing Director, Merundoi Incorporated, Guyana., Masquerade Association (Guyana), Inc.

Claire Patterson-Mona, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.
Kenton Wyatt, Artist-in-Residence

Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (Guyana)
Dr. Dara Byrne, Dean, John Jay College, New York, USA
Dr. Adrienne Rooney, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Dr. Alyssa Trotz, Professor, University of Toronto, Canada
Dr. Carolyn Walcott, Associate Professor, Clayton State University, Georgia, USA
Rohan Sagar, Digital Heritage Guyana
Dmitri Allicok
Erwin “Flantis” Edwards
Dr. Jimmi Hendricks, Nine Nations
Niix Butler, Silent Walls Project, Nine Nations
Nelsonia Persaud, University of Guyana
Cheryl Knights
Russel Lancaster, Masquerade Association (Guyana) Inc.
Joycelynne Josiah, President, Guyana Masquerade Association (Guyana), Inc.

Volunteers

Prospect Park Alliance.

Artist-in-Residence:

Kenton Wyatt

Participants/Presenters

RKHTY Aaron.

RKHTY (Ruh-keh-ti) is a Brooklyn born, Guyanese musical artist whose music explores identity, growth, and purpose. Not bound by genre, she draws from the rich cultural influences of both Brooklyn and Guyana, and creates music that bridges generations, celebrates heritage, and encourages self-reflection. RKHTY is a public health communicator and advocate. She holds a Master of Science in Health Communication for Social Change from the CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy and serves in the New York City Mayor's Office of Public Engagement, where she combines creativity, community engagement, and advocacy to drive meaningful impact.

Jasper Adams

Jasper Adams, Member, 2026 Guyana Folk Festival Symposium Planning Team. Jasper Adams is a former theatre and media practitioner. He has worked on stages and studios in Guyana, the wider Caribbean, North America and England. He hails from Kitty and is currently resident in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Berbice Delight Dance Company

Ave Maria Brewster Haynes

Dedicated Public Servant, Communication and Broadcast Administrator: Served as Public Relations/Press Officer to the Office of Presidents L.F.S Burnham and Hugh Desmond Hoyte; General Manager of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation - the first woman to head Radio; Six years (3 terms) as Warden of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Brooklyn - recipient of the Bishop’s Medal of Service, Diocese of Long Island; Member of St. Gabriel’s Older Adult Center Board of Directors; 2021 – present: President of the Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) of New York, Inc.

Dr. Vibert C. Cambridge, A.A.

Professor Emeritus, Ohio University, Athens, OH. GCA Award (2005), GCA Lifetime Achievement Award (2024). Author, Musical Life in Guyana: History and Politics of Controlling Creativity (University Press of Mississippi, 2015)—"the first in-depth study of Guyanese musical life.”

Heather Coates

Founder and CEO of Cybrilliant, a cybersecurity risk consulting firm and independent record label. She is also the creator of the Me'Yana Muzik Project. Heather is a member of the three-person team facilitating Creating with Integrity: AI & Music Workshop.

Miriam Corlette

2026 Derry Etkins Memorial Prize for Excellence in Music (Composition, Performance and Preservation). Miriam is a renowned Guyanese gospel singer known for her powerful voice, faith-driven music, and inspirational performances. Miriam has performed across the Caribbean and North America, blending traditional gospel with contemporary sounds. Her music offers comfort, hope, and healing, earning her the title of Ambassador of Music by the United Nations for promoting unity and cultural exchange Miriam’s authenticity and passion set her apart - she’s a servant of God using music to transform lives and spread love. Her legacy inspires audiences worldwide, reminding us of God’s love through her songs. Miriam Corlette continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world. Her legacy as a gospel singer and ambassador of music is a testament to the profound impact that music can have in building bridges of hope, healing, and unity. Miriam’s journey is one of faith, passion, and purpose—an inspiring story of a woman who has dedicated her life to spreading the message of love and hope through the universal language of music.

Erwin “Flantis” Edwards

GCA 2026 Exemplary Awardee. Born in Georgetown, Guyana, “Flantis” discovered music, at age 16, by secretly teaching himself to play his father’s saxophone - a gift that would shape a lifetime of artistic excellence. His foundation was honed in the Guyana Police Force Band, where he mastered multiple instruments and performed at national and cultural events. He was guided by musical and cultural icons such as Lynette Dolphin and the Pilgrim brothers. Migrating to the United States in 1979, he became a powerful ambassador of Guyanese music. Through the All-American Band, Ninja International, and later Ninja Band, he carried Guyana’s rhythms onto legendary stages including The Apollo, The Cotton Club, Miami Carnival, and major civic events. A prolific recording artist and award-winning bandleader, his albums and performances have advanced Guyana’s musical identity and conversation across borders, ensuring its roots, rhythm, and harmony continue to resonate worldwide.

Dr. Terry Gajraj

GCA Award (2019), 2026: GCA Lifetime Award (2026). Born in Fryish Village, he has been in the music industry for approximately 40 years. TerryG has taken Guyana to worldly stages. In 1993, his defining moment at the Indo-Caribbean Show in Toronto/Canada unfolded to 8,000 fans, alongside musical idols. In 1994, one of Guyana’s cultural anthems, “Guyana Baboo” exploded in Guyana, and beyond. Terry has released over 30 albums and hundreds of songs. He is Guyana’s most recorded and toured artiste. Since 1994, he has performed live weekly, carrying the Guyanese rhythms and stories to audiences in the Caribbean, North America, Europe, India, Dubai, and afar. Prestigious performances were at Wembley Arena in London, Bollywood Music Awards in NY and Atlantic City, and Caribbean carnivals like Caribana (Canada), Miami Carnival, Rotterdam and Notting Hill. He continually promotes Guyanese heritage on the world stage. Terry, the trailblazer introduced interactive/”call-and-response” segments and signature dance moves like “Screw the Lightbulb” to Guyanese Chutney music, making performances more dynamic and participatory. Admirers of his artistry include fellow stars like Bollywood superstar, Shah and Trinidadian Soca Moarch, Machel Montano. Montano is known to performs “Guyana Baboo” whenever there is a Guyanese crowd.

Dr. Gillian Richards-Greaves

Godfrey Chin Prize for Heritage Journalism (2022). GCA Exemplary Award (2022). Author of Rediasporization: African-Guyanese Kweh-Kweh (University Press of Mississippi, 2020)

Shauna Parker-Harding

Assistant Secretary, Guyana Cultural Association of New York. With nearly a decade of experience in broadcast media in Guyana, Shauna Parker-Harding previously served as a news anchor, reporter, and radio host at the National Communications Network Inc. Additionally, she is actively involved with the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc., contributing to initiatives focused on cultural preservation, youth development, and community engagement. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is a proud wife and mother of two who deeply values faith, family, and lifelong learning. She is passionate about utilizing her skills to positively impact others.

Edgar Henry

Edgar Henry is a Guyanese-born entrepreneur, author, and community leader who migrated to the United States in 1973. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Baruch College in Manhattan and went on to become a Licensed Real Estate Broker.

Having lived in New York for over 50 years, Edgar currently serves as Vice President of the Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) of New York, Inc. He taught music at the Caribbean Heritage Summer Workshop Series for ten consecutive years and served as the Editor-in-Chief of the annual Guyana Folk Festival magazine, where he authored numerous articles.

In 2019, he published The Guyanese Slang Alphabet, which captures the street vernacular, common words, and daily communicative traditions of Guyana—a sustainable, evolving language rooted in cultural heritage. The five-star-rated book, available on Amazon and major retail outlets, achieved great success, followed by his 2020 book, The Naming Game. The latter helps readers understand the purpose, formation, structure, and identity of Guyanese word-names and their universal connections.

Beyond his literary work, Edgar has established a self-publishing model built on small-run, on-demand printing and compact formats. This initiative has provided a platform for Guyanese writers in New York to share stories about late-colonial Guyana, post-independence life, and the diaspora experience.

A multi-talented creative, Edgar owns the ENG Caribbean Vision Center on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. He is also an actor, prose writer, musician, and screenwriter—notably starring in Carlton Springer’s film In the Night. His greatest passions remain reading, analyzing structural formats, and teaching concepts in music and the performing arts.

Kurleigh Lowe

Musical Director, 2026 Guyana Folk Festival Symposium. Derry Etkins Memorial Prize (2025). Kurleigh Lowe believes that music is one of humanity's greatest shared inheritances—a language that transcends age, culture, ability, and experience. He is continually inspired by its remarkable ability to connect people, preserve stories, celebrate identity, and express what words alone often cannot. His work has been devoted to helping people discover their own musical voice by creating environments where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every musical journey is valued. As a musician, conductor, educator, and lifelong learner, Kurleigh is guided by a philosophy that continues to evolve through experience and reflection. He believes people learn music by making music—that creation, improvisation, exploration, and joyful discovery are not rewards reserved for accomplished musicians but essential parts of learning itself. He sees the role of an educator not as deciding who belongs in music, but as removing the obstacles that keep people from experiencing it. Whether leading an ensemble, designing learning experiences, or exploring new creative possibilities, Kurleigh remains fascinated by the conversation between tradition and innovation. His work seeks to honor the cultures, communities, and stories that give music its deepest meaning while embracing new ways for people to create, connect, and share. At the heart of his work is a simple conviction: music is part of what it means to be human, and every person deserves the opportunity to experience it, contribute to it, and find their own place within it.

Clive Prowell

Creative Director, Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.

Rohan Sagar

Ethnomusicologist, GCA Award (2011). Founder of Digital Heritage Guyana. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is a proud wife and mother of two who deeply values faith, family, and lifelong learning. She is passionate about utilizing her skills to positively impact others.

Kishore Seunarine

GCA Award (2006)

Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie

GCA Award (2005), GCA Exemplary Award (2026) A master self-taught musician, Winston Hoppie—popularly known as “Jeggae”—has spent over 48 years as a drummer, keyboardist, harmonicist, poet, and storyteller.

Musical & Cultural Career

Spiritual & Community Performance: On weekends, Jeggae plays for Guyanese and West Indian Spiritual Baptist Churches throughout the Tri-State area, Maryland, Atlanta, and international venues. His music also crosses over into Episcopal churches during their annual Revivals across New York City’s five boroughs and Long Island.
Cultural Festivals & Advocacy: He is a core contributor to the annual African Liberation Ceremonies and the Guyana Folk Festival.
International Representations: In 1981, Jeggae represented Guyana at the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) in Barbados. While living in Guyana, he toured the United States and Canada with the Chronicle Atlantic Symphony Steel Orchestra and Troupe, performing at high-profile venues including the United Nations in New York City.

Discography
Jeggae has released five CDs featuring rich compilations of traditional drumming, poetry, gospel music, and folk heritage:

Spirit Drums
Revival Drums
Gospel Drums
Praise Drums
Folk Kwe Drums (a collection of traditional Guyanese folk and Kwe Kwe / Queh Queh songs)

Education & Public Service
Alongside his active musical career, Jeggae earned an Associate degree from the Borough of Manhattan Community College, a Bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York, and a Master’s degree in urban studies from Queens College.

In November 2019, he retired after 31 years of dedicated service with the New York City Human Resources Administration, where his final appointment was Deputy Director of the Contracts Unit within the HIV/AIDS Administration.

Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie, one of GCA’s 2026 Exemplary Awardees is recognized as a pioneer of the one-man band movement,

Dr. Rose October

Dr. Rose October is the Executive Director of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. (GCA), having served as a board member for over 20 years. Prior to her current appointment, she served as an assistant to the Cultural Director and co-chaired the Kweh-Kweh Committee.

Academic & Professional Background Dr. October holds a Ph.D. in Advanced Behavioral Studies from Capella University and served as an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Services at the State University of New York (SUNY) from 2003 to 2021.

Her professional career spans over 30 years in the field of human services, encompassing both clinical and administrative leadership. Her credentials include:

LMSW: Licensed Master Social Worker
CASAC-M: Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor – Master Level
ICADC: Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Cultural & Performing Arts Leadership A dedicated artist with over 54 years in the arts, Dr. October began her journey as a student at the Guyana National School of Dance, later becoming a company member and soloist with the Guyana National Dance Company. Beyond dance and choreography, her creative work includes producing, directing, stage management, and hosting as a master of ceremonies.

Community Engagement & Service

GCA Leadership: Directs organizational initiatives and champions pre-wedding Kweh Kweh traditions and performing arts education.
Youth Advocacy: Founding member and current board member of We Are GUTSY, an organization dedicated to youth character development in Guyana.
Alumni Service: Served two terms as President of the Christ Church Secondary School Alumni Association of NY, Inc.
Caribbean Arts Collaboration: Choreographed three pieces for BRAATA Productions’ Off-Broadway show, All We A One.
Public Service: Previously served as an Auxiliary Police Officer with the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Dr. Seeta Terry Shah Roath

Dr. Seeta Terry Shah Roath is an acclaimed writer, researcher, and educator. Winner of the 2025 Guyana Prize for Literature in the Drama category, she is also the esteemed presenter of the 2026 Martin Carter Lecture, titled “The Impresario as Archive: Cyril Shaw, the Arcade Printery, and the Cultural Geography of Decolonising Guyana.”

Academic & Creative Appointments

University of Guyana: Lecturer in the Faculty of Education and the Centre for Communication Studies.
National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (Institute of Creative Arts): Instructor in filmmaking, research methodology, and folk theatre arts.
Creative Pursuits: Writing and producing for stage, television, and radio.

Playwriting & Screenwriting Approach Dr. Shah Roath specializes in creative non-fiction and historical works. She writes historical screenplays and stage plays in the emerging “complete script” mode—an approach favored by producers and directors to streamline production while preserving the writer’s authentic voice and historical accuracy. This framework helps prevent creative distortions or outlandish dramatizations, ensuring that historical facts are presented with the natural flair and drama the subject matter demands.

Selected Works & Publications

Kisna (2026): Prize-winning hybrid historical play staged in Guyana (March 2026).
Under the Calabash Tree: A collection of Guyanese heritage short stories.
The Return of Latchmini: A historical novel.
Journalism & Features: Author of dozens of feature articles in The Washington Times and other international news outlets.

Upcoming Projects (2027 In-Press Releases)

Dr. Shah Roath has four research-based volumes slated for release in 2027:

A work of creative non-fiction.
A historical and political scholarly volume.
A Guyanese Cultural Artscape.
A Caribbean sociological heritage study.

Tirese C. Thomas

Guyana-based Steelpan soloist.

Edwin Mansook

Edwin Mansook is a Social Sciences and Human Research Council doctoral fellow researching the African Guyanese masquerade tradition and a Ph.D. candidate in ethnomusicology at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada.

Samuel Williams

Samuel Williams is a visual designer, creative, and storyteller. In his current role as a graphic designer with Fairchild Media Group, he is charged with the creation of digital and print media. In this capacity, he blends his passion for visuals and storytelling to deliver design solutions that engage subscribers. Samuel also volunteers with the Guyana Cultural Association. Similarly, he enacts his design skills to manage the organization’s website, create flyers, newsletters, and other media. When he is not designing, he is exploring other creative avenues, such as creative writing and art. Samuel Williams received a GCA Award in 2019.

JORO Dance Company

founded in Guyana on June 6th, 2021. Th Guyana-based JORO Dance School has rapidly become a well-respected name in the Guyanese dance community. This is a return visit to the Guyana Folk Festival. They were last here in 2025.

KENTON WYATT

BA Soc Sci. OCT. GCA Award (2018). Derry Etkins Memorial Prize (2021)

“Over the past 30 years, I’ve refined my technique and musicianship while taking it upon myself to perfect the canon of musical literature that all of the masters before me have successfully confronted.”— Kenton Wyatt

Kenton Wyatt is a multi-instrumentalist, master drummer, songwriter, producer, and veteran music educator. His repertoire and flute technique are deeply informed by the Guyanese Masquerade flute tradition.

Teaching & Academic Career

Over a multi-decade teaching career, Mr. Wyatt has taught music across Guyana, the Caribbean, and North America. His institutional history includes:

Guyana: David Rose Community High School, President’s College, and the University of Guyana
Turks and Caicos Islands: Clement Howell High School and The British West Indies Collegiate
Canada: Teaching with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB)

Performances & Workshops

A versatile multi-instrumentalist, Mr. Wyatt plays the African hand drum (djembe), flute, saxophone, classical guitar, and steelpan. As a captivating teacher and presenter, he incorporates storytelling, cultural origins, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms into his interactive sessions.

Global Stages: Has performed and led workshops in London, the United States, Guyana, Suriname, and across Canada (including performance tours and Ashanti storytelling on Vancouver Island).
International Spotlights: Led a performance delegation sponsored by the Turks and Caicos Tourism Department to Disney World in Orlando and the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, London (2000). He also conducted music workshops for CARIFESTA XI in Suriname (2013).

Leadership & Ensembles

Mr. Wyatt is the founder and owner of Kendrum Music Academy & Recording Studios Inc. and the Director of the Kendrum Youth Steel Orchestra (KYSO), based in Ontario, Canada. Under his leadership, KYSO has performed at high-profile regional showcases, including performance trips to New York (2010) and the Boston Carnival (2011).

Awards & Recognition

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Award (2018): Recognized for exemplary work in online education.
Jamaica Canadian Association (JCA) Unsung Heroes Award: Honored for outstanding cultural work with Caribbean youth in Canada.
Derry Etkins Award / Memorial Prize (2021): First recipient, awarded for service, commitment, and exemplary work in music education.
Lions Club Humanitarian Award (2025): Recognized for dedicated community work in Ontario.
Artist-in-Residence (2026): Named Artist-in-Residence for the 2026 Guyana Folk Festival Symposium.

Discography includes:

Guyana Folk Songs Reimagined (2026) — Available on YouTube.

Yashokamini Seunarine

Yashokamini “Yash” Seunarine is a dynamic young musician whose Guyanese heritage shapes her artistry and purpose.

Born and raised in New York to Guyanese parents, she began formal tabla training at age nine and became the first female tabla graduate of the East Indian Music Academy.

Her passion for percussion expanded to instruments such as the Dholak, Tassa, Dafli, Udongo, and Dumbek. In 2023, she earned her master’s degree in Shaastriya Sangeet, completing a thesis on the Dholak’s journey from India to the West Indies and its cultural impact.

Yash has shared her talent across the United States, the Caribbean including Guyana, and Canada, performing for cultural festivals, community programs, and international celebrations.

Through music and service, she proudly represents the Guyanese diaspora worldwide

St. Cuthbert’s Mission / Pakuri Culture Group, Region 4, Guyana.

Founded in 1985 as the Pakuri Culture Group before adopting its current name, the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Culture Group is deeply committed to preserving and promoting Indigenous Amerindian cultural traditions in Guyana.

Cultural Performances & Outreach

The ensemble brings heritage to life through dynamic, interactive showcases, including traditional dances, poetry, music, and dramatic skits. Over four decades, the group has toured extensively across Guyana, performing for key government ministries and public bodies, including:

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport
Ministry of Housing
Office of the Prime Minister
Bureau of Statistics
Guyana Tourism Authority
Numerous private organizations and community institutions

Key Milestones & Legacy

Amerindian Heritage Month: The group is a central feature of the annual week-long celebrations hosted by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
International Stage: Represented Guyana and its Amerindian heritage on an international platform at CARIFESTA XV in Barbados (August 2025).

Through its continuous advocacy and performances, the St. Cuthbert’s Mission Culture Group remains one of Guyana’s most celebrated Indigenous cultural groups.

Hugh Sam

Born to parents who were self-taught musicians, he is a renowned composer, pianist and arranger in music for over eight decades. While in Guyana, he provided live piano music for ballet at Helen Taitt’s Dance school, and composed “Stabroek Fantasy” for their production. Other memories include: directing the Guyana Police Choir (Exp ‘67), Montreal, and working with Guyanese Association (Ottawa). His scope spans creating Guyanese, Trinidadian, Barbadian, and St. Lucian folksongs.

Hugh has a bachelor’s degree in music, and studied with Robert Starer at Brooklyn College. He taught piano at Third Street Music School Settlement, where faculty performed his music of 30+ years. Before retiring, students played his arrangements, as a tribute.

Some accolades: 2003 Wordsworth McAndrew/GCA Award; 2004 Commissioned by Guyanese pianist Ray Luck to write/arrange “Trinidad Rhapsody” performed by UWI Steel Orchestra; composition: “A Tale of Two Rivers” – performed in Russia (2005); 2019 Exemplary Award; 2022 “Chanson for the Right Hand” performed by Margaret Mills – other piano greats like Ray Luck and Kendall Taylor premiered his music.

Guyana Folk Festival 2026

2026 Symposium: Musical Exchange: The Guyanese Experience

“Guyana’s music is not one tradition—it’s a conversation across peoples, time, and technology.”— Kurleigh Lowe, Guyanese composer and arranger.

Symposium Overview: An interactive exploration of Guyanese musical identity tracing its development from ancestral roots and plantation experiences, through twentieth-century migration networks, and finally looking ahead to technological futures and policy advocacy.

The story unfolds in three dynamic ACTS—Origins, Routes, and Futures—tracing the threads of musical exchange from ancestral and plantation roots, through the great 20th-century migrations, straight into the modern age of Artificial Intelligence.

Our Hosts are

The Symposium’s Host: Jasper Adams.
Online Host: Shauna Parker-Harding.

ACT I: ORIGINS — ROOTS SOUND

ACT 1.1: Invocation & Libation

In these sequences we acknowledge Cassava and invoke Cassava Muma, Cassava Mother, Kîi Master, or Manioc Spirit. We recognize Cassava he roots of human settlement in Guyana and the Amazon’s contribution to the world

The drum is foundational to Guyana’s cultural identity, serving historically as a powerful tool for communication, resistance, catharsis, and cosmological continuity. We recognize the centrality of the drum across all the root cultures. The libation acknowledges this uniting fact

Time: 12:00 PM – 12: 25 PM

The symposium starts with a procession that joins the elders from St. Cuthbert/Pukari Village who are already in the yard and on stage.

Invocation: “Cassava,” St. Cuthbert’s Mission / Pakuri Culture Group.

Libation:

The Libation is led by Master Drummer Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie, who officiates an African-descended ritual of welcome honoring both the ancestors and descendants present. He is joined in this ceremonial moment by participating groups from Guyana, presenters from New York, and senior officials from the Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) and the Lefferts Historic House Museum. The Libation also provides a dedicated space for officials to extend their formal greetings and welcome.

Time: 12:25 -12: 30 PM

Musical Interlude …

“Like the drum, the plantation has occupied a central place in the historical experience of all of Guyana’s founding cultures.”

ACT 1.2:

The Plantation Experience: Jumbie Pass

Time: 12:30 PM –12:50 PM

“During the era of enslavement (1626–1838), colonial authorities banned drums on riverine and coastal plantations to suppress communication and prevent revolts. In response, enslaved Africans turned to body percussion, transforming their own movements into rhythmic instruments to preserve their cultural heritage and vital rites of passage, such as Kweh-Kweh.”

ACT 1.3: The Plantation Experience: Dis Time Na Lang Time

Time: 12:55 PM – 1:15PM

The plantation holds a defining place in the historical and cultural experience of Indo-Guyanese people. In Dis Time Na Lang Time, Kishore Seunarine and his group explore how music, song, and rhythm served as vital tools for survival, community identity, and cultural continuity throughout the indenture era and beyond.

ACT 1.4: Review and Summary of ACT I

Time: 1:20 PM – 1:30PM

Select from: Dr. Gillian Richards-Greaves, Edwin Mansook, Rohan Sagar, Dr. Peter Manuel, and audience member (s)

END OF ACT I

Possible Musical interlude

ACT II: ROUTES — MIGRATION, CITY, EXCHANGE

Act 2.1: Circuits of Cultural Confidence

The people and spaces that built the foundations of modern Guyanese music.

Time: 1:35 PM – 2:05 PM

“Before and After Fantasia on Three Guianese Folk Songs.” A conversation with Hugh Sam (GCA 2026 Lifetime Achievement Awardee) and Kurleigh Lowe (Musical Director, GCA 2026 Symposium) exploring the composition, legacy, and influence of Hugh Sam’s landmark work.
“Facilitating Cross-Cultural Exchanges in the Guyanese and Caribbean Musical Landscape.” A conversation with Dr. Seeta Shah Roath exploring the life and legacy of her father, Cyril Shaw, and his pivotal role in 20th-century Guyanese musical life, impresarioship, and regional cultural exchange.

PARALLEL BREAK-OUT SESSION: Creating with Integrity: AI & Music Workshop

Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (2-Hour Session)

Using AI-generated creations for Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary as a practical baseline, this session reviews how artificial intelligence is transforming music production. Participants will gain hands-on experience in prompt engineering while examining critical topics including creative ethics, distribution strategies, and the protection of intellectual property rights.

Facilitators: Kurleigh Lowe, Heather Coates, & Kenton Wyatt.

Act 2.2: Performance — The Impresario Bill Rogers in New York

Time: 2:10 PM – 2:30 PM

Features JORO Dance Company. Dance drama: The Weed Song

Act 2.3: Review and Synthesis of Act II

Time: 2:35 PM – 2:55 PM

Select from: Dr. Gillian Richards-Greaves, Edwin Mansook, Rohan Sagar, and audience member(s)

END OF ACT II

Musical interlude …

ACT III: FUTURES — INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY, NOW

Act 3.1: Music at the Borderlands — Performances and Personal Reflections

Time: 3:00 PM – 3:20 PM

“Matapee” St. St. Cuthbert’s Mission / Pakuri Culture Group,
“Wedding Celebration” Berbice Delights Dance Company.

Q&A/Discussion: Toshoa, St. Cuthbert’s, Region 4; Dr. Jimmi Hendricks, Lethem, Guyana; Rohan Sagar, Georgetown, Guyana.

Act 3.2: Panel #5 — Our Songs—Public Diplomacy & Global Engagement

Featured Showcase: Performances of original and iconic compositions. F

Time: 3:25 PM – 3:55 PM

“Beautiful Guyana,” RKHTY Aaron, New York, USA.
“Cabacaburi Children,” St. Cuthbert Mission /Pukari Culture Group, Region 4, Guyana.
“Come together,” Miriam Corlette, 2026 Derry Etkins Awardee. From Georgetown, Guyana

4:00 PM AI Workshop transitions to outside …

Act 3.3: Game Show — BIG CHUNE

Time: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

An interactive, online game show in the style of “Name That Tune.” The game show highlights the rich Guyanese songbook, featuring music created and performed by Guyanese-born and diaspora-descended musicians.

Host: Jasper Adams

POTENTIAL SPECIAL ITEM

Time 4:35PM – 4:55PM

Video presentation by Dr. Terry Gajraj, GCA 2026 Lifetime Awardee.

5:00 PM: AI and Music Making Workshop Concludes

Act 3.4: Going Forward — A Gathering of Advocates

Time: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Plenary Session: Advocacy, Innovation, and Preservation in Guyanese Music

Addressing both technological innovation and heritage preservation, this session formulates concrete action strategies for Guyana’s musical infrastructure. Key components include expanding formal music instruction through the National School of Music, and safeguarding invaluable recorded archives at the National Communication Network (NCN).

Agenda & Speakers:

AI Workshop Summary: Insights and practical applications from the hands-on AI session.
Strategic Presentation: “Guyana Can’t Wait: A Strategic Advocacy Plan to Foster a Guyanese Musical Renaissance Through Investment” by RKTHY Aaron.
Artist Response: Perspectives and reflections by Artist-in-Residence Kenton Wyatt.

Report from the AI Workshop;
RKTHY Aaron, “Guyana Can’t Wait: A Strategic Advocacy Plan to Foster a Guyanese Musical Renaissance Through Investment”
Reflections by Kenton Wyatt, Artist-in-Residence

Act 3.5: Finale

Time: 5: 35 PM – 6:00 PM

Closing Ceremony: “THANK YOU” & Collaborative Jam Session

The symposium concludes with formal acknowledgments followed by a jam session based on the creativity from the AI Workshop

SYMPOSIUM CLOSURE: 6:00 PM