The World Percussion Ensemble is a chamber group dedicated to the performance of significant percussive styles from around the globe. Percussion traditions from various cultures, including Cuba, Brazil, India, West Africa and the Middle East are explored through performance and cultural research. In addition, the World Percussion Ensemble occasionally collaborates with faculty and students from the UW dance program.

The group, directed by Professor Anthony Di Sanza and graduate students in the percussion program, has had two semester-long guest directors. Vizcaino Guillot from Havhana, Cuba in 2001, and John Santos from San Francisco California in 2002.

Selected styles recently studied and performed by the World Percussion Ensemble include:

Samba Batucada (Brazil)
Samba Reggae (Brazil)
Maracatu (Brazil)
Pagode (Brazil)
Flamenco (Spain)
Various Iqámat in Secular Styles (Middle East)
Rumba - Guaguanco, Yambu, Columbia (Cuba)
Bata (Cuba)
Guiro (Cuba)
Bembe (Cuba)
Iyesa (Cuba)
Batarumba (Cuba)
Conga/Comparsa (Cuba)
Dundunba (Guinea)
Arara (Afro-Hatian)

Rehearsal Times:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-1:00