Performers

A.Z.T.K.
As members of the Evening Star Missionary Baptist Church and under the pastorage of Joe Martin, Alexis, Zechaira, Taliah, and Kierra have been ministering in dance together since 2004. Zechaira began dancing for New Generation at age 12 and then brought the ministry to Evening Star with the help of her two sisters, Alexis and Taliah, and their cousin Kierra. They aim to praise the lord through their dance.

David Carr
Saxophonist, David Carr, Jr., has pursued his passion as an artist since the age of 12. His inspiration came inherently from his father, also a saxophonist. Through his influence, along with his undying patience and hard work, David's desire to pursue his goals with perseverance and dedication was born. All these attributes have played an integral part in his success today.

Moussa Diabate Djeli
Moussa Diabate has been one of the finest dancers with the National Ballets of Guinea (Africa) and was artistic director for National Ballet Silimbo of Senegal for many years. He is a master dancer, drummer and musician and has toured Africa, Europe, Asia and the U.S.A. He also performed on Broadway (New York City), at Yale Repertory Theater and at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Moussa has trained and toured with the National Ballet Djoliba and the National Theatre of Dakar’s Ballet Silimbo. A former lead dancer for the Troupe Federale de Conakry III National Ballet of Guinea, Moussa has been a dancer all his life.

Minister Dawel Garner, Master of Ceremonies.
Minister Garner Called to minister in 2001, Minister Dawel E. Garner has attended Moody Biblical Institute, Emmaus Bible College and Wright Way Biblical Ministries. He received his license to preach in July of 2001 and was ordained in 2005. He currently is an Associate Minister at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church where he serves as the President of the Men of Praise Brotherhood and is also a key musician there; all under the pastoral care of Pastor Johnny Sanders. Minister Garner has a very unique style of demonstration ministry. He is happily married with 6 children; four girls, two boys, and a grand daughter.

Joseph Gomez
Musical presentation provides a comical twist to the reality of a Mexican American musician and the challenge of musical diversity in America.

Audrey McClure
Audrey McClure has always had a passion for her cultural heritage. In exploring her own heritage, she found her artistic expression through storytelling, to convey the richness of her African-American roots. Ms. McClure has for the last dozen years extended her talent for acting and storytelling to children and adults in the DFW area, working with such organizations as the Dallas Children's Theater, Soul Rep Theater Company, the Bath House Cultural Center, SGI-USA, The McKinney Avenue Contemporary Theater (The MAC), Dallas County Juvenile Department, and the Dallas Children’s Museum. Her acting credits include roles in SLIM, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Freedmans, Difficulty of Crossing a Field, Victory Over Violence, Trojan Women, The Pain Game, and Mufara's Beautiful Daughters. she appeared in Chuck Norris' "Walker, Texas Ranger" in 1998.Audrey has enthralled audiences of all ages with her storytelling, in schools, libraries, museums and community centers. She has been a featured artist at Young Audiences for almost a decade. She has worked at SMU with Dr. Njoki McElroy on a variety of projects, such as co-directing the festival "Back Home with the Folks", presented at the African American Museum at Fair Park. Storytelling has allowed Audrey McClure the means to keep her heritage alive and contribute positive messages to society, particularly to the youth. She finds it very satisfying to pass on her stories, "as a gift from the past to the future.”

New Arts Six
Six African-American women who saw a need to revitalize the musical legacy of their culture founded new Arts Six in 1981. The identification of this need led them to explore and develop a repertoire of the ethnic folk music of African-Americans--the Negro Spiritual. The ensemble has produced original works utilizing spirituals to musically record a page of history and folk tradition. Individually and collectively, the ensemble members come with extensive musical training in classical music, opera, musical theatre, and education. The incredible voices and vibrant personalities of these performers have thrilled audiences all over America. They relate the strength, dignity and courage of the African American women throughout history

Aroid Neal
“The Art of a People”, Students gain a sense of self, and become part of a rich ancestral tradition through the art of pottery. Plates, vases, and bottles are used to create beautiful artworks adorned with cultural symbols, patterns and images that depict African and Mexican heritage.

Barri Pearson
Well known for his role in keeping the Dallas "Jazz Roots" alive, Barri Pearson is a seasoned and skilled bassist who can be seen performing in the finest venues throughout the city of Dallas. He has appeared in concerts with great jazz artists, such as George Benson, Joe Sample, Earl Klugh, Jerald Albright, David Sanborn and has recorded with Joseph Vincilli on the "Friendly Advice" CD and Freddie Jones Jazz Group's CD, "My Fathers House”. As sole proprietor of THE MUSIC CENTER, also the Executive Director of the Koinonia Community Outreach, Barri Pearson continues to influence the next generation of musicians by offering private music lessons to children and adults.

Percussion Things
Len Barnett, Director of Percussion Things hails from Memphis Tennessee, where he was immersed since early childhood in the American musical traditions of Jazz, Blues, and R&B. Mr. Barnett has shared the stage with many well-known performers, including Cab Calloway, Kirk Whalum, gospel artist Kirk Franklin, Joe McBride, Joe Vincelli, and a host of others. He is also an accomplished pianist. Percussion Things is a collaborative effort under the direction of Len Barnett, drawing on the rich pool of professional percussionists in and around the Dallas area Group size varies from 2 to 12 (most often 3 to 5) and utilizes various seasoned and capable percussionists on a loosely rotating basis.

Shree Foundation
A theatrical adaptation of traditional Indian folk tales. These tales use animals to illustrat moral concepts and common-sense ideas.

Bryan Thompson
Music has always been a large part of Bryan Thompson’s life. At the age of 9 Bryan was inspired the tunes of John Coltrane to pick up a saxophone and begin his musical career. Learning these fundamentals of the saxophone did not compare to the ideas that Bryan had about music. Bored with his elementary school band, Bryan put the saxophone behind him. It was not until his freshman year of high school that Bryan regained his interest in the saxophone. Under the direction of Mr. Dean Hill and Ms. Carlisa Washington, Bryan is now able to explore music at a whole new level. Studying and performing jazz, gospel, and contemporary music Bryan continues to travel to new heights in his musical endeavors.