FIND MORE ABOUT OUR PERFORMERS
SAL ELSAYED
Sal is an instructor and performer of Egyptian dance and folklore. He lived in Egypt and worked as a folklore performer, submerging himself in the local culture and practices of Tanoura dance, music, and spirit. His time spent welcomed amongst the Egyptian artists community has given him an understanding behind the importance of culture, connection, and tradition that translate into his teaching and performance style.
MELISSA GAMAL
Melissa Gamal is an award-winning dancer based in Toronto, Canada. Her dedication to Egyptian dance and music have made her an internationally admired and sought after artist for performances and workshops.
Melissa has been invited to teach and perform across Canada, the USA, Europe, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
Melissa is well known for her Egyptian Golden Era dance styling, and her accomplished Sagat playing (finger cymbals), for which she was invited to perform at the Cairo Opera House in 2021 alongside her mentor, master percussionist Hany Morgan.
She is the Director of the Ya Amar Dance company and school, bringing elegant entertainment as well as comprehensive training to the dance scene in Canada.
Kay
I’m Kay Georgy, a classical percussionist from Cairo, now living and studying in Winnipeg. I’m currently in my second year of the Classical Music program at the University of Manitoba, where I spend most of my time surrounded by rhythms, rehearsals, and the occasional timpani cart.
I’ve been playing music since I was a kid, and over the years, percussion has become the language I connect with most deeply. Lately, I’ve been exploring my Egyptian roots through the darbuka, weaving its traditional rhythms into my classical training and seeing where those two worlds meet.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to perform with the 2025 Jack Long Honour Band, which pushed me to grow as a performer and collaborator. Whether I’m playing in an ensemble or experimenting with solo work, I’m always looking for ways to blend tradition, innovation, and personal expression through rhythm.
Jay Stoller
Jay is an African drumming specialist, studying in this field for over 30 years. He holds a B.P.E., B.ED. as well as a Diploma in African Music from the University of Ghana. Living and studying drumming in Ghana for over four years has given him an insightful understanding of African music and culture that he has been sharing this with school students, adults and the corporate world in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario over the past 23 years.
Jay has performed throughout Canada as well as in Mexico, Israel, the United States and Mozambique. He currently leads his own West African drum and dance ensemble, Drum Cafe, and is also the musical director and lead drummer for Nafro Dance.
Jay teaches adult group djembe drumming classes throughout the year, operates the teambuilding company Drum Café in Winnipeg, has an African musical instrument importing business and works part time as a travel agent.
Since 2011, he has been leading a successful cultural tour every January to his “second home”, Ghana.
DAVID SWATEK
David is a Winnipeg based multi-instrumentalist who performs with a variety of groups ranging in style from African and Middle-Eastern to folk, classical and jazz. He is currently active with the Bird River Band (double bass), Winnipeg Mandolin Orchestra (mandolin), Desert Caravan (oud), and The Tricia Magsino-Barnabé Quintet (double bass). He has performed in Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s 2025 production of “The Band’s Visit” (oud), the 2024 Winnipeg International Jazz Festival (TMZ and the Boyz – double bass), NafroDance productions “Wakati” (2023), “Semba” (2023), “Wika” (2024) and “Serengeti” (2024), Dramatic Theatre Company’s 2023 Winnipeg Fringe production of “Little Shop of Horrors” (electric bass), and numerous belly dance performances with Desert Caravan and Shanti Dance Troupe throughout the 2000’s (oud). His oud appears on recordings by Len Udow (Spring Rain, 2018) and Jackson Gabriel (The Prime Ordeal, 2006).
