Audiences participate as Kijana's "Griot Chorus"
and learn much more than music. High points of the show occur
also when Kijana does a blues version of "Summertime"
or struts her stuff while performing vaudeville's "I Can't
Do Without My Kitchen Man." She even throws money around
the stage then gives it away near the end while singing "God
Bless the Child."
"Each audience is different..." says Kijana, "...and
I like playing with people--from children to adults, so the Griot
is full of audience participation. I adjust the level of the
performance to match the age or needs of the participants. My
job's simple...to musically and comically stir the cultural multi-mix
of my "class," and allow them to first embrace their
common roots, then taste its muticultural flavor with me... not
just watch and applaud. My brand of diversity is inclusive."
Kijana lived in West Africa for 6 years where she was a former
Peace Corps volunteer. While there, she hosted "Under the
Palm Tree," an entertainment TV show, was assistant director
of the National Liberian Cultural Troupe; drama coach of the
American School and sang background vocals for Hugh Masakela
and Mariam Makeba. She has performed with the Conrad Johnson
Big Band, The Drifters, the Houston Symphony Chorus, Houston
Masterworks Chorus and SssteamMoga in West Africa.
In 1997, Kijana won 1st place in the City of Houston Talent
Competition. In 1998, "The Griot" program was awarded
inclusion by Texas Commission on the Arts as one of its 148 touring
artist programs, making it elegible for performance arts grants
to non-profit organizations.
In 2001, Kijana's "Griot" was named "Best
College Diversity Program" at the Association for Campus
Activities national conference. She has also been nominated as
"Best College Campus Speaker" for two years in a row.
In 2002, The Griot was not only named as "Best College
Diversity Program," again, but Kijana was also named
as APCA's "2002 Performing Artist of the Year."
Kijana credits her smooth high notes to her vocal coach, international
operatic tenor soloist David Brewer. The daughter of award-winning
educator, Mary Helen Wiseman, M.Ed. and the late gospel quartet
bass soloist, El'Ray Wiseman, Sr., Kijana is happily married
to Aundra Fusilier. For more information, contact Katrina Barnum
or Jerome Beale at 713-521-0900, or visit kijana's website at
http://www.kijana.com.
For information on our other artists, see http://www.moshows.com
or send an email to info@moshows.com
For bookings or "MO Sho' Info
....713-521-0900........or, toll free...............1-800-546-0540
