Kristen, is a drummer, drum instructor, and performing artist living in Washington, DC and specializing in the West African Mandingue drumming tradition. She is the Founding Director of the Young Women's Drumming Empowerment Project - a drumming, poetry and performance art empowerment group designed to build the confidence and self esteem of teenaged girls living in the DC area. Kristen leads drumming workshops at a variety of DC middle and high schools, and also for women, girls, and mixed groups of youth, adults and elders throughout the DC metro area. Kristen holds bachelor’s degrees in music and women studies, has taken classes with a variety of West African drumming instructors including Mamady Keita and Mahiri Edwards of the Tam Tam Mandingue West African Drumming School, and has studied the djembe with Tammi Hessen and Baile McKnight. Recently, after receiving an Artist’s Fellowship from the DC Arts Commission, Kristen completed a 2-week advanced drumming intensive with Mamady Keita in San Diego. Currently you can find Kristen performing with DC young women in the Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project, and with the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, an intergenerational, diverse group of more than 20 women from DC, Baltimore and surrounding areas who all share a passion for drumming, and are committed to spreading its joy and power to the community. In addition, Kristen performs percussion and backing vocals with Omega Band, an eclectic soul, ska and rock band performing at venues all over DC and the surrounding area. Back