Sani-Abu - Founder, Executive/Artistic Director           

Born into a family of traditional dancers, Sani-Abu began performing and touring at the age of 15 with Benin City's Uyi-Edo Dance Theater Troupe. He spent the past seven years in New Jersey and New York performing, teaching and collaborating with top leading dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Company, The Seventh Principle, Michael Mao Dance Company, The Brighton Ballet Theater in collaboration with the Moscow Ballet, Zawadi African Dance Company and Sankofa Dance Theater to name a few. In addition, he has also worked with John Hopkins University in Baltimore, and was a resident artist and educator at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Sani has toured extensively in both Europe and Africa, and has been trained by some of the top dancers and instructors such as Aghabiomon Nogie Ogbeiwi (Uyi-Edo Cultural Troupe), Youssouf Koumbassa (Les Ballet Bagata), Muyiwa Oshinaike a.k.a Babanee (Black Marbles), Felix Okolo (Dance Heritage), Chuck Mike, Candace Hundley-Kamate (Seventh Principle) and Karen Miles (Zawadi Dance). In addition, he has appeared in various television programs, films, music videos, and has been featured on CNN, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lagos State Television (LTV), and 98.7 Kiss FM (New York). In April 2005, Sani moved to Toronto to start  ijo vudu! a traditional African dance company and Sani-Abu School for African and Contemporary Dance and in no time found a well-spring of artists bursting with enthusiasm to study and perform with him. With inspired guidance, Sani is swiftly schooling his performers in the traditional drum rhythms, social dances and cultural history of his native Country Nigeria. Since his arrival, he has been actively teaching and performing, and has quickly become a highly sought after artist in the city. In October 22, 2008, he was called with other professional dance choreographers to choreograph a 1 minute 20 seconds dance piece for the hit TV show, So You Think You Can Dance Canada!. In 2008, Sani was also appointed by the Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Ph.D, OON  to engage a cultural exchange between Nigeria and Canada.In 2009, he was called to take the part of a SHERMAN in CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S production ZED in Tokyo Japan. In March 2010, he choreograph and perform the opening act for the Bedford Park Lion King.

Collette "Coco" Murray-Principal Dancer.(Canada)

Collette is a Graduate Program Assistant at York University at the downtown Osgoode Professional Development office, coordinating six part-time LLM (Masters of Laws) degree programs for legal professionals residing across Canada and abroad. Although she played musical instruments in her childhood, she discovered dance as her expressive outlet at the age of 15, exclusively in hip-hop and dance hall. Susubiribi Dancers, a group formed from high school, became a duo ensemble that she performed West African and choreographed Caribbean dances over a decade at various Ontario events/festivals and even in 2006 for government officials in Bermuda. For the past seven years, as a part-time Children’s Dance Instructor with the City of Toronto-Parks and Recreation, she has been dedicated to giving back the gift of dance to the community, along with working in her family’s literacy program. Her quest to evolve as a professional dancer led her to COBA (Collective of Black Artists) in 2003, where she completed a combination of open classes and 2 years of professional apprenticeship training in traditional West African, indigenous Caribbean Folk, Ballet, Dance hall, Afri-Jazz and Contemporary/Modern. Coco has been known for dancing and playing percussion with De Farmers Rhythm Section, playing steel pan/percussion with Phoenix Fire birds in 2005 and been featured in music videos (Farm P’s “Tan Tan” of Royalty Productions). She continues to feed her curious soul as a member of Ijo Vudu, embracing the culture, with the goal of expanding her movement vocabulary.

Jennifer Kelly- Principal Dancer (Canada)

Jennifer Kelly is thrilled to be a part of ijo Vudu.  her passion for West African dance was sparked by the well-traveled teachers at Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Dance works.  It was there that she met Ms. Michèle Moss, co-founder of DJD, which lead her to join Michèle’s U of C Dance and Drumming travel study to Conakry, Guinea.  Michelle had the wisdom to warn Jennifer that once she went to Africa she would be hooked and she was right!  She hopes to return one day to see her friends again!  Jennifer has a strong background in comedy, acting, writing, and solo performance.  Her studies in dance have also taken her to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and California.  She is co-founder of the all female sketch comedy troupe Tiny Tuna – visit www.tinytuna.ca. Jennifer would like to thank her partner Ray as well as: D & BM; D & N; and S, A, H & M, for their love and support – I miss you guys!  Shout outs to Sani and all the wonderful people of ijo vudu!

Samantha Mount - Principal Dancer (Canada)

Samantha Mount was born and raised in the twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago. She recently completed her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in dance performance at Ryerson University. Samantha is active as a performer and choreographer in her native Trinidad as well as in Canada. She has been performing with Drum Cafe since the summer of 2006. She has always been actively involved in Afro Caribbean dance since her days in Trinidad and has extended her training and performance in this area during her time with Ballet Creole. Samantha is very happy to be part of the Ijo Vudu family, as she allows herself to expand her knowledge and dance vocabulary through Sani and his vast knowledge of West African dance.

Elisha MacMillan - Principal Dancer (Canada)

Elisha has studied dance since the age of three, when she first began to take ballet classes.Dance has been a passion for several years since then, and has explored the movements of jazz, tap, contemporary and African dance. She began performing African dance with the Congolese ballet theater group "Convergence Mitshitshi" in Montreal in 2003. She continued studies of west Africa dance in Guadalajara, Mexico for a year in 2005/06 and is a recent member to Ijo Vudu African dance Co. A student in Anthropology and Sociology ahe hopes to intertwine her studies with dance and sustainability to create positive change.

Neketia Perez- Principal Dancer (Canada)

Dancer, choreographer and teacher Neketia perez is a native of Trinidad and Tobago.
She began her career in North America at Decidedly Jazz Dance works in Calgary Alberta. Neketia has several film, video and television credits as a performer and choreographer. Her most recent choreography can be seen in a film about Harriet Tubman called "When Moses Woke". She is also a highly praised and sought freelance dancer in Toronto. Neketia was interested to be part  ijo vudu after seeing  some of the company performances.

Michelle Dennis – Guest Dancer (Canada)

Melissa Noventa began dancing at the age of four with the Anna Marie Oliver’s School of Dance where she trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop and Latin. She has been a principal dancer for a number of musicals such as Brigadoon (Royal City Musical Productions) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Guelph Little Theater). In addition, she also has numerous video credits that include J’ouvert Paradise (Ghetto Flex Video for Think Productions), Introducing…Ta Da (Ta Da Video - Blink Media Productions), and Takes Play the Game (Sonia Collymore Video). Melissa has performed live with General Too Smooth, while taking master hip hop classes with Luther Brown and members of Do Dat Crew. She has choreographed numerous productions at York University, where she is completing her degree in dance. In the meantime, she has added East Indian, African and Cuban dance to her repertoire. After completing her degree, she hopes to continue indulging in the marriage of music and dance by drawing upon her gifts as an artist and the insights of her peers and mentors.

Okechukwu Pius Ekpelibe- Drummer (Canada)

Born in Enugu State in Nigeria. Originally from a small village called Mgbagbu Owa in the eastern part of Nigeria where percussion, songs, chants and music in general is a way of life. At a very younger age, he would play the "Ekwe" a two tone Igbo log drum. He became even more immersed in traditional African rhythm at an early age due to his mother's active involvement in traditional Igbo dance troups. Pius went on to study Computer Engineering in Turkey where he also studied and competitively performed the highly intricate and energetic Turkish folklore dance called Kafkas originating from Kafkasya in Northern Turkey. He moved to New Zealand where he joined a West African percussion group called ZohZoh ensemble performing Kpanlogo, Agbadza, Gahu, highly spiritual "Otu", Kinka, Achi Agbeko etc. He toured and played in numerous festivals one of which is still New Zealand's coolest afro-Caribbean-latin music festival, Rotorua's Jambalaya. Pius is now resident in Canada  where he is a percussionists for the super-ultimate West African traditional dance ensemble, ijo vudu!!!!!

Chris  began his percussion studies at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario, where he held the position of Principal Percussion in the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra for two years. While in Sudbury, Chris began accompanying modern dance for "Earth dancers", which led him to compose music for percussion in collaboration with dancers from Toronto Dance Theater.

Chris moved to Vancouver in order to complete his Bachelor of  Music in Performance Percussion at the University of British Columbia where he studied under Salvador Ferreras. In Vancouver, Chris played with Okanagan Symphony, the Burnaby Symphony and the Vancouver Island Symphony.

In Vancouver, Chris has become an integral part of  Vancouver’s African drum community where he has performed with Fana Soro’s "Masabo Culture Company"  and plays the djembe solo in Fana’s African dance classes. Chris was invited to play djembe at the World Rhythm Festival in Seattle with Pepe Danza and the Rhythm Fools. Chris also plays percussion for Pepe Danza’s, Latin Jazz Band, El Sur.

Thom Wolf - Drummer (Canada)

Thom Wolf grew up in Georgetown, ON, and anyone who knew him realized that he had special musical talent at a young age. He began learning on how to play drums at age 9, and in his early teens began playing in bands with musicians older than himself, joining his first band at age 14, called Ventura, with school friends. He began teaching drums the same year at a local music store, and eventually attained standing as an instructor at the Ontario College of Percussion and Music. After His study, He moved back to the Georgetown area where played occasionally with a band called Double Exposure. Shortly thereafter, Thom and two other musicians would form the core of what is now Coming of Age. He maintain a modest roster of private students in drum set and hand drumming, ranging in experience from novice to professional, Thom has been performing with the Drum Cafe team in Toronto since August of 2004. It was under these circumstances that he met new team member Sani-Abu Mohammed. Thom was amazed when he experienced the energy of Sani's dancing and was thrilled to be asked to perform with Sani's Ijo Vudu Dance co.

Derek Thorne - Drummer (Canada)

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Derek has been a percussionist and drummer for 14 years. While studying English literature at McGill University, he learned Afro-Cuban percussion from masters Glen Clarke and Vovo, founder of the Montreal Jazz Festival. In 1992 he became a founding member of Montreal’s Keteke group. Since then, he has performed and recorded with company Ballet Creole and Trinidadian band Moka.  Derek currently resides in Toronto with his wife and daughter.

Maria Elena Pino - Drummer (Canada)

A native from Chile and a graphic designer, Maria has been playing drums for over 10 years. Trained by Michael McLarty, M'Bemba Bangoura, Mohammed Diaby and Famoudou Konate just to name a few. Maria has performed with local and international performance groups playing west African, Afro Caribbean/Cuban music with groups such as Group Soume, Roots Drummers, Ngoma, Vforce and many different local community groups. She was recently called to join and play for Ijo Vudu African Dance Co.

Dina Ajlenberg - Mentor/Manager (Canada)

She brings managerial experiences as well as life and professional experience stemming from 30 years practicing physiotherapy and stress management Counselor in Israel, England, France and Canada. Dina has a great passion for the African culture and music. An Avid volunteer with Music Africa for the past 4 years. Her exposure to Africa began early in her life when her father was sent to orchestrate Independence ceremonies for Chad and Niger. In England she was a manager and a lead singer to an Israeli folk group " Hagalgalim" (the wheels) who toured with the Dubliners. To keep a balance between activity and serenity, Dina is an accredited T'ai Chi Chih instructor, as well as an Osteoporosis Fitness Instructor to African beat. Her mission is: To promote Ijo Vudu, and make it known throughout Canada. to assist the originator and master mind of Ijo Vudu, Sani-Abu Mohammed Allen to bring the dance troupe to the top level where it belongs.

Uyiosa  Omorodion - Dancer (Nigeria)

Born in  Togo, started dancing when he was 10. He has perform with various group including Ivory Ambassadors where he is a principal dancer. Uyi  came into ijo vudu when he got a call back from his audition with the company. He is also training to be a professional dancer and feel very good and proud for being one of  the ijo vudu family members.

Patrick Akpobasa - Dancer, Singer (Nigeria)

Born in to the family of dancers where his passion grew  from. He learn traditional dances and never gave up in the culture. A student of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) where he studies Mass Communication. Pat was very happy when he was call to be a  member of the company of the future ijo vudu where he is training and gaining his knowledge in contemporary dances.

Olaleka Ojo - Dancer (Nigeria)

A student in Banking and Finance of the University of Benin, Nigeria. He was introduced into dancing in the year 2006 and since then he has love and live in it. Ojo join the ijo vudu apprentice program where he is fully active and building up his technique in both traditional and contemporary movement.


Julius Omoruyi - Dancer (Nigeria)

Julius was born tweenty four years ago in Iguobazuwa Edo State Nigeria. He started dancing at the tender age of 5 and since then he had been fully active in the Nigeria dance scene. He audition for ijo vudu Dance International where he was called to take part in the 1st Voyage Afrique dance tour to Nigeria for Canada. Julius is currently a member of  this great dance ensemble where he is happy to be.


Ekenem Steve Ozegbe - Dancer (Nigeria)

Steve was born tweenty four years ago in Kwale Delta state Nigeria. He graduated from the university of Benin with a degree in dance and music in 2008. He started dancing at a young age and became  professional when he was 15. He is also very active in the Nigerian dance scene. He had attended numerous dance and art festival, workshops and worked with various talented directors and choreographers both national and international. He join ijo vudu in 2007  where he promote the rich African and Nigeria Culture.

Ikponwosa Omoregbe - Music (Nigeria)

Hailed from Edo State in Nigeria. He started professional Music in 2003. I K obtain his diploma in Commputer Science. He has also worked with talented choreographers where he learned most traditional music. He is also a freelance musician with various dance company. He join ijo vudu in  Oct, 2006

Tolulope Adebamowo - Dancer (Nigeria)

With a name of what it is, she means to spread it as far as she can. Tolu Started being an artist from an early age. She is originaly from Oyo State Nigeria. She has performed with various traditional dance companys in the Village before heading to the city. She has worked with great dance teacher and was glad when she was called in 2007 to join ijo vudu dance International where she took part in the 1st Voyage Afrique.

Ameze Anita Osagie - Costume Manager (Nigeria)

A native of bini was born in the city of benin Edo State. A diploma holder in costume management and Mass Communication at the University of Benin, Nigeria. While she was in school, she had an opportunity to take parts in various performances. She latter join ijo vudu in the year 2007 where she is now the costume maneger for the company.

Bola Bisi Folarin - Make-up. (Nigeria)

Multitalented and an exceptional make-up artist. Bola have work with numerous Nollywood Stars providing make-up in dance and movie scene for the past 5 years. He was so happy when the artistic director of ijo vudu ask him to be the make-up manager for his company in 2007. He had travel both far and wide in Africa to make and transform movie scene using make-up to mesure up with the American Hollywood.