TY DEFOE (Giizhig) is a Grammy Award winner from the Oneida and Ojibwe Nations and resides in NYC. He is a writer and shape-shifting interdisciplinary artist who has gained recognition in many circles around the world and in his community. He brings the teachings of his mentors with him as a practitioner of hoop dancing, eagle dancing, and a carrier of traditional songs. Other works: Clouds Are Pillows for the Moon (2017 Jonathan Larson Award, 2015 Kilroy’s Honorable Mention), Tick-Tick (Prospect Theatre’s Musical Theatre Lab), In the Cards (Boston Contempo-International Festival), Crossing Borders (CAP 21 Residency), Red Pine (Autry Native Voices Theater Festival, Institute of American Indian Arts). In development: Hart Island Requiem, Sunrise Prayer, and Gender Nation. www.tydefoe.com
HEATHER HENSON is a contemporary puppet artist whose work promotes harmony and healing for the planet through artistic spectacle and discussion. Backed by a degree from Rhode Island School of Design and studies at CalArts, Heather created the multi-platform production company, IBEX Puppetry, to honor the creativity in herself and others. Heather’s storytelling has been heavily impacted by her sense of kinship with endangered Whooping Cranes. Inspired by the healing partnerships formed between cranes and teams of humans at The International Crane Foundation, she has brought animals and elemental forces of our planet out to frolic and fly among audiences with Panther and Crane (UNIMA Citation of Excellence), Endangered Species Parade, Celebration of Flight, FLIGHT: A Crane’s Story, Crane: On Earth, In Sky, and Harmonious Migrations.
DAWN AVERY - Grammy and NAMA nominated, Avery has worked with musical luminaries from Pavarotti to Sting, Cage to Nakai; composing for Indigenous films (Smithsonian’s NMAI, Rich/Heape); touring with her own multimedia projects including 50 Shades of Red and mentoring future generations in the Native Composer’s Project. Avery holds a PhD in ethnomusicology (Indigenous theory, Native Classical music). Of Mohawk descent, her longhouse name is Ieriho:kwats and she wears the turtle clan. Some of the music from this performance may be heard on the Global Award-Winning CD, Crane on Earth, in Sky: A Journey, available for sale.
KEVIN TARRANT is a member of the HoChunk Nation of Wisconsin and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. He was brought up in the traditional way and has been singing since the age of 9. For the past 27 years he has been the Lead singer of The SilverCloud Singers out of New York City, major venues in N.Y.C. include: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Madison Square Garden, The Ritz, Roseland, LaMama Theater, Theater for New City, Lincoln Center, National Museum of the American Indian, Museum of Natural History, Public Theater, Apollo Theater, United Nations, Beacon Theater, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Most recently Tarrant performed in and served as Musical Director for Don't Feed the Indians - A Divine Comedy Pageant!