Kathy Armstrong

Kathy Armstrong is a percussionist and educator combining her training in classical music and education with her many years of studies in Ghanaian music and dance to offer an integrated and community-based approach in her work. She received her BMus and MMus from the University of Toronto, and an MA in Music and Culture from Carleton University. She travelled to Ghana in 1990 to begin studies with Kwasi Dunyo, and their longtime connection has fostered meaningful cross-cultural relationships and educational projects. Kathy’s extensive work with choirs began with Doreen Rao and led to many creative alliances. Kathy founded Ottawa’s Baobab Drum Dance Community (1995-2020), an early leader in intercultural arts education. Kathy currently teaches at Carleton University in the School for Studies in Art and Culture, where she also directs the West African Rhythm Ensemble. She received a Community Award from the Ghanaian Association of Ottawa, and is an honorary elder in the village of Dagbamete, Ghana.