2011-2012 Board of Directors
Director Bios
Lynn Taylor- Weaver, Executive Director
Lynn Weaver is an educator, performer, director, and advocate of human potential. She reaches broad audiences to share the Arts and cross-cultural understanding. She collaborates regularly with Power of Hope, Canada World Youth, Cowichan Intercultural Society, and other leadership groups on Vancouver Island and abroad. Lynn is so grateful for the work of Matoto, and to her community in Guinea. For more information about Lynn and her work, see MoonDance Dynamic Arts School: www.MoonDanceArts.ca.
Kathleen Richmond, Interim Chair
Kathleen Richmond graduated at the top of her class from the University of Guelph with an Honors BA majored in Music. Her studies centered on the percussion of Guinea, West Africa. Out of respect for the artists who inspire her, Kathleen began conducting research into cultural representation, and became a proponent of cultural inclusion, anti-racism, and multiculturalism. Kathleen is grateful to have found Matoto, under the directorship of Lynn Weaver, as a context in which to engage change.
Kirsten “Putu” Hunter, Chair
Kirsten “Putu” Hunter has travelled in nearly thirty countries and has experienced the vibrant art and culture of many diverse communities around the world. Inspired by the potential for art to bring people together, build bridges, and promote peace, she joined the Matoto board, in part, to give back to the cultures that have nurtured her throughout her life journey. A drummer/singer/dancer with the Victoria-based West-African performance troupe Wontanara, Putu’s “day job” is as an Analyst working on human trafficking issues for the BC government. She also volunteers at the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre. Putu is honoured to be working with the board of Matoto.
Erin Dale, Secretary
Erin is a founding member of Matoto, inspired by Lynn and Byron’s experiences in West Africa. Erin has a Bachelor of Social Work from University of Victoria and works in program and contract management for the Province of BC. She enjoys international travel; Erin is also a director of CommonBorders/FronterasComunes, and has participated on two volunteer delegations in Mexico to observe elections. Erin is most excited about the possibilities for Matoto to become a driving force in the local community for projects that reach nationally and internationally, creating knowledge exchange through multicultural arts, and supporting the leadership of multicultural communities in Canada.
Sheryl Townsend, Treasurer
Born and raised in Victoria, Sheryl received a Finance Diploma from Camosun College in 1999 and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Royal Roads University in 2000, both of which will allow her to bring her experience in finance and accounting to Matoto. She discovered the world of West African dance and culture after joining MoonDance in 2004 and has enjoyed the energy it brings ever since. Sheryl has been regularly involved with local community events such as Habitat for Humanity, Jazzfest, Moss Street Paint-In, and the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and is looking forward to working on educational and multicultural projects that extend to the global community.
Amalia Colussi
Amalia has experimented with a variety of art forms, including movement (ballet, flamenco, yoga, and Pilates) and visual arts (drawing, painting, and photography). She started studying West African dance with MoonDance about 2 years ago. With other MoonDance students, she visited Guinea for a month to study traditional dancing and drumming. She joined Matoto at its inception, excited at the idea of combining humanitarian work with her love of dance and the arts.
Marielle Duranteau
Marielle is a young artist and business entrepreneur who proudly owns 2 small thriving Victoria-based companies: the first, Shift Natural Fashion, an eco-friendly clothing boutique; and Wontanara, a West African drum & dance school and performance company. Marielle’s partner in Wontanara is her husband, Guinean master dancer Mohamed Andre Duranteau. Marielle met Mohamed while on a drum & dance study trip to Guinea in 2006 where she studied with members of three West African ballets. Marielle’s first experience in Africa was as a Canada World Youth participant in 2001-2002. This experienced changed Marielle’s life forever as she returned to Canada with open eyes and a thirst for learning more about this amazingly rich continent and the many gifts it offered. Shortly upon her return to Nova Scotia, where she was born, Marielle began studying African dancing and never looked back! Marielle and Mohamed spread their passion for Guinean drum and dance to a wide audience, proud to belong to Vancouver & the Gulf Islands’ multi-cultural performing arts scene. In 2005 Marielle graduated from NSCAD University (Halifax) where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Jewellery and Metalsmithing. Marielle joined Matoto’s board in 2010 and contributes to cultural diversity by bringing her community leadership to Matoto’s projects.
Andrea McEneaney
Andrea’s biggest goal in life has always been ‘leave the world a better place than you found it’ which has resulted in her actively volunteering in various capacities since high school. Combined with her interest in other people and cultures, this goal eventually led to an extended stay in Tanzania in 2007. The eye opening experience taught her a lot about the different kinds of aid and what did and didn’t work in the communities she became apart of. Andrea returned home with a better understanding of how she wanted to help these communities. Music and dance have been an important part of Andrea’s life for as long as she can remember. Matoto offered her a perfect meld of her love of the arts with her beliefs in how best to help communities in Africa. Although far away from her adopted country of Tanzania, Andrea is very excited to be apart of Matoto and to facilitate positive change for communities in Guinea.
Byron Weaver
MoonDance partner and musician, Byron brings explosive energy to the classes. A guitar player for many years, he began his study on the intricacies of West African drumming six years ago.
