2006 Gala Entertainers

Arya Dance Academy

Operating throughout the United States and the United Kingom, Arya International is a charitable dance and entertainment organization, dedicated to teaching South Asian dance techniques, music, singing, and acting to students of all ages. The Academy’s goal is to encourage current and future generations of South Asians to learn, respect, and admire their rich culture in the performance arts.

Established in 1998 and incorporated in the fall of 2000, Arya Dance Academy has outgrown its studios in New Jersey and now covers the states of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Chicago, and London, England. The professionally trained staff of Arya International has performed at worldwide events from the Bollywood sets of India to the Broadway stages of New York.

Kenny Endo

Kenny Endo is a performer/composer and a leading spirit in contemporary taiko. He is the first non-Japanese national to be honored with a natori (stage name and master's degree) in hogaku hayashi (classical), matsuri bayashi (festival), and kumi daiko. Utilizing the traditional Japanese drum in innovative collaborations, his music blends taiko rhythms influenced from around the world in original melodies and improvisation. As a composer, he has released three CDs: "Eternal Energy (1995), "Hibiki" (1998) and "Jugoya" (2000). Endo has performed as a taiko soloist with the Honolulu Symphony, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, percussionist Kiyohiko Semba, the Hawaii Opera Theater, with singer Bobby McFerrin, and the band Hiroshima. He has recently performed on tour in Germany and Belgium, opened the National Cherry Blossom Festivities at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and for The Who concert in Honolulu, played at the Georgia Dome for Microsoft's Global Meeting, and completed a residency at the Smithsonian Institute in conjunction with an exhibit for the Japanese artist Hokusai.

John Ryan

A 2006 APIASF scholarship recipient, John Ryan is a freshman at New York University majoring in music technology. He has studied piano since age 6 and has studied viola and composition as well. Classically trained, Ryan concentrates now on composing and improvising jazz/classical/fusion on his electronic keyboard/synthesizer. He is also a member of the NYU Swim Team. He will be performing original improvisational compositions.