Valerie Naranjo
The University of Central Arkansas will proudly host percussionist Valerie Naranjo as an Artist in Residence on March 10-11.
A free, public concert is March 11, 7:30 p.m., in the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts Concert Hall. Other residency events are student focused.
Naranjo holds degrees in vocal and instrumental music education (University of Oklahoma) and Percussion Performance (Ithaca College). In 1988 her playing of the gyil’s traditional repertoire in Ghana’s Kobine Festival of Traditional Music led to the declaration of a chiefly decree in the Dagara nation that women be allowed to play the instrument for the first time. She plays percussion for NBC’s Saturday Night Live Band, and has recorded and performed with Broadway’s The Lion King, The Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, MEGADRUMS, and more. Her recent film score recordings include Final Fantasy – The Dream Within and Frida.
“I am thrilled that Valerie Naranjo will be on the UCA campus to work with our students and perform for the community. She is incredible, and so many people have already heard her play without realizing it. She created the percussion arrangements for The Lion King on Broadway and performed in the musical for over two decades. In addition to that, she’s recorded movie soundtracks and performed and recorded with artists like Tori Amos, David Byrne, and Phillip Glass. And for the past 30 years, she’s been the percussionist with the Saturday Night Live Band! And all that is in addition to the amazing, groundbreaking work she has done to bring the keyboard music of West Africa to new audiences,” said Blake Tyson, professor of music.
This residency is sponsored by the UCA College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Studies.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024-25, the UCA Artists in Residence program is funded by UCA arts fees with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. These events are free to UCA students and open to the public. No tickets are required. Events are located on the UCA campus, 201 Donaghey Ave, Conway, AR 72035. For more information about the UCA Artist in Residence program, visit https://uca.edu/cahss/artists-in-residence/ or contact Dr. Gayle Seymour, associate dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at (501) 450-3293; gayles@uca.edu.
