Eileen Carson-Schatz has dedicated her life to sharing the power and joy of traditional percussive dance throughout the U.S. and abroad. A co-founder of The Fiddle Puppet Dancers, in 1979, Eileen Carson is a pioneer in presenting American percussive dance to the general public. She has filled many roles including director, choreographer, vocalist, dance instructor and traditional arts advocate for over 25 years.

Elizabeth Melvin specializes in Caribbean, West African and Latin American musics. She studied Cuban percussion under master drummer, Lorenzo Peñabel, and was invited to play marimba with Senegalese musician, Djimo Kouyate, in the West African group Mamaya.  She has performed with the world beat groups Mama Jama, Jambulay, Caribbean Art Jazz Ensemble, and “Goombay: The Caribbean Experience.”

Heidi Kulas grew up in a dancing family in Greenville, Michigan. She has toured rigorously across the country performing as a clogger, Irish step dancer and modern stylist.  She was a principal dancer with the international touring company, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, directing their Junior Company and Arts-In-Education programs.