ABOUT US:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 

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Claudia Balladelli is Axé WorldFest’s co-founder and Artistic Director. She was born and raised in Londrina, Brazil and has resided in Canada for more than 20 years, working as a programmer, publicist, and artistic director. She speaks four languages and is frequently called upon to share her experiences as a commentator and panellist, most recently at the Dakar Music Expo in Senegal, at Porto Musical in Brazil, and at Womex, the Worldwide Music Expo. She served as cultural ambassador for the Mercury Lounge, a nexus for musical discovery that saw international acts such as Gil Scott-Heron, Bebel Gilberto, Quantic, and hundreds of others grace the stage of this New York-style club that was the homebase for the city’s artists, cultural and political leaders, and entrepreneurs. The name Axé Worldfest comes from Yoruba (“àse” — and pronounced ah-sheh). It is a West African philosophical concept through which the Yoruba of Nigeria conceive the power to make things happen. This is a throughline for Balladelli, who uses her energy and life force to support emerging artists in establishing professional networks and partnerships around the world.

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Yasmina Proveyer  along with Claudia co-founded Axé Worldfest in 2019. She was born in Havana, Cuba, and immigrated to Canada in 2008 seeking a way to further develop her professional career. She has an extensive education covering all possible aspects of music, dance, and drama. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Theatre arts and a master's diploma from the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, China.
For over a decade she has been actively involved in the Ottawa artistic community, working in the music industry as an event producer, music manager, arts administrator, and cultural connector. She has served for a few years as the co-chair and chair of the Global music advisory committee for the Juno awards, and many juries for the City of Ottawa, the Ontario Arts Council, and FACTOR.

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Dayani Castro, was born in Cuba, and came to Canada 15 years ago. Her background is in Accounting, and own her own business. Avid reader, coffee lover.

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She is an experienced professional with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Finance, and a Canadian Diploma in Accounting and Payroll. Fluent in English and Spanish. Dayani's vision is to help as many immigrants as possible to create thriving businesses, giving them the opportunity to be independent, give back to the society and create new jobs.

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Currently Axé's team is formed by:

Fateema Sayani - production and outreach associate 

Thabby Regiani - Graphics & Communications Designer

Moira Germann - Website designer 

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All photography taken by Ming Wu

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Staff and volunteers:

Marie Boillon

Maria Luisa Anastacio

Vania De Rosayro

Yanira Heredia

Mayra Barbosa

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