Cliff Berrien, Director

Cliff has been the Director of Batucaxé since the group's inception over seven years ago. He brings more than thirty years of experience as a musician and dedicated student of African Diaspora music, having studied music, percussion and culture around the world.

In addition to Batucaxé, Cliff has used that knowledge as a world music DJ, drum circle facilitator, drummer for "Worldbeat Aerobics" classes, assistant director of the Tucson High Brazilian Drumming ensemble, and other novel ways to explore and extend wellness through music. He has collaborated with Alyrio Lima, Todd Hammes, Joan Halifax, Ashana LaBodie, Drum Café, Mike Vercelli and many others.

Yarrow King, Assistant Director, Dance

Yarrow Has studied, taught and performed West African, Brazilian, and Caribbean dance with local and regional ensembles for over 15 years.  She choreographs performance pieces combining traditional and contemporary forms of dance and is the primary instructor for our weekly dance classes. Yarrow's teaching style welcomes students into an experience of fun, safety, and creativity,encouraging participants to explore their own self-expression and emotional, mental and physical well-being.

Mike Olson, Assistant Director, Band

Mike brings more than twenty-five years of experience as a performer, arranger, band director, singer, songwriter, stilt walker and student of music. He has studied and performed with a long list of internationally respected musicians and dancers, and his bands have opened for many of the top names in world music. He has been an Assistant director of Batucaxé for seven years.

Mike Zecchino, Assistant Director, Band

Mike has been performing and recording a wide range of music styles for over 20 years, including ten years as Director of the a cappella group Catacoustic Groove. He is the proprietor of The Nail Recording Studio.

Susan Swan, Chairwoman

Susan is the chair of Batucaxé's Board of Directors. She has been a member of the band for over five years and provides a career full of leadership to our organization.