Paschal Yao Younge

Paschal Yao Younge is a Professor of Music Education at the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, Ohio University, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Ohio University Global Arts Festival and the Ohio University African Ensemble. He is the Executive and Music Director of Azaguno, Inc., a multi-ethnic ensemble based in Athens, Ohio, dedicated to the research, preservation, and performance of African, African American, Caribbean, and Latin American music and dance traditions.

• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, West Virginia University (1998)
• Master of Music in Music Education, West Virginia University (1995)
• Special Diploma in African Music, University of Ghana, Legon (1989)
• Professional Music Education Diploma, National Academy of Music, Winneba, Ghana (1983)

Dr. Younge is a leading expert in multicultural and global music education, with deep specialization in African choral and brass band music, non-Western percussion pedagogy, and the interdisciplinary musical arts of Africa. His research emphasizes intercultural dialogue, curriculum development, and the preservation of African cultural heritage through performance, education, and scholarship. He has performed and presented in over 45 U.S. states and Canadian provinces and 25 countries, advocating for the integration of African musical traditions in global educational contexts.

His publications include the seminal book Music and Dance Traditions of Ghana, multiple choral compositions, field recordings, and a forthcoming biography of his father. The articles reflect a consistent focus on cultural authenticity, pedagogical innovation, and interdisciplinary performance, particularly in the context of Ghanaian and broader African traditions.

• Ohio Arts Council, 2020 Ohio Heritage Fellowship Awardee
• Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, 2019

Dr. Younge has directed major ensembles and centers, including the World Music Center at West Virginia University and the Ghana Dance Ensemble. He mentors students through performance groups and festival leadership, fostering cross-cultural understanding and artistic excellence. His work bridges scholarship and practice, advancing both academic knowledge and public engagement with African musical arts.

He leads Azaguno, Inc., a dynamic ensemble that serves as a living laboratory for intercultural performance, research, and community outreach, featuring long-term collaborators from diverse artistic backgrounds.