Robert Kpogo
Instructor, Ethnomusicology
Director of West African Music Ensemble
Robert Kpogo, born in Ghana and raised in Togo in West Africa, is a master musician and active member of Edmonton's Wajjo African Drummers and Kekeli Dancers groups which performed at festivals and traditional ceremonies since the age of 17 in Togo, Ghana and Canada.
Robert has worked at the University of Alberta Department of Music as Director of West African Music Ensemble since September 2003.
In 1986, he attended Saint Boniface College, University of Manitoba, Canada where he obtained his BA in philosophy in May 1989. He studied in Education program at the same University for two years. In 1992, Robert moved to Edmonton, Alberta where he pursued his master's degree program at Newman Theological College.
Robert currently works full time at W.P. Wagner High School in the Special Needs program and also directs the West African Music Ensemble. He has also conducted workshops such as:
- St John XXIII Catholic School, Fort Saskatchewan, Workshop elementary students (2016)
- Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Summer Camp Workshop for children (2009)
- Suzuki Music Institution, Summer Camp Workshop, University of Alberta (2006)
Over the last fifteen years, Robert toured with Wajjo African Drummers performing at various celebrations and events throughout Western Canada and Eastern United States. Robert also directs the West African Music Ensemble which, among other activities stages musical performances to the community yearly.