Francis Nii Yartey
Francis Nii Yartey (1946–2015) was a Ghanaian choreographer, dancer, and professor. He was the second director of the Ghana National Ensemble, succeeding Professor Albert Mawere Opoku.[1][2]
Education and career
[edit]Yartey earned a certificate and diploma at the University of Ghana in 1968 and 1971 respectively. At the university, he came under many Ghanaian practitioner-researchers including J.H. Nketia, Efua Sutherland and Albert Opoku Mawere.[3] He then studied for a Master of Arts degree at the University of Illinois and was awarded the degree in 1975.[2]
A year after earning his master's degree, he took over as the Artistic Director/Choreographer of the Ghana Dance Ensemble. He remained so until 1993 when the ensemble moved to the National Theatre.[4] The group was renamed the National Dance Company. He continued his role with the group until 2006 when he retired.[5]
Yartey became an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana in 2006. He left for Swarthmore University, Pennsylvania, USA where he taught for a year.[6] Back in Ghana, he taught at Ashesi University College as an adjunct professor.[5] He returned to the School of Performing Arts (SPA) at the University of Ghana, becoming the head of the Department of Dance Studies.[2]
Honours
[edit]In 2000, Yartey was awarded the Grand Medal (Civil Division) in 2000 for his contribution to the development of dance in the country.[7]
Notable works
[edit]Between 1999 and 2008, he choreographed the opening and closing ceremonies of international football tournaments that Ghana hosted. This includes the 2008 African Cup of Nations.[7][2]
Death
[edit]Yartey died in India while on tour with a group of dancers.
References
[edit]- ^ "Dance". Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ a b c d Online, Peace FM. "Prof Nii Yartey Passes Away". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ Mot Juste (2017-04-17). "F Nii-Yartey - an obituary".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Francis Nii-Yartey – Books Africana". Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ a b "Mahama consoles family of late Prof. Nii Yartey". GhanaWeb. 2015-12-12. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ "A tribute for Professor F. Nii Yartey | The Dance Journal". 2015-12-01. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ a b "Prof. F Nii Yartey – He died as he lived – A devotee to dance in Ghana". Arts Ghana. 2015-12-03. Retrieved 2022-04-08.