Iddrisu (Iddi) Saaka is an award-winning West African dance and music performance artist, teacher, and Assistant Professor of Dance at Wesleyan University. Iddi holds a Diploma (with distinction) from the University of Ghana and an MFA in Dance from the University of California, Los Angeles. His performances and teaching engagements have graced renowned venues in places such as Los Angeles, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, Israel, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. Notably, in 2003, he had the privilege of performing for the President of Israel, a testament to his exceptional artistry.
Beyond his performances, Iddi has also dedicated his creative endeavors to addressing significant issues through his original works. He has crafted multifaceted pieces that tackle subjects such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ghana and Malawi, illegal small-scale mining in Ghana, and racism in American society. Moreover, Iddi has also worked extensively with youth in juvenile detention centers in Connecticut, utilizing dance and music as vehicles for personal growth and empowerment. In the spring 2023 semester, Iddi designed and taught a West African African dance academic course at the York Correctional Institution in Niantic, Connecticut through Wesleyan’s Center for Prison Education program.
Iddi’s vision for dance encompasses inclusivity and accessibility for all, irrespective of age, gender, ability, or body size. He is a sought-after artist, captivating audiences with his performances and conducting West African dance workshops and residencies in K-12 schools across Connecticut, New York, and the wider New England region. Notably, he was selected by the Connecticut Office of the Arts in 2022 to design and deliver a 10-week sequential learning West African drumming and dance residency for residents of a housing facility catering to older adults in Niantic, Connecticut. Iddi has served as a visiting instructor of Dance at esteemed institutions including Connecticut College, the University of California in Los Angeles and San Diego, Springfield College in Massachusetts, and the University of Ghana. Currently, Iddi holds the position of Assistant Professor of Dance at Wesleyan University, where he imparts his knowledge, passion, and expertise to aspiring dancers and artists. In recognition of his exceptional teaching abilities, Iddi was honored with Wesleyan’s prestigious Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching award in 2018. With his remarkable achievements, profound commitment to community engagement, and unwavering dedication to artistic excellence, Iddi continues to inspire and uplift individuals through the transformative power of dance and music.
