Onstage company
Documented collaborators
Awake The White and Wint'ry Queen is a collaborative performer project led by Will Ridenour, a West African kora specialist based in North Carolina. Rooted in the 2008 Paperhand Puppet Intervention production, this duo blends traditional kora melodies with contemporary storytelling and performance art. Will’s background includes formal study in Mali and Senegal, multiple North Carolina Arts Council grants, and ongoing collaborations with Paperhand, Kaira Ba, Wind & Stars, and other NC artists. This page highlights their biography, discography, and upcoming appearances across North Carolina.