Kijana Wiseman, M.Ed. is a versatile performer of theatrical and communicative arts. An award-winning lyric coloratura soprano with a 3.5 octave range, Kijana has been performing since she was four years old--professionally since the age of nine. She has won the City of Houston Talent Competition and been named the national APCA 2002 Best College Performing Artist of the Year.  Her interactive one-woman show, The Griot, has been named the Best College Diversity Program for 2001 and 2002.   

Kijana began her theatrical career as a child actress at Houston's Theatre Inc. and Alley Theatre where she held many lead roles in musicals and plays. She received her BFA in Theatre from the University of Houston and her Masters, specializing in African Theatre, as a result of joint studies at Texas Southern University and the University of Liberia, West Africa.  Kijana lived in Liberia,  for 6 years, first as a Peace Corps Volunteer, working and performing with the National Liberian Cultural Troupe, then as a performer, model and TV host of  “Under the Palm Tree with Kijana” (for 3 years) on ELBC-TV.  She sang with Mariam Makeba, Hugh Masakela and, upon returning to America, for several years with the Houston Symphony Chorus, The WABC Workshop Chorus, The Oratorio Society’s Masterworks Chorus and as a Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster Artist.

Kijana’s finely tuned voice makes most audiences think she is a lip syncing with a CD when they first hear her.  She has a working songlist comprised of hundreds of jazz / pop / vaudeville / showtunes and international songs with tracks or live accompaniment and has appeared in over a dozen countries on the American, African and European continents.  She has performed as “The Griot” at over 300 venues in America and Europe. Her Demos, SongLIst, Biography, promotional files, performance history, newspaper reviews and articles, photo gallery,  and more info is available at the Kijana.com homepage or by calling  713-521-0900 / 800-546-0540 (international Skype.com#:  kijanawiseman).   Kijana owns The Wiseman Company and MoShows.com and is happily married to Aundra Sebastian Fusilier.

A unique international presenter ...eclectic and entertaining.

“Rebate a Date” 

A candid workshop on the realities of dating survival. Proven techniques to help students avoid date rape, awkward goodbyes, HIV-AIDS, "Homer" and the "Hoochies."     Includes extensive audience participation with interaction, dramatic improv, Q & A and open discussion.  Perfect for high school /college orientations.

“So, What RU Doin’ Bout the Rest of Yr Life?” 

Kijana uses dramatic interp, discussion, role-playing, Q&A and customized worksheets to imbue a sense of self-determination  ...encouraging participants to take control of their lives. This workshop is customized to suit the needs of participants in various stages of life: elementary, teens, college, adults & seniors.

Click here for a downloadable  copy of the participant’s Worksheet.

THE GRIOT

Adaptable Audience Adventures!

National Winner:  APCA Best Diversity Program for 2001 & 2002

Kijana, as The Griot, takes your audience on a time trip back to the dawn of existence while portraying many different types of women in history: an African maiden, slave, gospel choir director, preacher, toddler, jazz, blues, vaudeville rock and even opera singer-- celebrating our common ancestral musical heritage.

THEME VARIATIONS: The Kwanzaa Griot, The Children's Griot & The Women's Griot.

Click here to see excerpts of Kijana as The Griot on YouTube.

GEMINI LOVE SONGS

Beautiful, romantic melodies from both sides of love.... perfect for receptions, banquets, parties, country clubs and special events...

Workshops: 

Offerings are available with tracks and live musicians and as a part of Kijana’s  speciality programs:   “The Griot”, “Gemini Love Songs” plus Christian Spirituals and special music for Weddings, Funerals, Banquets, Parties, Receptions, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, MLK Day Freedom Songs and a smattering of songs in select foreign languages ... just ask for your favorites.  Kijana reads music, is a quick study...and her 3.5 octave range can probably accommodate you!  Check out her must current Songlist!

Shows: 

See Kijana’s videos on the MoShows YouTube site!