My name is Adryona Gaston. I’m a multidisciplinary artist pursuing a bachelor of arts in music, and a minor in dance at Cleveland State University with experience in vocal and dance performance, vocal and dance education, and community organization. 

Like many artists, my love for music began in childhood, inspired by iconic films and soundtracks like The Wizard of Oz and The Fifth Element. In high school, I dove deep into the world of music through marching band, which opened the door to rich musical experiences and connections. By graduation, I was already performing at churches, community events, and private gatherings. Choosing music as my focus in college was the easiest decision of my life. Studying it at a collegiate level sharpened my skills in performance, theory, and technique—while also cultivating essential creative life tools like collaboration, independence, and resilience.

My dance career began in my younger years as a liturgical dancer for my church in Dayton, Ohio. 5 years of dancing for worship encouraged me to take the craft more seriously and This lead me to take studio classes in Ballet and Contemporary, impacting my passion and stylistic choices forever. seriously, leading me to formal training in ballet and contemporary dance. In college, I chose to formally study dance to deepen my impact through education, performance, and cultural storytelling. This decision led to incredible teaching opportunities with Karamu House, After School All Stars, and Rainey Institute—organizations that reflect my values of community, creativity, and access.

As my college experience comes to a close, I’m excited to expand my mission—using arts education and performance to inspire others, just as it transformed me.  

My foundation for seeing vision in spaces to design and style is rooted in my experience as an African-American woman. My identity is deeply rooted in my heritage and living spaces. My mother always honored our West African ancestry by calling me by my Ghanaian name, Kuukua—which means “girl born on Wednesday.” This name has always shaped how I move through the world—I truly believe this translation of my identity shaped my human experience and how i  show up in the world as a whole.  

I have relocated to Philadelphia!