Saeed Abbas, a Whidbey Island resident and master drummer originally from Ghana, was recently accepted to the Washington State Arts Commission’s Teaching Artist Roster for 2017-2018.

Washington State Arts Commission teaching artists are selected for superior mastery of their art and their ability to inspire and energize students. Abbas is a “dynamo” with more than 30 years of experience teaching and performing in many countries of the world, according to a press release.

Only four musicians were selected from the many who applied.

“This is a great honor for me,” Abbas said in a press release. “I will represent the state of Washington and my country of Ghana to the best of my abilities.”

Abbas currently teaches West African rhythms in Anacortes and frequently performs in Langley and Freeland.