International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance
A Non-Governmental Organization in Formal Consultative Relations with UNESCO
History of the governance of ICTMD
The present Executive Board of the Council consists of a President, two Vice Presidents, and nine Ordinary Members, who are elected by the membership. However, while there has always been a President, the number of Vice Presidents and of Ordinary Members has varied at different points in time. Before Board members were directly elected by the membership (since 2005), they were appointed by other members of the Board.
The Secretariat concerns the day-to-day running of the Council. The title of the person heading the Secretariat has changed through the years, as have the titles and functions of the person(s) assisting in this work.
The lists below celebrate the individuals who have served in these roles that are fundamental to the running of the Council. Information has been taken from Bulletins and the minutes of Executive Board meetings. We welcome any corrections.
You can click on table headers to sort rows by that column.
Executive Board
Presidents
| Name ▾ | Country | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Castelo-Branco, Salwa El-Shawan | Portugal | 2013–2021 |
| Kaeppler, Adrienne L. | USA | 2005–2013 |
| Karpeles, Maud | UK | 1963–1976 (Honorary) |
| Kodály Zoltán | Hungary | 1961–1967 |
| Kunst, Jaap | the Netherlands | 1959–1960 |
| Malm, Krister | Sweden | 1999–2005 |
| Pettan, Svanibor | Slovenia | 2021–2025 |
| Rhodes, Willard | USA | 1967–1973 |
| Rovsing Olsen, Poul | Denmark | 1977–1982 |
| Seeger, Anthony | USA | 1997–1999 |
| Stockmann, Erich | Germany | 1982–1997 |
| Vaughan Williams, Ralph | UK | 1947–1958 |
| Wachsmann, Klaus P. | UK | 1973–1977 |
Vice Presidents
| Name ▾ | Country | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Araújo, Samuel | Brazil | 2023-2027 |
| Barbeau, Marius | Canada | 1958-1969 |
| Castelo-Branco, Salwa El-Shawan | Portugal | 1997-2001 |
| Castelo-Branco, Salwa El-Shawan | Portugal | 2009-2013 |
| Cherbuliez, Antoine-Elysée | Switzerland | 1948-1964 |
| Collaer, Paul | Belgium | 1964-1970 |
| Elschek, Oskár | Czechoslovakia/Slovakia | 1987-1997 |
| Kaeppler, Adrienne L. | USA | 2001-2005 |
| Kennedy, Douglas | UK | 1975-1976 |
| Lewin, Olive | Jamaica | 1987-1995 |
| Lorenzen, Poul | Denmark | 1947-1951 |
| Mahdi, Salah el- | Tunisia | 1983-1987 |
| Malm, Krister | Sweden | 1995-1999 |
| Marcel-Dubois, Claudie | France | 1967-1987 |
| Marett, Allan | Australia | 2005-2009 |
| Marinus, Albert | Belgium | 1947-1962 |
| Niles, Don | Papua New Guinea | 2013-2017 |
| Niles, Don | Papua New Guinea | 2019-2023 |
| O’Sullivan, Donal | Ireland | 1962-1966 |
| Pettan, Svanibor | Slovenia | 2009-2011 |
| Pettan, Svanibor | Slovenia | 2017-2021 |
| Rhodes, Willard | USA | 1973-1980 |
| Sandvik, Ole Mørk | Norway | 1954-1968 |
| Stockmann, Erich | Germany | 1975-1981 |
| Sultanova, Razia | UK | 2015-2019 |
| Tan Sooi Beng | Malaysia | 2021-2025 |
| Trần Văn Khê | Vietnam | 1979-1987 |
| van Zanten, Wim | the Netherlands | 2005-2009 |
| Wachsmann, Klaus P. | USA | 1970-1973 |
| Wild, Stephen | Australia | 2001-2005 |
| Wild, Stephen | Australia | 2011-2015 |
Ordinary Board Members
| Name ▾ | Country | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandru, Tiberiu | Romania | 1970-1979 |
| Almeida, Renato | Brazil | 1947-1964 |
| Araújo, Samuel | Brazil | 1999-2001 |
| Araújo, Samuel | Brazil | 2009-2017 |
| Aretz de Ramón y Rivera, Isabel | Venezuela | 1964-1973 |
| Avorgbedor, Daniel | Ghana | 2021-2023 |
| Avorgbedor, Daniel | Ghana | 2023-2027 |
| Ayyangar, Ranganayaki | India | 1981-1988 |
| Baké, Arnold A. | the Netherlands | 1953-1955 |
| Baké, Arnold A. | the Netherlands | 1958-1963 |
| Bakka, Egil | Norway | 1999-2005 |
| Barwani, Khalfan al- | Oman | 1994-1999 |
| Baud-Bovy, Samuel | Switzerland | 1977-1982 |
| Baumann, Max-Peter | Switzerland | 1991-1997 |
| Bayard, Samuel P. | USA | 1956-1962 |
| Béhague, Gérard | USA | 1995-1999 |
| Bielawski, Ludwik | Poland | 1985-1991 |
| Binson, Bussakorn | Thailand | 2017-2019 |
| Blacking, John | UK | 1976-1979 |
| Blacking, John | UK | 1987-1989 |
| Bröcker, Marianne | Germany | 1997-2009 |
| de Carvalho, João Soeiro | Portugal | 2019-2021 |
| Castelo-Branco, Salwa El-Shawan | Portugal | 1984-1996 |
| Ceribašić, Naila | Croatia | 2011-2023 |
| Chaudhuri, Shubha | India | 1993-1999 |
| Citro, Silvia | Argentina | 2019-2021 |
| Citro, Silvia | Argentina | 2021-2027 |
| Christensen, Dieter | USA | 1970-1991 |
| Christensen, Dieter | USA | 1999 |
| Cooke, Peter | UK | 1978-1987 |
| Corrêa de Azevedo, Luiz-Heitor | Brazil | 1970-1976 |
| Crossley-Holland, Peter | UK | 1963-1977 |
| Czekanowska-Kuklinska, Anna | Poland | 1976-1985 |
| Daems, Hendrik | Belgium | 1977-1982 |
| Dal, Erik | Denmark | 1956-1969 |
| Devčić, Natko | Yugoslavia | 1947-1953 |
| Diamond, Beverley | Canada | 2001-2009 |
| Diettrich, Brian | New Zealand | 2019-2025 |
| Dragoi, Sabin | Romania | 1960-1966 |
| Mahdi, Salah el- | Tunisia | 1973-1983 |
| Elschek, Oskár | Czechoslovakia | 1971-1987 |
| Emrich, Duncan | USA | 1947-1953 |
| Euba, O. Akin | Nigeria | 1971-1975 |
| Foley, Catherine | Ireland | 2015-2023 |
| García, Miguel A. | Argentina | 2017-2019 |
| García Matos, Manuel | Spain | 1962-1964 |
| Gerson-Kiwi, Edith | Israel | 1968-1981 |
| Haywood, Charles | USA | 1970-1978 |
| Hemetek, Ursula | Austria | 2005-2013 |
| Hughes, David | UK | 1993-1999 |
| Jairazbhoy, Nazir Ali | USA | 1971-1985 |
| Kaeppler, Adrienne L. | USA | 1999-2001 |
| Katz, Israel J. | USA | 1977-1978 |
| Kennedy, Douglas | UK | 1947-1975 |
| Kidula, Jean | USA | 2009-2015 |
| Kishibe Shigeo | Japan | 1977-1983 |
| Kraus, Egon | Germany | 1953-1981 |
| Kunst, Jaap | the Netherlands | 1949-1958 |
| Lajtha Laszló | Hungary | 1947-1962 |
| Lalendle, Lumkile | South Africa | 1997-1999 |
| Lee Hye-ku | Korea | 1979-1989 |
| Lee Tong Soon | Singapore/USA | 2017-2020 (ex officio) |
| Lewin, Olive | Jamaica | 1970-1987 |
| Maceda, José | Philippines | 1984-1989 |
| Malm, Krister | Sweden | 1983-1995 |
| Mapoma, I. Mwesa | Zambia | 1978-1994 |
| Marcel-Dubois, Claudie | France | 1947-1967 |
| Marett, Allan | Australia | 1997-2003 |
| Menezes Bastos, Rafael | Brazil | 1997-1999 |
| Michaelides, Solon | Greece | 1948-1968 |
| Mohd Anis Md Nor | Malaysia | 2013-2015 |
| Muslu, Olcay | Turkey | 2023-2025 |
| Nataletti, Giorgio | Italy | 1949-1956 |
| Nettl, Bruno | USA | 1976-1977 |
| Niles, Don | Papua New Guinea | 2007-2013 |
| Niles, Don | Papua New Guinea |
2017-2019
|
| Nketia, J. H. Kwabena | Ghana | 1959-1971 |
| Nzewi, Meki | Nigeria | 1981-1985 |
| O’Sullivan, Donal | Ireland | 1956-1962 |
| Omibiyi, Mosunmola | Nigeria | 1974-1975 |
| Omondi, Washington | Kenya | 1985-1988 |
| Opondo, Patricia | South Africa | 2001-2009 |
| Ostashewski, Marcia | Canada | 2019-2025 |
| Ozah, Marie Agatha | Nigeria | 2015-2023 |
| Ozah, Marie Agatha | Nigeria | 2023-2027 |
| Palčok, Zoran | Yugoslavia | 1953-1955 |
| Petridis, Petro | Greece | 1947-1951 |
| Petrović, Radmila | Yugoslavia | 1971-1985 |
| Pettan, Svanibor | Slovenia | 2001-2009 |
| Pinon, Roger | Belgium | 1962-1971 |
| Pop, Mihai | Romania | 1967-1971 |
| Rajeczky Benjamin | Hungary | 1967-1979 |
| Rhodes, Willard | USA | 1956-1967 |
| Rice, Timothy | USA | 2007-2013 |
| Ringer, Alexander | USA | 1967-1971 |
| Rovsing Olsen, Poul | Denmark | 1970-1977 |
| Sandvik, Ole Mørk | Norway | 1947-1953 |
| Santaella, Mayco A. | Argentina/Malaysia | 2023-2025 |
| Santos, Artur | Portugal | 1948-1951 |
| Sardo, Susana | Portugal | 2023-2027 |
| Sarkar Munsi, Urmimala | India | 2023-2025 |
| Sárosi, Bálint | Hungary | 1978-1991 |
| Saygun, Ahmed Adnan | Turkey | 1947-1962 |
| Seebass, Tilman | Austria | 1999-2005 |
| Seeger, Anthony | USA | 1987-1997 |
| Seeger, Anthony | USA | 1999-2001 |
| Seeger, Charles | USA | 1952-1956 |
| Sheen Dae-Cheol | Korea | 2009-2011 |
| Smith, Barbara | USA | 1966-1970 |
| Sordo Sodi, Carmen | Mexico | 1976-1978 |
| Stepputat, Kendra | Austria | 2021-2027 |
| Stock, Jonathan P.J. | UK | 2004-2009 |
| Stock, Jonathan P.J. | UK | 2013-2019 |
| Stockmann, Erich | Germany | 1964-1975 |
| Sultanova, Razia | UK | 2011-2015 |
| Suppan, Wolfgang | Germany | 1985-1991 |
| Szego, Kati | Canada | 2009-2017 |
| Talam, Jasmina | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2021-2027 |
| Tan Sooi Beng | Malaysia | 2005-2011 |
| Tan Sooi Beng | Malaysia | 2015-2021 |
| Terada Yoshitaka | Japan | 2013-2019 |
| Tô Ngoc Thanh | Vietnam | 1999-2005 |
| Tokumaru Yoshihiko | Japan | 1983-1989 |
| Torp, Lisbet | Denmark | 1987-1999 |
| Trần Quang Hải | France | 2005-2017 |
| Trần Văn Khê | Vietnam | 1975-1979 |
| Trimillos, Ricardo | USA | 1978-1993 |
| Tsao Pen-Yeh | Hong Kong | 1989-1993 |
| Tsuge Gen’ichi | Japan | 1987-2001 |
| Tsukada Kenichi | Japan | 2001-2007 |
| Vetterl, Karel | Czechoslovakia | 1962-1970 |
| Vodušek, Valens | Yugoslavia | 1967-1971 |
| Wachsmann, Klaus | Uganda | 1947-1957 |
| Wachsmann, Klaus | UK | 1958-1963 |
| Wachsmann, Klaus | USA | 1963-1965 |
| Wachsmann, Klaus | UK | 1966-1970 |
| Wang Yaohua | China | 2001-2005 |
| Wild, Stephen | Australia | 1989-1999 |
| Wiora, Walter | Germany | 1955-1969 |
| Wiora, Walter | Germany | 1970-1979 |
| Witzig, Louise | Switzerland | 1947-1956 |
| Witzleben, J. Lawrence | USA | 2009-2021 |
| Wrazen, Louise | Canada | 2019-2025 |
| Xiao Mei | China | 2011-2019 |
| Yelemanova, Saida | Kazakhstan | 2013-2015 |
| van Zanten, Wim | the Netherlands | 1996-2005 |
| van Zanten, Wim | the Netherlands | 2009-2011 |
| Zemtsovsky, Izaly | Russia | 1989-1993 |
| Žganec, Vinko | Yugoslavia | 1955-1967 |
Secretariat
Secretaries General and equivalent positions
| Name ▾ | Country | Period | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band, Robin W. I. | UK | 1963-1965 | Executive Secretary |
| Christensen, Dieter | USA | 1981-2001 | Secretary General |
| Ejlers, Christian | Denmark | 1967-1968 | Executive Secretary |
| George, Graham | Canada | 1969-1972 | Honorary Executive Secretary |
| George, Graham | Canada | 1972-1980 | Secretary General |
| Hemetek, Ursula | Austria | 2017-2021 | Secretary General |
| Karpeles, Maud | UK | 1947-1963 | Secretary |
| Krader, Barbara | USA | 1965-1966 | Executive Secretary |
| Lee Tong Soon | Singapore/USA | 2021-2025 | Secretary General |
| Matthews, Connie | Jamaica/Denmark | 1968-1969 | Executive Secretary |
| Pettan, Svanibor | Slovenia | 2011-2017 | Secretary General |
| Seeger, Anthony | USA | 2001-2005 | Secretary General |
| Stallman, Felicia | UK | 1966-1967 | Executive Secretary |
| Wild, Stephen | Australia | 2006-2011 | Secretary General |
Executive Secretaries and equivalent positions
| Name ▾ | Country | Period | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band, Robin W. I. | UK | 1962-1963 | Executive Secretary |
| Christensen, Nerthus | USA | 1981-2001 | Executive Secretary |
| George, Tjot | Canada | 1969-1980 | Assistant Secretary |
| Gwynn Williams, W. S. | UK | 1948-1955 | Honorary Treasurer |
| Gwynn Williams, W. S. | UK | 1956-1966 | Treasurer |
| Kirkiacharian, Chakée | Denmark | 1968-1969 | Assistant Secretary |
| Matthews, Connie | Jamaica/Denmark | 1967 | Assistant Secretary |
| Proberts, Lee-Anne | Australia | 2006-2011 | Executive Assistant |
| Rovsing Olsen, Poul | Denmark | 1967-1969 | Treasurer |
| Parkinson, T. H. R. | Canada | 1970-1976 | Treasurer |
| Salloum, Kelly | USA | 2001 | Membership and Publication Coordinator |
| Salloum, Kelly | USA | 2002-2005 | Membership and Publication Coordinator/Treasurer |
| Skillen, Jane | UK | 1965-1967 | Assistant Secretary |
| Yoder, Carlos | Argentina/Slovenia | 2011-2022 | Executive Assistant |
| Yoder, Carlos | Argentina/Slovenia | 2022-2025 | Executive Secretary |