Baba Kevin Collins is a well-respected percussionist both locally and throughout the country, who has played one form of percussion instrument or another since he was 6 years old. After graduating from Flint Northern High School, Baba Kevin began to tour with musical legends such as,  Ronnie Laws, Allan Barnes, Jack McDuff, Roy Ayers, Eddie Harris, Leon Thomas, Wendell Harris, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Jimmy Smith, Marcus Bell Graves, Sule Greg Wilson, The Willie George Big Band, and Reverend James Cleveland, King, Sundiata Keita and Kankouran West African Dance Company.  Baba Kevin’s musical spectrum is wide-ranging and includes all genres of music - Jazz, Blues, Big Band, Latin and Caribbean.

Baba Kevin began to embark on a new focus:  that of the African, Caribbean, and Cuban Drums.  Kevin went on to create Kuungana African Drum and Dance Company and the non-profit group African Drum and Dance Parent Association.   He believes in the African proverb, “It Takes A Village To Raise A Child”.  In doing so through his teachings, all are inspired to learn, rehearse and perform to the best of their abilities.   

His group the Kuungana Drum and Dance Company and Kankouran West African Dance Company from D.C. hosts an annual workshop and conference at The Masonic Temple in Flint, showcasing his student’s skills. Kevin has worked with many churches, schools and organizations, in Michigan, at workshops, festivals and performances. He has been an instructor with VSA Michigan, for more than eighteen years, working with and performing for youth and adults throughout Michigan, the U.S. and in Mexico.  He was a presenter at the 2000 VSA International Festival in Los Angeles, and at the 2010 VSA International Festival in Washington, DC, where he presented the VSA Michigan arts JAM Percussion Ensemble in performance at the Smithsonian Discovery Theatre on June 8, 2010.