Before moving to the United States more than 25 years ago, Youssouf was a principal dancer with Ballet Djoliba, one of Guinea’s premier dance and drum companies. He’s been described by students as “grace personified” and “the national treasure of Guinea”.
Currently, Youssouf is one of the most sought after teachers of West African Dance in all the world. He teaches workshops and conferences from Japan to Mexico to Israel to California to New England!
Join us for these fantastic opportunities to study with the Master!
Saturday, October 5 workshops and performance at the Dance Hall
Learn new drum and dance techniques during the day and then stay for a fabulous performance featuring master artists Ismael Bangoura, Sidiki Sylla, Mangue Sylla, Namory Keita, as well as other special guests including members of Portland’s Blue Moon Tribe and The Dance Hall’s own West African Dance and Drum classes!
About the artists Ismael Bangoura hails from Conakry, Guinea and began studying music at the age of nine, primarily playing djembe and krin. He first studied with Master Musician Mohamed Camara and then with Ibrahima “Boca” Camara. He is the musical director Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater in Burlington, VT. Ismael Bangoura
Sidiki “Boze” Sylla also comes from Conakry, Guinea where he was in one of Guinea’s national dance and drum troupes, Ballet Djoliba. He toured the world with the Ballet and relocated to the US more than 15 years ago. He has been the master dancer, principal choreographer, and artistic director for Jeh Kulu since 1997. Sidiki Sylla
Mangue Sylla started studying music in Conakry, Guinea when he was just seven years old. He performed with Les Merveilles de Guinee under Kemoko Sano, touring the world and eventually settling in NYC. In addition to regularly accompanying dance classes in New York, he is a much sought-after musician at workshops, camps, and festivals all over the world. Mangue Sylla
Namory Keita was the lead drummer for his village of Sangbarala, Guinea before relocating the United States. He is an incredibly talented drummer and generous teacher and has taught all over the world. He has a real talent for teaching across cultures and skill levels. He teaches weekly drum classes in Brattleboro, VT and Kittery, ME. Namory Keita
We’ll be taking a couple of weeks off from the regular routine. There will be no weekly classes Thursday, June 27 and July 4.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a chance to drum and dance…
Namory will be teaching at the Portsmouth Percussive Dance Festival June 27 – 30! He’s on the schedule 4:00 to 5:30 each day — check out the schedule and register now. And don’t miss the performance Saturday night!
I look forward to dancing with you all on July 11th and Namory looks forward to drumming with you in the meantime!
Namory Keita will be leading a three hour workshop in Barrington, NH
Sunday, June 16
1:00 to 4:00 pm
$30.00
Space is limited so register early to save a spot
Namory is a gifted teacher with a generous spirit. You’ll be sure to leave the workshop with some new-found knowledge about Guinean drumming and you’ll be sure to be smiling!
Enjoy this clip of him leading a group of drummers accompanying dance class.
Portsmouth Percussive Dance Festival
Internationally acclaimed artists convene to teach, create, and perform at the the PPDF @ The Dance Hall, June 27-30. Featuring Brenda Bufalino, Lisa LaTouche, Jay Clayton, Paul Arslanian, and Namory Keita!
More details coming soon, but we’ve got exciting news!
Sidiki Sylla, Ismael Bangoura and Soriba “Simbo” Camara will be back in October!
Check out the energy from their classes last fall at the Dance Hall!
Here’s the warm-up for Sidiki’s class and here’s the post class jam which features some fabulous students from Phillips Exeter Academy as well as the drummers! They rocked the house and we’re thrilled to welcome them back!!
