embody the rhythm

About Our Weekly Dance Class

West African Inspired* Dance, accompanied by live drumming!

Inspiration~ Kindia, Guinea

Ongoing Thursdays year round, always open to new folks. All are welcome ~ no experience necessary.

Thursdays, 7:15pm @ Maine Ballroom Dance Studio, 614 Congress St., Portland, ME

*I refer to this class as West African “Inspired” because the dances I teach are traditional to West Africa while filtered through me, non-native to their country of origin. I deeply honor the traditions and places from which these dances have come and the teachers who have shared them with me and allowed me to share them forward. I hope the rhythms and dances will inspire you as they have me, to learn more about the cultures that birthed them!

Our class begins with a warm up…

stretching

Next I break down the steps to the dance…

feeling the rhythm

Inspiration~ Doundounba in Conakry, Guinea

I teach a different dance each month, starting the new dance at the beginning of the month.

The steps are demonstrated and broken down in every class, so folks who drop in will still have the benefit of learning each of the moves.

Those who come consistently throughout the month can really get the dance into their bones. You can often learn which dance we’re focusing on for the month by staying tuned to The Monthly Groove.

Once the steps are broken down we move and groove the dance across the floor.

Live drumming in the traditional rhythm for each dance is provided by our fantastic crew of professional drummers…

so much fun!

Inspiration~ Nongo, Guinea

What to wear or bring:

We generally dance barefoot, but dance shoes (just not street shoes) are also allowed if preferred. It is best to wear comfortable clothing that provide you with ease of movement and the ability to work up a sweat. Most of the dances are quite lively and energetic. Please bring a water bottle and stay hydrated.

Class prices:

Everyone’s first class is half-price ($6) off the regular Drop-in cost~ $12.  Or you can purchase a Class Card~ $40 for 4 classes, to be used within an 8 week period.

My training:

My studies in African Dance dance include classes with master teachers from Guinea, Mali, Ghana, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon and the Congo. The majority of my training over the past 13 years has been with teachers from the West African country of Guinea, and the dances I share in our weekly class are most often from this country. I’ve recently returned from La Guinea where I spent an incredible month (January, 2012)  studying intensively under master teacher Youssouf Koumbassa and other guest artists at his annual Dance & Drum workshop in Nongo. I aim to host master teachers in African Dance to our class at least once a year, and  so far have had the joy of hosting these special guests: Brigitte Ndikum-Nyada of Cameroon,  Sidiki Sylla and Youssouf Koumbassa, both from Guinea.

For more information please feel free to contact me.

I hope to see you on the dance floor!

Peace & Wontanara