Born and raised in Ivory Coast.

Languages: English, French, Senufo, Bambara, Manikan

Master Musician - Balafon, Djembe, Doundoun, Ngoni

Teacher - African music & culture; traditional storyteller; songwriter; singer; arranger; dancer; producer.

Trained Costume Tailor/Maker. Instrument craftsman.

Taught at: LA’s Best (LAUSD After School Enrichment Prog.) SMC; Cal State Long Beach; Motherland Music.

Mentor with Alliance for California Traditional Arts.

Professional Career Highlights include:

- Performer in Ballet Djolem (National Dance Company of Côte D’Ivoire).

- Traditional music and dance groups (Behbalone, Kobake, Futa Toru and Dafra) toured throughout USA and internationally. Thousands of live performances.

- Recordings included Black Panther soundtrack.

Born and raised in Burkina Faso.

Languages: French, English, Dioulasso, Bambara, some Spanish and Korean.

MFA in Choreographic Inquiry from UCLA.

Master Dancer and Choreographer (traditional African and modern dance),

Composer and Drummer (Djembe and DunDun) .

Teaching credits include:

Lecturer UCLA Depts of World Arts and Culture/Dance (West African dance) 2009-2018. Also ongoing teaching for various UCLA programs; American Music & Drama Academy, Chadwick MS, Santa Monica College, ArtworxLA, Harvard Westlake, Oakwood MS, Fullerton School District, LA’s Best and many other schools.

Professional credits include: Performing as dancer and choreographer all over the world, including the Hollywood Bowl, The Broad Stage, Ford Amphitheatre, Bowers Museum, Heidi Druckler Dance Theater, Redcat studio, and The Barbican.

Artistic Director - Souly Dance Arts, Dafra Dance and Drum, World Sacred Music Festival, Baker-Tarpaga Dance Project (Assoc. Dir).

Born and raised in Senegal.

6th generation Jali or griot (traditional historian, genealogist and storyteller) Fulani drummer, composer, choreographer and actor.

Malik speaks 9 (!) languages fluently and first came to the US to obtain his masters degree in Chemical Engineering.

His professional resume includes:

Member of Les Ballets Africains – which brought West African drum and dance to international attention.

Lead drummer Ballet d’Afrique Noire.

Musical Director of the National Ballet of Senegal for 10 years

Malik has performed, choreographed and taught across the globe at all levels. With many decades of teaching experience under his belt, Malik currently teaches at schools and colleges across LA and Orange counties.

Born Central African Republic and raised in Paris.

Languages: French, English , Gbaya, Banda.

Master Dancer and Choreographer

Aimée has a degree in Phil & Lang. from Univ. de Paris XII and a BA in Performing Arts from St. Mary’s College of California.

Professional career highlights include:

Fela on Broadway and touring worldwide

Astaire Award -Outstanding dancer In a Broadway Show

Forces of Nature Dance Theater (NYC)

Teaching experience includes: Lecturer at UCLA Depts of World Arts and Culture/Dance (West African dance). Aimée continues to teach at schools and colleges throughout Los Angeles.

Born and raised in Guinea

Languages - English, French, SouSou, Malinke, Fula

Master Musician and Instrument Maker - Djembe, Doundoun, Tama, Kora

Professional career highlights:

Lead drummer with Merveilles de Guinee (national dance and drum company of Guinea)

Lead drummer for Drum Cafe - US based team building organization

Resident musician: UCLA, World Arts & Culture; SMC

Resident traditional performer at Disney World and Universal Studios

Performed throughout the US including Lincoln Center, Central Park Summerstage, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall,The Hollywood Bowl, Ford Amphitheater and the Kennedy Center.

Session work with Stevie Wonder, Mark Mothersbaugh and for the soundtrack of Black Panther

Featured performer in Kanye West music video "Love Lockdown" and national commercials

Teaching experience includes : Ifetayo Cultural Center, Motherland Music, SMC, UCLA, private lessons

Mentor with Alliance for California Traditional Arts