MEET YOUR TEACHERS

Youssouf Koumbassa

Youssouf was born in Conakry, Guinea. He was a principle dancer with Ballets Djoliba, one of Guinea's most important national dance companies, for 13 years, training and touring extensively throughout the world.

Guinea

Djeneba Sako

Born in Bamako, Mali, Djeneba Sako began her journey with dance and music at the young age of 5. She started dancing professionally at age 11 with the In July 2002 she had arrived in the USA. She is now one of only three Malian dance teachers here in the US, of which she is the only woman. Bienal District Troupe.

Mali

Senegal

Awa Pikine

Awa Pikine is a renowned, internationally acclaimed Senegalese dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Awa was a principal dancer for two of Senegal's most celebrated dance companies: the National Ballet of Senegal and Waato Sita. Awa is highly sought after as a guest artist for major cultural events.

Ivory Coast

Barakissa Coulibaly

Barakissa is a West African dancer and choreographer from Abobo, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. She started her career in traditional African dance in 1990 with “Fotemogoban”. In fall 2012, she traveled to the United States to choreograph for the University of Florida - Gainesville. Barakissa Coulibaly is a member of the CID at UNESCO The International Dance Council.

Fode Bangoura

Born in Conakry, Guinea, Fodé Bangoura has been recognized internationally for his work as the lead drummer with the acclaimed ensembles “Les Merveilles de Guinée”. In 2007 Fodé Cofounded Duniya Drum & Dance Company and began the Fakoly Dance and Drum Project, an annual drum and dance conference held in Minneapolis, MN.

Guinea

Fode Camara

Fodé Moussa Camara, master drummer, percussionist, folklorist, choreographer, exemplifies the new generation in the preservation of West African traditions and the influence of these traditions on the world. Born into an artistic family in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa, Camara honors his family and heritage through his expression of Guinea’s musical traditions and culture.

Guinea

Amo Soumah

Amo was born and raised in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa. He hails Gbassikolo Drum and Dance Company. Since arriving in the United States in 2006, he has been a well sought after performer. At University of Florida, Amo is Adjunct Lecturer and Musical Director of AGBEDIDI in the School of Theatre and Dance.

Guinea

Keisha Bridgeman

Keisha Bridgeman is the Founder of SocaFit USA®, a Caribbean carnival style fitness class here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bridgeman’s mission is to encourage, motivate and create a positive environment for every student that attends class, allowing students to push themselves, find comfort in their bodies movement, and love themselves through it all.

SocaFit

Line Dancing

Black line dancing is a rich intergenerational tradition rooted in African and Caribbean heritage that serves as a powerful expression of community, joy and resistance.

Letasha Williams

Kya, Khadi, Kneeshay

In honor of Mama Kadiatou Conte, theTrio Class is taught every year in order to preserve Mama K’s legacy. This class is offered free to the public to attend and celebrate the contributions that Mama K has made to the dance community.

TRIO Tribute Class

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

7p - 8:30p: Fode Bangoura/Djembe
6p - 6:45p: Keisha B./Socafit
7p - 7:15p: Warmup
7:15p - 7:50p: Kya/Senegal
7:55p - 8:30p: Khadi/
8:35p - 9:10p: Kneeshay/Guinea
9:10p - 9:30p: Bantaba/Cooldown
10a - 11:30a: Youssouf Koumbassa/Guinea
11:45a - 1:15p: Awa Pikine/Senegal
1:30p - 2:30p: Letasha Williams/Line Dance
1:30p - 2:30p: Fode Camara/Djembe
2:45p - 4:15p: Djeneba Sako/Mali
10a - 11:30a: Djeneba Sako/Mali
11:45a - 1:15p: Barakissa Coulibaly/Ivory Coast
1:30p - 2:30p: Amo Soumah/Dun Dance
2:45p - 4:15p: Awa Pikine/Senegal
4:30p - 6p: Youssouf Koumbassa/Guinea
INITIATION is a West African dance and drum theater experience that follows two sisters through a transformative passage from girlhood to womanhood. The show starts at 8p.

REGISTER FOR CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

Meet Rhythm & Rootz Festival Leaders

CHENOA BROWN PIERRE

Dancing Your Rootz Leader

Chenoa Brown Pierre is a professional West African dancer with over 30 years of dance experience, professionally performing West African dance since 2004. She is an alumna of The Forces of Nature Dance Theater, the acclaimed NYC-based company known for its fusion of African, modern, and hip-hop dance traditions. Currently, she performs with SHAE Movement, continuing to bring the rhythm, culture, and storytelling of West African dance to audiences today.

Ratisha Farmer

Crafted in Culture Leader

Ratisha aka Tish, a homeschool mom, community builder, and founder of the Community Homeschoolers Field Trip Crew. She enjoys working with children, bringing out their creativity, and creating meaningful experiences. She is all about family, creativity, community, and walking in her purpose by doing so!

Sakhen Ari

Kai Rasby

Rhythm Makerz Leader

Rhythm Makerz Leader

CONFERENCE LOCATION:

Bonnie Cone Classical Academy

10700 Asbury Chapel Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

CONCERT PERFORMANCE

PURCHASE CONCERT TICKETS

INITIATION

A West African Dance & Drum Theater Experience

What does it mean to become a woman?

INITIATION is a West African dance and drum theater experience that follows two sisters through a transformative passage from girlhood to womanhood.

Guided by THEIR mother and surrounded by community, They encounter —each revealing another layer of their becoming. At the center of their journey is Spirit, a mysterious ancestral presence who ushers the ancestors into the space and guides the transition between worlds.

Through live drumming, movement, spoken word, and theatrical storytelling, INITIATION explores the beauty of African cultural traditions while connecting them to the African American experience.

This is not a story of what was lost.

It is a story of what remained.

A mother releases her daughters.

Her daughters discover their power.

A community witnesses their becoming.

And the ancestors remind them:

You have never walked alone.

They enter as daughters.

They return as women.