other area artists

Hassimiou Bangoura

2009-01-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

Hassimiou “Chimie” Bangoura is a brilliant and energetic drummer from Guinea, West Africa. Chimie studied with the world renowned drummer, Tonton Soriba Sylla for eight years and has learned the precision of both djembe and doundoun rhythms and techniques. During this time, Chimie worked each year teaching and directing drum classes for foreign students from Germany, Switzerland, Mexico and Holland. After he completed his studies, he performed with Percussion de Boka Jr. and studied under Ibrahima “Boka” Camara. He also drummed for the up and coming ballet Sourakhata and Ballet Torona du Matoto as he continued drumming for International workshops and dance classes. In 2007, Chimie spent a significant amount of time living and working in Senegal where he played with Ballet Bougarabou in Saly Portugal. Chimie was also invited to perform for President Wade at his 2007 Presidential Campaign in downtown Dakar. Chimie moved to the U.S. (in Oct. 2007) and has performed with several local dance and drum companies including Jeh Kulu. Chimie currently lives in Bristol, Vermont with his wife Ashley Bessette. http://hassimioubangoura.blogspot.com/

Demba Sene

2008-08-02T09:38:00.001-07:00

Demba Sene began studying Djembe dance in his home country of Senegal , West Africa at the age of eight. By 16 he was dancing with Goree Mon Historie, a professional company in Dakar , Senegal . He appeared as an actor and dancer in “Goree” a winning film on West African Dance at the Cannes Film Festival. He also won first prize for three consecutive years in the Oscar de Vacances, the largest dance competition in Senegal . He was a member of Foret Sacre, the training ground for the National Ballet for two years before becoming a lead dancer with Le Ballet National du Senegal. He spent three years in Le Ballet National du Senegal touring Japan , Korea , France , Cape Verde , Germany , and the United States . Since coming to the United States Demba has taught and choreographed for a variety of West African Dance companies, Educational institutions, and multi-disciplinary performance groups. He has worked with developmentally disabled adults through Very Special Arts Vermont where he had 14 students perform for the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics. He choreographed and performed an original dance piece that fused traditional Sabar dance with 1920s style jazz for The Spielpalast Cabaret, a touring production which played across the state Vermont and The Burlesque Festival in Brooklyn , NY . He has collaborated with members of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zanes Dance company as a dancer and choreographer in a pilot project under the direction of Bill T. Jones in New York City . Demba has also taught workshops for various professional performing groups including Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater in Vermont, Djoniba Studios and Maimouna Kieta School of African Dance in NYC, Goree Studios in Baltimore MD, Ron Brown Evidence Company in NYC, and Le Cirque du Soleil “O” Production in Las Vegas. For the past four years Demba Sene has worked with Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater providing artistic direction and choreography and has also appeared as a lead dancer with the Maimouna Kieta School of Dance annual conference performance at the Symphony Space in New York City .

Photo By Clement Yonkers

Pape Ba

2008-08-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Elhadji Mamadou Ba/Also known as “Pape Ba,” i s a Master Drummer and Dancer from Senegal, West Africa. He performed with and was one of the leaders of Les Ballets Africaine de Sangomare, a premier African dance troupe in West Africa. Pape Ba is also a dynamic and spirited teacher who has taught dance to people traveling to Senegal in order to learn the traditional music and dance culture of West Africa. Jeh Kulu is lucky to have worked with Pape through our annual conference and educators workshops. He is a talented teacher and choreographer. Pape currently resides in Burlington. See our classes and events page for information on dance classes with Pape Ba in Winooski.

Photo By Hunter Jones

Ibrahima "Thiokho" Diagne

2008-07-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

Thiokho Diagne is a Master Drummer from Senegal, West Africa. Jeh Kulu is fortunate to have worked with Thiokho on several occasions and we are thrilled that he calls Burlington his home. Born into a family of artists, he dedicated his life to the studying drumming very early. He is a multi-talented percussionist who specializes in the Senegalese Sabar drum. Thiokho toured with several artists in West Africa, Europe, the United States, and with Les Ballet National Du Senegal before moving to New York City. He currently and tours internationally as percussionist for four time Grammy nominee, Angelique Kidjo. http://www.kidjo.com/

Thiokho now lives in Vermont with his wife Amelie Thurston Diagne and their baby girl. When not on the road, Thiokho can be seen at area dance classes, occasional Jeh Kulu performances, or teaching Sabar workshops. To find out more about opportunities to study with Thiokho, visit our class listing page, or visit him on the web. http://www.thiokho.com/