Abdoulaye Sylla is a gifted master artist from Guinea, West Africa, whose dynamic style captivates children and adults alike. Abdoulaye’s infectious joy in sharing his culture creates a positive context that encourages student learning. A former member of the world-reknowned Les Ballets Africains, Abdoulaye has toured the world, performing and teaching high-energy traditional West African dances, rhythms, and songs. He was a Master Teaching Artist and Master Performing Artist on the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism’s roster for nearly 15 years and is Artistic Director of One World Arts Exchange. He relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2009. Message From Guinea, a folkloric performing group he co-created, is on the 4Culture endorsed performing artist roster.
Students participating in Abdoulaye’s classes develop self-confidence, mastery, discipline, motor skills, listening skills, and learn how to be part of a team while developing an appreciation of the richness of West African culture. The following programs can be tailored to meet the age-appropriate learning needs of any group, from age 3 to 83.
Participatory Presentations/Lecture Demonstrations: Includes performance sampler, instrument explanations, including the “African Telephone”; opportunities for hands-on music and dance participation by students (and sometimes teachers and parents); explanation of aspects of Guinean culture; Susu language demonstration. Longer programs also include teaching a song.
Dance Class: Includes warm-up period, teaching of movements broken down step-by-step and then practicing the movements of an authentic Guinean dance at full speed;cultural explanation of the dance. Live drumming accompaniment, budget permitting. Accompanying songs are taught, time permitting.
Drum Class: Participants learn multiple accompaniments to a Guinean polyrhythm and play together. Cultural information about the rhythm is also imparted. Accompanying songs are taught, time permitting.
Doun-Doun Dance/Sengbe Dance: Fun and challenging, in this class participants learn a rhythm played with sticks on the bass drum, known as the Doun-Doun or Sengbe. Choreographed steps that accompany the rhythm are also taught, and students learn how to dance and drum simultaneously.
Singing Class: Simple songs, many call and response style, are taught in the languages of the ethnic groups who live in Guinea.
Performance: High-energy presentation by Abdoulaye and Message From Guinea of authentic Guinean dance and music, highlighting the traditions of several different ethnic groups.
Residencies: Residencies are individually designed to meet desired learning objectives and can be structured to work with different types of schedules. Typically students will focus on learning a piece and performing it at the end of the residency. Residencies may be several days or several weeks in length. Residencies are available to elementary, middle and high schools.
Teaching Guide: We have developed a teaching guide to assist teachers with linking African dance and drum programs to other curriculum content. Includes exercises appropriate for different age groups.
After School Programs: Any of our programs can be contracted for as an after school series for students of any age.
Rite of Passage Celebrations: Tailored to the need of your organization, often requested by religious organizations and youth development organizations, we will structure a program where participants learn dialogue, choreography, and music and create a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned and be celebrated by their community.
Community Classes: Dance classes, Drum classes, and Doun-Doun/Sengbe Dance classes may be offered on a drop-in or series basis. Drop-in class prices are typically $15/class for adults and $10/class for children.
Parties: We can liven up your child’s birthday party or add cultural tradition to your wedding celebration. Custom performances or participatory activities to suit your celebration.
Collaborations: We are happy to collaborate with artists from other genres. Looking for some drumming to go with your spoken word or puppetry presentation? Want to mix some djembe with your banjo or African movement with your tap? We have had great success with these kinds of collaborations.
Fees range from $150-$3,000 depending on nature and duration of program.
Education in Guinea: One World Arts Exchange operates a computer instruction program in Conakry, (Guinea’s capital city) training youth and adults in basic computer skills, equipping them for better economic futures. We also pay school fees and provide school supplies for a number of children in Guinea. If you would like to find out how you can donate used computer-related equipment, assist with shipping, or sponsor a child’s education (typically about $150/year), please contact us.
