Maria Young was introduced to West African drum and dance in 1994 at City College San Francisco. The rhythms and movement captivated her and she knew she would dedicate her life to the study and teaching of this art form.

Her studies began in Santa Cruz, California. She attended several classes weekly. Eventually she joined a biannual drum and dance gathering named Dunun Village. After a couple of gatherings, she became the primary dance teacher and held several classes daily. After attending 26 gatherings, she founded and directed an immersive West African music and dance camp named Camp Mandeng. She hosted various teachers from Guinea, Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso.

During those 13 years she also taught classes at the YMCA as well as the Parkpoint club in Santa Rosa, Ca. She had a weekly class at Sonoma State University through the Rec. Department and hosted classes at various dance studios and performed at several venues.

She then relocated to her hometown of San Francisco. Over the 15 years she spent there, she not only taught classes at several dance studios, but presented West African drum and dance at schools and assisted living facilities. One of the highlights of those years was presenting at the San Francisco Public Library for Black History month. She also held workshops at places such as the Center SF. While living abroad, she held classes in Tanzania, St Croix, Oregon and Colorado.

Maria now resides in Louisville, Kentucky. She works with an organization called Dreams With Wings. "The Mission of Dreams With Wings is to empower children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism as they recognize their strengths, contribute to their community and pursue their dreams." She also teaches private drum and dance lessons in person as well as dance classes on zoom. Since in Louisville, she has performed at Worldfest, the Humanitarian Awards Ceremony at the Muhammad Ali Center and at the "Church of Assumptions."

Through her teaching and sharing of this rich culture, she wishes to reach as many as possible, with the intention of spreading healing, joy and inspiration.

"I just took Maria's class this Saturday and I have 0 experience with traditional African dance but left feeling uplifted (despite feeling really uncoordinated) and got a great workout.  I highly recommend it!"

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"This West African Dance Class just rocks!!! I have been to group classes, and to small private classes with  Maria. The classes are so super informative, high energy and the live drums kicks it up to another level. I would highly recommend Maria Young for private parties or your dance studio."

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"If you want to feel joyous and inspired then this is the class for you. Maria is a dedicated instructor and does a great job breaking down dance moves into manageable sections. It's such fun you won't even realize that you've done an amazing workout."