The Teaching Artists

Foluso Mimy

An African American percussionist, educator, and cultural artist originally from Newark, New Jersey. Since beginning his musical journey in 1984, he has dedicated his career to performing, teaching, and studying the musical traditions of the African Diaspora. His extensive travels throughout West Africa, including Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, have allowed him to study with renowned master musicians, singers, and choreographers.

Foluso is a versatile multi-instrumentalist, performing on a wide range of African and Afro-Latino percussion instruments. Since relocating to Seattle in 2019, he has become an active member of the Pacific Northwest arts community, performing with Oni Arts Collective, Djeliyah Band, Adefua Cultural Education Workshop, and Kwetu Band.

A lifelong performer and educator, Foluso holds a Bachelor of Music degree from William Paterson University and remains committed to sharing culture, history, and community through the power of rhythm and music. 

Youssouf Koumbassa

An internationally acclaimed teacher and performer of Guinea-style West African dance. Born in Conakry, Guinea, he spent 13 years as a principal dancer with the renowned Ballets Djoliba, touring and training throughout the world. Now based in the United States, Youssouf shares his passion, artistry, and cultural legacy with dancers and audiences worldwide. 

Alia Traore

A master djembefola (djembe player) from Conakry, Guinea, with roots in the Susu tradition. He began playing djembe at age eight and trained extensively with renowned master musicians before performing with prestigious ensembles including Ballet Tayelly and Ballet National Djoliba. Throughout his career, he has toured internationally across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia, performing with celebrated artists and teaching at respected institutions, including Tam Tam Mandingue Japan. Now based in British Columbia, Alia shares decades of traditional Guinean music knowledge through performance, teaching, and cultural exchange.

Baba Kauna

A master West African dancer, teacher, choreographer, and cultural arts leader with more than 30 years of experience. A founding member of the renowned Kankouran West African Dance Company, he trained extensively under Senegalese master dancer Assane Konte and served as one of the company's principal dancers. He later co-founded Sankofa Dance Theatre, where he spent 16 years as Artistic Director, choreographer, performer, and educator, helping bring West African dance and culture to audiences across the United States. Baba has performed, taught, and trained throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America, and continues to inspire dancers with his deep knowledge, dynamic teaching, and lifelong dedication to the traditions of West African dance.

Mamadi Conde

A Malinké musician from Kankan, Guinea. He started playing percussion at age seven as a self-taught musician and later studied with master drumer Boca Kouyaté, further developing his skills in traditional Guinean music.

Fode Sylla

A dynamic drummer, dancer, acrobat, choreographer, and performance artist from Conakry, Guinea. Recognized for his exceptional talent, he was recruited in 2007 to perform with the renowned UniverSoul Circus, captivating audiences across the United States and internationally with his acrobatic, aerial, and dance performances. He later joined Cavalia Odysseo, performing throughout North America.

Fodé shares his passion for traditional West African arts through teaching and performance, offering classes in drumming, dance, and acrobatics for students of all ages and skill levels. A master drummer and beloved educator, he has taught and performed extensively across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Guinea. Known for his energy, artistry, and commitment to community, Fodé inspires students to embrace their authentic selves while carrying forward the spirit of Wontanara—“we are together."

Manimou Camara

A master drummer, performer, and educator from Guinea, West Africa. His lifelong passion for music began in childhood, inspired by his mother’s traditional songs from the forest region. He began formal djembe training at age 12 under Sekou Deco Sylla and quickly rose through the ranks, continuing his studies with renowned artists including Karamoko Daman. He also performed with leading groups such as Ballet Saamato and Merveille de Guinée.

A highly accomplished musician, Manimou has performed and taught internationally, recorded with master artists, and earned top honors at Guinea’s prestigious National Festival of Percussion and Dance. His unique teaching style blends traditional West African methods with insights from his formal education, helping students deeply understand the connection between rhythm, culture, and movement.

Silvio Dos Reis

A Master lever teacher of CapoeiraAngola, know to his students as Mestre Silvinho. He started the practice of Capoeira in his hometown of Belo Horizonte, Brasil in 1986. He moved to Seattle in 2004 to direct the branch of International Capoeira Angola. Since then, he has been teaching ongoing Capoeira classes at the Union Cultural Center, organizing international conferences, teaching summer camps, and teaching credit classes at University of Washington, Evergreen State College, and Western Washington University. He sees Capoeira as a powerful tool for education, cultivate self-esteem, and develop our critical view of the world.Capoeira promotes interpersonal and social healing through the learning of its fundamentals such as movements, music, history, and philosophy. 

Sekou Fofana

A dynamic percussionist and vocalist from Guinea, West Africa.  Sekou grew up in Conakry and came to the Seattle area in 2016.  He has worked for over 30 years studying, making, and teaching music.  He is a joyous, strong, and energetic artist with a lot to share

N'nato Camara

Acclaimed master dancer, singer, and choreographer originating from Conakry, Guinea, in West Africa. A member of the Susu tribe, she is globally recognized for her dynamic stage presence and deep knowledge of traditional Guinean music and dance 

Awal Alhassan

The founder of Sohoyini West African Dance Company.  He is a dancer and drummer from West Africa of Ghana. Born and raised by a traditional drumming and dancing family, Awal has worked throughout Africa both independently and with some of Ghana’s performance groups such as the Ghana Dance Ensemble, The National Theatre of Ghana, and the Center for National Culture Dance Troupe. In addition to acting as the artistic director and lead dancer of the performance group Sohoyini West African Dance, He teaches ongoing classes, workshops, and residencies regularly throughout the world. 

Abubakari Sheimawu

A master dancer from the West African nation of Ghana. Born and raised by a traditional drumming and dancing family, Sheimawu has worked throughout Africa both independently and with some of Ghana's performance groups such as the Ghana Dance Ensemble, and the Center for National Culture Dance Troupe. Sheimawu was a dance leader of her Mother Group, Tahma Cultural Troupe

Oumar Keita

A musician, vocalist, and cultural educator from Guinea, West Africa, known for his deep knowledge of traditional music and history. Inspired by his mother, he began singing at an early age and developed mastery of traditional instruments including the bolon, ngoni, and gongoma. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of Guinea, Oumar blends traditional and contemporary influences in his performances. A multilingual artist, he sings and performs in Malinke, Susu, and French, bringing authenticity, versatility, and cultural depth to every stage and classroom. 

Ibrahim Sory Sylla

A Guinean percussionist, dancer, and acrobat born into a griot family of master musicians. The son of renowned balafon player Momamdouba Sylla and singer Daloba Diambakaté, he grew up immersed in Guinea’s rich artistic traditions and trained at the Tinafan Centre des Arts Acrobatiques in Conakry under Ibrahim “Maître Bibiel.”

Ibrahim has performed extensively across Africa, Europe, and the United States with acclaimed ensembles including Merveilles de Guinée and Tinafan Centre des Arts Acrobatiques, as well as touring productions such as Cavalia.

He contributes as a performer, percussionist, and artistic director for groups including Denbaya Drum and Dance, Wontanara, and Fefafe. He has performed at major venues and festivals including Lane Community College, the University of Oregon, the Hult Center, and the Oregon Country Fair, sharing his deep-rooted knowledge of West African rhythm, movement, and cultural tradition.

Deise Costa

A Brazilian dance artist, choreographer, and cultural educator from Piauí with over 15 years of experience performing and teaching in Brazil and the United States. Deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian traditions, she is a passionate advocate for preserving and sharing Brazil’s cultural heritage.

She is a student of Rosangela Silvestre and has completed multiple intensive dance residencies in Salvador, Bahia through the Associação Cultural Silvestre Technique. Her training includes mentorship from leading Afro-Brazilian artists and extensive study in both contemporary and traditional forms. She has taught at institutions including Casa SoMovimento and the Ballet Folclórico do Piauí.

Deise has performed in Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival multiple times with samba schools, embodying the passista tradition, and continues to train extensively through samba congresses and mentorship programs. Her work bridges stage performance, community education, and living Afro-Brazilian cultural practice.

Naby Camara

A master balafonist from Kantely, Guinea, born into a griot family of musicians and storytellers. Immersed in traditional music from an early age, he began learning balafon at age seven under the guidance of his older brother, Lanassy Camara. He started performing in traditional celebrations in 1970 and later became the official balafonist for the Fédéral troupe of Conakry. In 1980, he was recruited as a solo balafonist for the renowned Les Ballets Africains de Guinée, where he continued to share his artistry and uphold Guinea’s rich musical heritage.