Dancing … Love Stories
In Partnership with StoryCorps
Cumbe partnered with StoryCorps, a story archiving organization, to document the journeys, feelings, thoughts and movement of African Dance within the community at Cumbe. From long time dancers to world renown choreographers, our community is diverse and filled with so much love and joy around dance. Listen to their stories below.
Lynda Lee & Patricia Peticolas
Falling in Love with African Dance
Lynda Lee and Patricia Peticolas are long time devotees of West African dance. They share their journeys to discovering and eventually falling in love with an art form that speaks to the powerful and important moments in their lives.
Natasha Calixte & Kendra J. Ross
Discovering Myself In Dance
Cumbe employees, fans and instructors Natasha Calixte and Kendra J. Ross laugh and muse over the times they realized they loved to dance. They remember the times they fell upon African dance.
Marnita Billups
Dance Is My Healing Medium
Cumbe co-founder Jimena Martinez and long time Cumbe student, employee and instructor, Marnita Billups talk about the ways in which dance is transformative. Marnita discovers that she can integrate mental health practices and dance.
Jimena Martinez
African Dance Moves Me
Cumbe co-founder Jimena Martinez and long time Cumbe student, employee and instructor, Marnita Billups talk about the ways in which dance is transformative. Jimena finds that African dance is energizing, liberation and unifying.
Esther Grant
Finding My Identity in African Dance
Iconic West African dance teacher and choreographer Esther Grant chats with long time mentee choreographer Kim Holmes on a wide range of topics. They journey from the beginnings to the way dance makes them feel. Esther finds ancestral connection in the movement.
Kim Holmes
Sankofa: Looking Back At the Pioneers
World renown House dancer and choreographer, Kim Holmes sits with her mentor, choreographer Esther Grant to talk on a wide range of topics, including their thoughts about contemporary African dance styles. Kim celebrates the pioneers and taps the newbies.