$18
With Live Drumming
Learn Djembe dance with the iconic master teacher Marie Basse-Wiles, one of the first Senegalese dancers to teach West African dance in New York City. Marie Basse will take students of all levels through the rhythms and steps of the Djembe styles from the Khasonke people of Mali. Djembe dance can be high energy and lots of fun. Marie Basse teaches for whomever is in the room, from beginners to advanced. She will begin the class with stretching and a warm up then segway into teaching a variety of steps, highlighting the history and meaning of the movement for the ethnic group from which the dance originates. Then she will teach Djembe movement at a slow pace so students can understand the nuances of each movement. Thereafter she’ll speed it up with across the floor practice. Students will then share what they learned with their peers in a dance circle. 

Marie Basse-Wiles was born in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa and is the granddaughter of Bambara singer and dancer Maimouna Keita. Marie began her professional career at the age of 9 and began teaching at the age of 12 as a member of the Ballet National of Senegal. Her professional accomplishments include resident work with Kinne N'Diaye Rose, daughter of master drummer Dou Dou N'Diaye Rose, and Papa Dougoufana Traore. She has also worked with renowned choreographers Mamadou N'Diaye, Demba Diallo, Oumy Sene and Raymon Sylla. Her international touring experience includes performances with the Ballet National of Senegal and Koumpo Dance Company, under the direction of Ibrahima Camara. She has won numerous awards for her commitment to the community and accomplishments in dance. She has also created numerous ballets throughout her career, as well as a piece for The Center For Traditional Music and Dance "Bedenya 97" Festival that is archived at the New York Public Library's Performing Arts Library.