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Advance your skills in powerful West African djembe and dundun drumming with Vado Diomande in an intermediate level class. Move into a new relationship with the many parts of djembe, dundun, songba and kenkene with complex rhythms and patterns that now focus on serving the dancer. After learning accompaniment to Kookoo, Temate, Katana, Bolohi, N'Goron and more, discover how to communicate with and follow dancers, guiding them with the rhythms to synchronize and inspire the dynamic dancing of Ivory Coast. This exciting challenge expands the soul of the drummer, enabling them to merge with the dancers, elevating everyone's experience. Unique in being in service to the dancers, Vado teaches how Ivory Coast drumming takes on depth and meaning beyond the intricate patterns and sounds of the drums.

Vado has danced since the age of four, learning the dance and drum traditions of his Mahouka people. At an early age, he was initiated into becoming the keeper of the sacred mask dance on stilts, Gue-Pelou. This distinction brought him to the Ballet National de Cote d'Ivoire, where he became a principal dancer for more than 15 years. Vado learned over 60 ethnic dance and drumming traditions from the Ivory Coast and other West African countries. His repertoire elevated his career to eventually choreographing and touring extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. In 1989 he established L'Ensemble Kokiegna d'Abidjan, which has resided in New York City as the Kotchegna Dance Company since 1994. In Vado’s native language Mahou, ’kotchegna’ means messenger. His troupe’s goal is to inspire joy and understanding through the power of dance and drum, promoting the exchange of culture worldwide. He continues to strengthen his experience as a choreographer, artistic director, teacher and performer. He also takes part in many educational programs for children in New York City schools and beyond. For more information, go to www.kotchegna.com.