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Class begins with a warm-up that is designed to improve flexibility, strengthen the core, improve stamina, and get acquainted with West African music. The second part of the class starts with a brief history and context of the dances (that will inform your execution of the movements) and continues with an extensive breakdown of technique. Then, you’ll practice what you’ve learned in repetition.

Tamara Jones is a dancer and choreographer in New York. She has been a member of several dance companies including Harambee Dance Company and Umoja Dance Company. Throughout her dance career, Tamara has had the opportunity to perform on many stages and venues, including Symphony Space, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Essence Magazine Events, Summer Stage, the International African Arts Street Festival, New Jersey Performing Arts Center NJPAC and Broadway Dance Center’s Tribute to Savion Glover. She also choreographed Jona Briddle for “The Jonah Show,” a tribute to Hip Hop pioneer and Brickhouse Studios founder Kelly Peters at Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theatre. Yearly, as a part of Nabisco’s Black History Program, Tamara teaches an Afrobeats and African dance class to employees to help celebrate African culture.