$20

Cumbe is excited to welcome Master Guinean teacher and dancer Youssouf Koumbassa. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn the fun, playful and seductive dances of Guinea from one of the best & most beloved West African dance teachers in the U.S.! Explore traditional dances such as Yankadi — a slow and mellow social dance, Macru  — a fast and furious but joyful dance, Kuku - a communal recreational dance, and Doundounba - dance of the strong men. The classes begin with a warm up, including isolations and stretching. Choreography follows the warm up, and is introduced first without music, and then with drumming. The movements are then taken across the floor where new rhythms introduced. Class concludes with a "bantaba," where students will be given the opportunity to express their individuality and/or display steps and movements learned in class. Youssouf Koumbassa is visiting NYC for a short time so catch him while you can!

Youssouf Koumbassa is a former artist of Ballet Djoliba, the National Ballet of Guinea. Born and raised in Guinea, Youssouf began dancing at the age of six by studying and emulating the members of the National Ballet and leading dancers of many local and regional dance companies. Youssouf developed his talents as a dancer, musician and choreographer by studying under Sekouba Camara, the Artistic director of Ballet National Djoliba. He has also worked with Kemoko Sano, the acclaimed Artistic Director of Les Ballets Africains. 

In his 13 years with the Ballet National, Youssouf traveled extensively throughout West Africa, Japan, Bangladesh, India, Holland, Hungary, Russia, Korea, Libya, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Since moving to the United States 22 years ago, Youssouf has established himself as the pre-eminent teacher of dance from Guinea. He now travels throughout the world as a much sought after master teacher at dance conferences, workshops, camps and schools connecting with students who are appreciative of his mercurial energy and grace.