Classes
West African Dance and Drumming
Ages 7–Adult
12:30–1:30pm, Saturdays
Image by Andrew Federman
Class Information
Instructor
Atiya Clarke
Room
Studio 2
Pricing
$440 (tuition assistance available)
In West African Dance, learners will gain a fundamental understanding of the traditional dance styles originating from Western and Sub-Saharan Africa. Learners will explore the polyrhythmic sounds, and polycentric movements - from hip isolations to explosive leaps—that make up the canon of West African dance styles. Learners will also gain an understanding of the social function of West African dance-- to share oral histories, mark rites of passage, and build community-- from Africa, through the transatlantic slave trade and into the present.
About Atiya Clarke
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Atiya Clarke has been dancing since the age of 6 years old. Her training started at Restoration Youth Arts Academy in Bedford Stuyvesant under Ms. Karen Thornton where she was introduced to Guinean dance styles and trained for 3+ years. Over the next few years she was introduced to Tap dance, trained under Adamma Haith, further expanding her knowledge in different dance styles. Though forming a deep love for Tap dance, she realized her love for West African dance was stronger and went on to train in Sabar for the next 7+ years. Under the training of Mama Andara Rahman Ndiaye and Baba Wali Rahman Ndiaye, she learned technique, skills, and wisdom of the Senegalese dance and the Senegalese culture. Atiya has also trained in Modern, Hip Hop and Ballet all while acquiring her Bachelors of Arts in Dance in 2019 from SUNY Potsdam. In 2022, she joined Kofago Dance Ensemble and, within the next year, traveled to Senegal, West Africa to perform in the Niun Ak Yeen festival under the training of Bakary Fall. As an artist, Atiya plans to continue to perform and looks forward to learning all she can to motivate, teach, and inspire others through her gift of dance
General Information