Event box
African Drumming and Dancing In-Person
Join us for one or all the drumming and dancing nights! June 17, July 15, Aug 19, and Sept 16. Sign up for each individually. All ages welcome, but children 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Participants will learn a specific Guinean rhythm and get the opportunity to learn various foundational techniques and skills for playing the Djembe in harmony and beat with one another. The second half of the class will be learning the dance rhythm associated to the drum rhythm learned. This is accompanied by live drumming where participants get to experience how the drumming and dance play together. The classes are a full body, mind and heart experience that focuses on left and right brain activities as well as connection to community and a deeper understanding of Guinean arts. Song is also incorporated!
Etienne Tolno is a professional musician from Guinea, West Africa. His area of expertise is in percussion but also dance and song! He has been a practicing music since he was sixteen years old, playing with various professional companies such as Sole Africa, Kissidugu Ensemble, Samato De Guinea, Africa Dance, and Merve De Guinea. He came to the United States for the first time in March of 2019. Since his arrival he has been performing and teaching for conferences, workshops, events and also school residency programs! He currently resides in Montrose, CO with his wife and three children and is putting large efforts towards building the West African Drum and Dance education and exposure in South West Colorado as well as traveling throughout the country with Kissidugu Foundation spreading their mission. As a member of the Kissidugu Foundation and younger brother to world renowned artist and founder Gabriel Fara Tolno, Etienne is deeply committed to the cultural preservation and the perpetuation of Guinean music and culture.