IVORY COAST


Vado Diomande has danced since the age of four,
acquiring the over sixty different regional dance and drumming traditions
of his native Ivory Coast, as well as other nearby West African countries.
 In 1989 he established L’Ensemble Kotchegna D’Abidjan,
which has resided in the United States as the Kotchegna Dance Company since 1994.
He continues to strengthen his experience
as a choreographer, artistic director, teacher and performer.
For more info, please visit www.Kotchegna.com

Adama Dembele has been playing African Music since he was 5 years old. Born into a family of musicians and healers,
Adama was destined to share magic of the djembe in far corners of the earth! He is a 33^rd generation djembe player.
Since age 14, Adama has been teaching children and building community , sharing knowledge of his Mande ancestors .
His travels have brought him all over Africa, to Europe and already around the United States teaching and performing since 2005.
Presently, Adama is Asheville's one and only resident West African Drum performer and teacher.

GUINEE

Mamady Sanois a dynamic danceteacher, musician and choreographer from Guinea, West Africa! 
He is the son of world-reknown choreographer, Mohamed Kemoko Sano (may his soul rest in peace),
who toured the world with groups such as Les Ballets Africaines, Ballet Djoliba and Les Merveilles D'Afrique. 
Mamady has been dancing and drumming since he was a child.  His quick feet and amazing improvizations
has earned him recognition as one of Guinea's most popular male dancers,
and one of the most requested Guinea-style dance instructors residing in the United States! 
For more information on Mamady's projects, visit www.myspace.com/mamadysano.


MALAWI

Masankho Banda, a native of Malawi is an International PeaceBuilder, Educator, InterPlay Leader and Healer
who resides in Oakland, California. His work with UCanDanc’ African Healing Arts Institute for PeaceBuilding & Bodywisdom Inc.
has taken him to Europe, Africa, Asia and all over the US. He has worked with world leaders, students, children in all different arenas of life.
He has a BA in Theater and Dance and an MA in Culture and Spirituality and is the recipient of the "Unsung Hero's of Compassion" award
from his Holiness the Dalai Lama. MASNKHO will be leading the childrens program at  this year's camp.

CONGO

Originating from the Congo (Brazzaville), Titos Sompa is a charismatic and extraordinarily gifted performing artist, teacher, and healer.
Mr. Sompa utilizes his multiple talents to make known and keep alive Congolese musical and culturaltraditions that offer healing,
spiritual grounding, and affirming community to the Western world. 
Please visit Titos' website www.Mbongivillage.org

Biza Sompa began his dance-choreography career with the Ballet Damar and the Congolese National Dance Company in Brazzaville, Congo.
He toured extensively throughout France, Belgium and Germany with Congolese dance troupes based in Paris. Currently, he is a dance instructor
and founder of Bichini Bia Congo Dance Theatre. In addition to teaching, Biza, along with his dance troupe,
travel to elementary and high schools throughout the country using Congolese/African dance
as a cultural learning tool to educate and motivate young children.

Bichini Bia Congo Dance Theater CompanyPhone: (734) 604-5483  
Email: bichinibiacongo@yahoo.com; bizasompa27@yahoo.com
website: www.bichinibiacongo.com