Rujeko Dumbutshena is a Zimbabwean-born dancer, educator, and performer specializing in neo-traditional and contemporary African dance. A 2022 Global Fellow and Assistant Professor at UF, her work explores gender, power, and ritual. A Broadway original in FELA!, Rujeko’s artistry has reached stages from the Smithsonian to global festivals. With 20+ years of teaching, she continues to shape the future of African dance in the Diaspora.

Youssouf Koumbassa is a world-renowned master of Guinea-style African dance, former principal artist of Ballet Djoliba, and student of legends like Sekouba Camara and Kemoko Sano. With over 13 years in Guinea’s top national companies and international tours across 15+ countries, Youssouf brings unmatched expertise, cultural depth, and passion to every class. Now based in the U.S., he continues to uplift, teach, and inspire dancers around the globe.

Babacar M’Baye, born in Dakar, Senegal, is a master Sabar dancer and teacher from a renowned griot family. Trained from childhood, he performs with his family’s ensemble, Sing Sing Rhythms. Since moving to the U.S. in 1994, he has taught and performed across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe at venues like Lincoln Center, the Apollo, and the UN. Babacar also teaches weekly at Alvin Ailey, sharing the powerful rhythms and spirit of Senegal with the world.

Kelly S. White is a dynamic master teacher, performer, and choreographer from New Orleans, LA. With a BFA in Dance and an MA from NYU, she has trained under legends like Jean Leon Destiné and Nia Love. Kelly has performed with top companies and graced stages from Jacob’s Pillow to New Waves Trinidad. Her powerful choreography and passionate teaching have inspired dancers at Alvin Ailey, NOCCA, Djoniba Dance Center, and beyond.

Ismael Kouyate was born in Guinea, West Africa to a long line of ‘Griots’, the oral historians that preserve the history and culture of Africa through songs, stories, music and dance. He began dancing professionally at the age of 12, when he was recruited by Les Percussions de Guinee’ to perform in their international tour. Upon his return in 2004, he joined Ballets Africains, the National Dance Company of Guinea. From his performances on this tour, he was contracted by the team of Fela! to serve as a Master Choreographer. His talent and skills landed him a principle role in the play.

Ismael toured with Fela! from its humble off-Broadway roots in 2008 through its final international tours. He is the subject of a CNN special on Africa in America where his class of over 100 people ecstatically learned and modeled his movements, while speaking of their excitement to study from this legend of Guinea, many of whom had heard of him in their travels abroad.  He has also been in the studio with Beyonce, adding his amazing vocals.

Aboubacar “Amo” Soumah is a master djembe drummer from Conakry, Guinea, and former director of the renowned Gbassikolo Drum and Dance Company. Since arriving in the U.S. in 2006, he has performed with top African drum and dance ensembles nationwide. Now based in Gainesville, FL, Amo serves as Musical Director of Agbedidi and Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Florida, sharing his deep-rooted rhythm and cultural expertise with students and communities across the country.

Nko Fallou Fall is a master drummer, dancer, singer, and choreographer from Senegal, and founder of Troupe Fall West Afrikan Drum and Dance. Rooted in his rich musical heritage since childhood, Fallou has performed and choreographed across the U.S. for DanceAfrica, Delou Africa, ACDT, and universities nationwide. His electrifying presence and cultural mastery continue to uplift and inspire communities through rhythm, movement, and spirit.

Dr. R. Khari Clemmons (Baba Bankọ́lé) is a bàtá drummer, ceremonial singer, cultural educator, and linguist whose work bridges Africana performance traditions, community practice, and academic scholarship. His journey in West African percussion began in 1991 at Penn State, as a member of Nommo Performing Arts under Myrna Munchus-Bullock. After relocating to Tallahassee, Fl., he performed with the Tallahassee Drummers Alliance, FAMU’s Orchesis Contemporary Dance Theater, and Dromatala, and later serving as Musical Director of the ACDT for two years under the direction of Marcus Robinson.

Following a move to Philadelphia, Dr. Clemmons continued his work as a dance accompanist and musician, serving as Musical Director for Troup Dada African Drum and Dance Ensemble. In 2003, he began intensive study of bàtá drumming, training primarily under master drummers Al Okikilu Hardy and Chuckie Joseph. In 2012, he was formally initiated into the Aña drum society. A bàtálẹ́rò and accomplished Òrìṣà ceremonial singer of more than 25 years, Baba Bankọ́lé is widely respected for his knowledge of liturgy, rhythm, and the cultural context of sacred drumming traditions.

Moha master percussionist and composer, hailing from Senegal, he has performed with legends like Stevie Wonder, Angelique Kidjo, Earth Wind & Fire, and Youssou N’Dour. Sponsored by Latin Percussion, Magatte has graced stages from Carnegie Hall to global festivals, inspiring audiences with powerful rhythms rooted in tradition and excellence.

Aboubacar “Baba Abou” Camara is a master griot and tryi balafon virtuoso from Conakry, Guinea. A former director with Guinea’s National Ballet and artist with the National Ballet of Senegal, his musical mastery has graced stages across West Africa and the U.S. Since 2000, he’s performed with top African dance ensembles and now serves as an accompanist at the University of Florida. Baba Abou’s artistry preserves tradition while inspiring generations through rhythm and story.

Adama Tall is a 33-year-old master of the dundun, djembe, and talking drums from Senegal. With over 15 years of experience, he has performed nationwide, including DanceAfrica 2021, Delou Africa, and cities like NYC, Boston, and Tallahassee. Passionate about unity through rhythm, Adama uses his drumming to bridge the cultural divide and bring healing across the African diaspora.

Osubi Craig is a distinguished arts administrator, educator, and traditional African percussionist. Serving as the inaugural Director of the Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida, he champions cultural innovation and community engagement. A proud alumnus of Florida A&M University, Osubi seamlessly blends his engineering background with a passion for the arts, fostering transformative programs that bridge diverse communities.

Fodé Moussa Camara, master drummer, percussionist, folklorist, choreographer. Born into an artistic family in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa, Camara honors his family and heritage through his expression of Guinea’s musical traditions and culture.

His musical talent was discovered at the age of five, when he began his formal training with the djembe, dunun, sangban, and kenkeni orchestra. He was called a prodigy by his teachers and he became the musical director of Gbassikolo, an African Ballet owned by his father Djibril Morlaye Camara, and lead drummer of the company Fatouabou Percussion from 1997 to 1999.

In 2002, Camara began serving as musical director for Kadiatou Conté Forte, artistic director of Balafon West African Drum and Dance. In 2004, Camara was musical director for Borenya West African Drum and Dance Company.  In 2009, Camara started his own company, Wona Womalan West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, located in Charleston SC.

He has taught at Georgetown University, American University, Howard University, University of Maryland, University of Florida, and University of South Carolina and has worked with a large number of performance ensembles.Camara tours extensively in Africa, Europe, North America, South America, China, and Australia as an instructor, choreographer, and guest artist.

Namory Keita was born in Sangbarala, Guinea, and has been the lead djembefola for the village since 2006.  He grew up drumming with his family and friends, including Nansady Keita and Solo Keita, and has studied and worked with his uncle, djembe-master Famoudou Konate as well.  Namory has recorded CDs with Billy Konate and Diarra Konate, and has helped documentary film-makers to understand the life and music of Sangbarala and the Hamana region of Guinea. Namory is known for his love of his village, his respect for traditional music, and his infectious joy of life.  The fact that he’s a fabulous djembefola, generous teacher, and gracious host only adds to his charms. Namory Start working with The Akwaaba Ensemble in 2012.

Akin is a master drummer with lifelong experience in music and dance. He learned Conga, Shekere, Djembe, various percussion instruments, and multiple cultural vocal traditions by observing and studying with community drummers and singers. His performance history includes groups such as Dromatala, ACDT, ADARC, Ballet Abaraka, and the Royal Ethiopian Community. He later founded TutuOla Cultural Performance Collective, which performed throughout Florida, taught workshops, and recorded an album. From 2013–2015, he performed with Latin Soul as a percussionist.

Akin plays a wide range of musical styles, including Rumba, Afro‑Cuban Orisha music, West African Djembe orchestra, Capoeira music, Brazilian Samba, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, and fusion. After relocating to Pittsburgh in 2017, he founded the Capoeira Association of Pittsburgh in 2018 and continues to teach and perform throughout the community and in schools.