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 is a philosophy, a way of life and now a line of clothing for those who live to dance and dance to live. Dancing keeps the spirit young and alive at any age. Abdoulaye’s grandmother was still dancing at the age of one hundred years ! |
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 In African culture and many others as well the drum and the dance are interconnected such that one does not exist without the other. In African dance class we say “Let the drums dance you.” Hence many have come to embrace Drum or Die ! with the same conviction. It too is a philosophy, a way of life and a line of drum wear for drum aficionados. |
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Abdoulaye Camara, renowned master dancer and native of Guinea, West Africa comes from a long line of dancers and musicians. Like many from his village he began singing, playing, and dancing at an early age. Later he moved to Gambia where he formed his own dance company “Allatantou Ballet.” Abdoulaye is not only a world-class dancer and choreographer but an experienced teacher who has worked wonders with students of all ages. He has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Hawaii, Canada, Europe, and Australia presenting workshops and performances. In addition to his instructional dance video, Abdoulaye was also featured in a Swedish made documentary of his life in the Nordic tundra entitled “Trumkungen.” |
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Nikola Clay, Abdoulaye’s creative partner and longtime student has been promoting African culture through music and dance for over a decade. Driven by the soul stirring rhythms of the African drum Nikola began to seek a mentor in African dance. The search ended in Sweden where she met Abdoulaye Camara who was conducting workshops there during the summer of 1992. Since then she has assisted in bringing her teacher to the U.S. annually to share his talents with many. In addition to West African Dance, Nikola teaches international folk dancing to children and adults of all ages, which is her way of promoting world peace. |
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Jason Hann, highly sought after international percussionist has toured and recorded throughout the world with many great artists including the legendary Isaac Hayes. Under the tutelage of Lamine Dibo Camara, Jason quickly mastered the West African instruments used to accompany the numerous dances. His “Guinee Fare” and “Yamama” CD‘s are both collections of West African dance rhythms played on traditional instruments. His latest creative effort “Djembe Furia”, a biographical collection of original percussion pieces is a masterpiece. |
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