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Alanouwoly Salifou Sylla

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Teaching African Music & Dance


"I feel energetic and alert, empowered in mind and body. That's what playing the drums can do for you" - Lynsey Hanley, the Guardian
African Music has a great role in promoting the diversity we actually see in education. We aim to promote learning, understanding and the enjoyment of each other's cultures. We want to convey West-African and, in particular, Guinean culture with dignity and respect.

African Mucic classes are, in their essence, unifying. Emotional, rational and physical aspects are all stimulated. The classes are both relaxing and good exercise at the same time.

History and knowledge is traditionally taught through story telling combined with musical performance and, today, we call this a multi-disciplinary approach.

The expressiveness and unifying "wholeness" of the drum class experience can be of great benefit to European culture, which has excelled more in introspection, dissection and competition, leaving some individuals stranded and lost.

African culture is, by its very nature, inclusive and workshops can be geared towards families, a wide range of age groups and, by prior arrangement towards those with special needs. Drum workshops are now becoming popular with companies on team building missions or holding major events and celebrations.

We want to continue the work Salifou started and musicians he worked with during his time here have volunteered to teach and give a percentage of their earnings to the House Project in Guinea. Everybody working with us will be CRB checked and have public liability insurance and we can offer one-off workshops to longer courses with set goals and maybe a final performance with authentic costumes in:

  • Schools: Nursery to A-level
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Special Needs (by prior arrangement)
  • Community centres
  • Family classes - for the whole family together
  • Individual tuition
  • Prisons
  • Corporate events and teambuilding exercises

Workshop Content
Rhythms of varying complexity from many West African cultures taught using:

  • Djembe (lead drum and support drum)
  • Dundun (bass drum, 3 different sizes, i.e. tones
  • Kririn (wooden slit drum)
  • Various small instruments like shakers
  • Dance
  • Singing

Instruments can be supplied
If you are interested or require further information, please contact us via any of the methods listed.


Nansady Keita

association-diadia

Joliba Drum School

Master Compo

Mbilla Arts

Batafon Arts

Drum Cafe

Seckou Keita

Jamo Jamo
Email salifousylla@googlemail.com    © Alanouwoly Salifou Sylla 2009