Explore the magic of Guinean cultural arts through music and dance with West African Cultural Arts Institute and inspiring performing artists and dynamic teachers, Alseny Yansane and Andrea DiPalma Yansane.
Residencies and assemblies are carefully designed to educate, entertain and inspire students while integrating academic themes, teaching creative thought processes and team building skills, promoting healthy lifestyles and exposing participants to cultural diversity.
Residencies
Enhance your children’s scholastic experience by enlivening the classroom with hands-on learning taught by professional teaching artists who integrate classroom themes into their creative arts programs to reinforce academic concepts and excite learners! Residency programs are typically two to four weeks long and expose students to the joyful and passionate cultural arts of Guinea, West Africa, through fun and interactive lessons in traditional and contemporary music and dance. Participants learn how to sing in the call and response style, dance energetic movements with group choreography, and play a variety of handmade traditional instruments, including drums and shakers.
WestAfrican Cultural Arts Institute's artists, Alseny Yansane & Andrea DiPalma Yansane, are listed on several Artist in Residence rosters throughout the state of Oregon. To get more details on WACAI’s fabulous residency packages and set up an art residency in your school community, please contact Andrea@WestAfricanCulturalArts.org or call 541.731.1278.
· Integrates academic concepts and classroom themes with music and dance
· Inspires creative approach to learning and problem solving
· Stimulates learners through fun and interactive games and lessons
· Introduces musical concepts, increases music and dance vocabulary, awareness and appreciation
· Enhances team building skills through activities that improve active listening, cooperation and group awareness
· Exposes students to diverse cultures and traditions, expanding world views and acceptance of differences
· Improves health through exercises that strengthen, build physical endurance, increase flexibility and confidence
Assemblies
Let your spirit soar as Alseny Yansane, former artist with the world-renowned Ballets Africains, transports you to his native country of Guinea, West Africa, through traditional music, dance and song. Alseny Yansane is one of the most dynamic acts to be found on the cultural arts scene throughout the Pacific Northwest since his arrival in February 2007. He is joined by his artistic partner, Andrea DiPalma Yansane, who effectively bridges the cultural gap by sharing stories and cultural tidbits learned during her seven-year sojourn in West Africa.
Together, they offer exciting performances that dazzle audiences of all ages with powerful dance movements, melodious songs, exhilarating percussion music and brilliant costumes. These energy-infused performances inspire participants to express themselves creatively, push their physical limitations, take artistic risks and open themselves up to new cultural experiences. With an array of traditional instruments and dances from every geographical region in Guinea represented, spectators are given a unique opportunity to discover the richness and diversity of this art form.
To get more information about WACAI’s assembly program and set one up in your school community, please contact Andrea@WestAfricanCulturalArts.org or call 541.731.1278.