 Dynamic, exhilarating, awakening. These are some of the words used to describe the music and dance of NIMBAYA!. The artists hail from Guinea, a country in West Africa’s Sub-Saharan region. They are practitioners of their nation’s traditional musical arts. NIMBAYA! includes beautiful and strong women who love to share their passion for their instruments. The women emanate a graceful proficiency that clearly differs from the masculine drumming style. They play instruments that have traditionally been denied them due to antiquated cultural mores. In doing so, they ‘demystify’ the djembe as an instrument historically reserved for male players. Through their powerful, energetic and grandiose spectacle, NIMBAYA hopes to bridge cultural gaps through a spirit of celebration and music. The artists in the ensemble are curators of Guinea’s cultural traditions and the music to which those traditions are connected. It is the responsibility of women in Guinea to educate their children and thus, to assure that the next generation maintains the authenticity and purity of West African musical traditions. The women of NIMBAYA are reaching out to students throughout the world. By exposing students to the beauty of West African music and dance, NIMBAYA is sharing a connection to a cultural history that as existed since the beginning of humanity.
Residency  During a one-week residency, members of NIMBAYA will come to your school to teach drumming and/or dance. The residency culminates with a student performance. Drums are provided. The women will work with up to four classes per day per artist. During each class period, the drum students learn the music to accompany the dance students. Toward the end of the week, the students come together to combine the drumming and dance, and rehearse for their final performance. Residency Space Requirements The NIMBAYA residency requires a minimum of two spaces for a two artists program; one for the drum students in which chairs can be placed in a large circle, and one space suitable for dance. In addition a space for the final performance is required. Performance NIMBAYA will come to your school for a 45 minute performance/demonstration. During the performance, the students will learn about the various instruments used to create the music, a dance step or two and a song. In addition, they will enjoy a high energy presentation of musical traditions that have existed since the dawn of humanity. Performances are given during morning or afternoon hours. The artists require a stage or dance surface safe and suitable for moving in bare feet.
 Day Workshop or Clinic
NIMBAYA will come to your school for a day of workshops designed to expose students to the beauty of West African musical traditions. Schools may select drumming, dance or both. Bookings If you would like additional information on this once in a lifetime experience for your students, or if you would like to reserve a residency or performance date, please contact us at: |