West African Dance Masterclass with Abdou Bayefall

Ailey Extension is proud to welcome Abdou Bayefall for a special West African dance masterclass at the Ailey Studios presented by Babacar Mbaye! 

Abdou Bayefall was born in Sènegal. At the age of 17, he was the youngest member of the prestigious dance company Ballet Sinomew.

Abdou appeared on his first international stage in Morocco where he received the nickname "Fils du Ballet," a “godsent child of ballet.” On that stage, he caught the eyes of the famous Senegalese singer Baaba Maal and joined his tour for Ballet Africa 2000 as a dancer in Spain. Throughout the following years, Abdou played three different roles on tour as a dancer, performer, and drummer of Thiakaba. 

In New York, he has performed extensively at venues such as The United Nations, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space, The Florence Gould Hall, The Jewish Heritage Museum, Lincoln Center’s Summer Stage, and Damrosh Park. 

After returning to Sènegal, Abdou joined National Ballet La Linguère, Sènegal’s national dance company, where he worked as a dancer and choreographer for three years.

Abdou has been granted an international license as a dance professor by the Government of Sènegal to teach Djembe Dance, Sabar Dance, Sourouba Dance, Thiakaba, and Coumpo Dance (dance of the Jola tribe).

Abdou performed at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan, which was a significant moment in his career. Following this, he made Japan his primary base of operations and continues to share his talent as both a dancer and drummer, traveling the world to perform and teach masterclasses.