Teranga Dance Conference

Ousmane Sall is a master dancer, choreographer, and drummer from Senegal, West Africa. He excels in all of the Senegalese styles of drum and dance and has a particular specialty in the Kutiro rhythms. He was born in Senegal, to a traditional drumming and dance family and was formally trained at the National Dance Academy.

Linda Isabelle François is a Haitian artist, choreographer, dancer who made her dance debut at the age of three. For her, dance is a life passion. In 1980, she began dancing with Kettly Durand before attending the Lavinia Williams School for three years.In 1991, she integrated Artcho, and in 1993, she officially started her professional career.

She learned from great dance professionals such as Jeanguy Saintus, Jean René Delsoin, Gerard Florestal, Lena Blou, Bob Powers, and Kathryn Sullivan. Throughout her many years of professional experience, Linda has trained in classical dance techniques, Latin dance, jazz, traditional Haitian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-contemporary, modern, improvisation, and choreographic composition.

The CEO and Artistic Director of Maimouna Keita African Dance Company, Marie Basse-Wiles was born in Dakar, Senegal in West Africa. The granddaughter of Bambara singer and dancer Maimouna Keita, Marie began her professional career at the age of nine. She began teaching at the age of twelve as a member of the Ballet National of Senegal. Marie's professional accomplishments include resident work with kin N’Diaye Raise.

Mariama Basse was born in Senegal, West Africa. At the age of 15, she began to study Djembe dance with Joe Koli. After several years, she began to dance with a dance company called Goree Mon Histoire. At the age of 22, she auditioned and was accepted into Le Ballet National Du Senegal. She spent two years performing and touring with the company in Japan, Korea, France, Cape Verde, Germany, and in the US. She now lives and works in New York City. She is an instructor, assistant choreographer, and a lead dancer with the Maimouna Keita African Dance Company. 

Patriann “Firegoddess” Edwards is a multidisciplinary performing artist, dance educator, and independent cultural researcher from Trinidad & Tobago. Patriann is extensively trained in Afro-traditional and folk dance forms of Trinidad & Tobago, West African dance, and the fire arts.

To foster cultural appreciation and cultural awareness, Patriann's work aims to inspire moments of discovery for people of all ages through exposure to multicultural learning. Through her expertise, participants will be introduced to the culture, traditions, and language of the Caribbean, specifically Trinidad & Tobago.

Mouminatou Camara founded Seewe African Dance Company in September 2005. For a decade, she was the principal dancer for the world-renowned dance company, Les Ballet Africans. She also performed with Les Ballet Djonllba and the Army Ballet. An instructor and performer of West African dance and drum, Mouminatou has performed and taught workshops extensively in the US, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Martinique, and the West African countries of Senegal, Mali, and the Ivory Coast. Having spent her life in Guinea, Mouminatou has stated that she has been dancing since she was in her mother’s womb. Affectionately called “Moumi”, she brings firsthand knowledge of the history of each dance and imparts that knowledge with great clarity and passion to her students.

A principal member of Kofago Dance Ensemble, Bakary Fall is a dancer and choreographer of traditional and contemporary West African, Capoeira, and urban dances from Dakar, Senegal. Bakary launched his career at the Third World Festival of Black Arts in Dakar, originally established by Senegalese poet and president Leopold Sedar Senghor.

Bakary notably studied with Bessie Award-winning dancer Germaine Acogny. 

His dancing and choreography have been featured in several documentaries and music videos, including with Grammy Award-winning artists. He founded the annual Yoon ak Yeen festival in Dakar in 2014, which is recognized throughout West Africa for uniting artists experimenting with the fusion of contemporary and traditional dance. He also founded a dance group, Sunu Percu Dance, in Senegal that works with traditional and contemporary West African cultures. 

Since arriving to the United States in 2018, Bakary has danced in festivals and performances, including in New York: INSITU Dance Festival, a Youssou N’dour performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the International African Arts Festival: West Africa Dance Masters. He teaches classes and workshops at Ailey Extension, Ripley Grier, Piel Canela Center for Latin Arts, Peridance Capezio Center, CUMBE: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, Queensborough Community College, and at NYC public and charter schools for all ages. He has also taught at schools and universities across the United States and has performed throughout Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Senegal.

It's easy to start dancing at Ailey Extension. First, create an Ailey Extension Mindbody account online here or through the Ailey Extension app.  

We encourage students to register for class in advance—classes and workshops can and do sell out. Simply sign into Mindbody in our app or on your browser, find your class or workshop, click “Book,” and pay for your class.

Students are also welcome to sign up for class at the Extension Desk at The Joan Weill Center for Dance by paying with card, cash, or contactless payments.

You must be 16 or older to take Ailey Extension classes and workshops.

As you enter The Joan Weill Center for Dance, the Extension Desk is directly to your right with clear signage. Our staff will check you in and point you in the right direction of your studio. 

Locker rooms and showers are available for daily use on the lower level (LL) if you need to change before class.

Ailey Extension classes are hosted on the lower level (LL), ground floor, 2nd floor, 5th floor, and 6th floor. 

Studios are named according to their floor level and position on the floor. A & B studios are to the left and right of the elevators and C & D studios are located down the hallway as you exit the elevator.

If you ever need assistance finding your way around the Ailey Studios, our staff is here to help.