Ailey Extension Instructor
Babacar M'Baye was born in a Griot family of Wolof people, in the house of Bouna Mbasse Gueye. His professional career began with the family group, Bouga Fallou and soon after, Babacar and his family founded the group Sing Sing Rhythms. Sing Sing was an instant sensation-known throughout Senegal for innovative and energetic dance routines and rhythms. Babacar and Sing Sing performed on a variety of Senegalese television shows and toured throughout Senegal and the Gambia including alongside music sensation Yossou N’dour. Babacar then became a distinguished member of the Second Ballet of Senegal. He is admired in his homeland as one of Dakar’s most exciting dancers.
Babacar has been dedicated since childhood to perfecting, performing, and transforming through complete mastery, the arts of African dance and drumming. His extensive knowledge of dance includes Serer, Soruba, Kutiro, and Djembe techniques, however he is best known for bringing Sabar African dance to the forefront of the dance community in the United States. He upholds the tradition of Sabar dance by drawing power from the traditions of his people, while contributing his innovative spirit and style toward its continuation.
A formidable dancer, Babacar offers up an exciting and challenging learning experience to beginners as well as well-versed dancers. He has traveled the United States and abroad teaching at workshops in Atlanta, California, DC, Puerto Rico, across Europe, and Japan. He has performed at distinguished and diverse venues as Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, MGM Grand, The Apollo Theater, Aaron Davis Hall, and the United Nations. He has also appeared in a variety of films and festivals including Wycleff’s hit music video “How Come”, the African Film Festival Nuits African Festival, the “Up South” Literary Festival, and in the hit movie starring Bruce Willis “Tears of the Sun.” Babacar has toured the United States with Ballet Sinomiye of Senegal and the Ballet Bougarabou Du Senegal.
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Hero Credit: Photo by Christian Miles