About Us
Instructors wanted | Meet the instructors | Guest instructors | Meet the musicians
Now celebrating our 10th year on Vancouver Island!
Celebrating diversity and cultural understanding fuel our creative passions at MoonDance. Through our local community, as well as in Africa and around the World, MoonDance offers respectful, culturally-sensitive classes and workshops.
"There are few short-cuts to happiness... DANCE is one of them!"
Dance — celebrate life!
Thank you to all the amazing applicants. MoonDance is pleased to introduce two new kids' class instructors: Sunny Thiara and Chris O'Connor.
Meet the Instructors:
Lynn Weaver (Artistic Director)
Lynn has been dancing all her life and loves sharing her passion for dance. Her training includes Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, University of Calgary and studying with master dancers of Les Ballet Africains and Percussion de Guinea. She has studied extensively across a range of disciplines including Ballet, Jazz, and Modern. Her choreography and performance work includes Wongai! Drum & Dance Ensemble, Dance Explosions, University of Calgary Performing Arts, Kuraba Drum & Dance, Ballet Saamato, among others. Lynn also has the honour of teaching dance at Maxwell International School.
Lynn & Byron live for West African vibes, and love sharing them in the manner they have been so generously shared with them.
Every instance of learning dance from other cultures involves an inherent respect for the people of that culture. Each person who participates in such dances contributes to the preservation of multicultural life on this planet.
Raji Basi
Born in the Punjab State of India, Raji Basi taught herself to dance watching bollywood films. Raji's passion are choreographing and dancing to Punjabi/Hindi songs, which she has performed in many local variety shows and for television programs. She has also taught dance to children and adults. Most recently, Raji lead Bhangra workshops at HealthFest 2009 and Soulsister Dance Studio in Nanaimo BC.
Andre "Mohamed" Duranteau
This talented performing artist from Guinea, West Africa has been dancing, singing and drumming for 15 years. Mohamed joined his first Guinean ballet at the age of 15. Now at 30, he has gained extensive experience performing and working as both lead dancer and stage director for various ballets such as L'Ensemble Instrumental de Kakimbo, and Le Ballet Taille.
He has been teaching West African dance classes with his wife, Marielle Comeau, in Vancouver, Victoria and on Salt Spring, sharing his talent and joyful spirit with everyone.
Danny Mosquera Lemos
Danny was born in Quibdo, Colombia and began studying Contemporary African dance under director/choreographer Rafael Palacios 7 years ago. He was a member of the group Sankofa for most of that time and with it performed throughout Colombia and internationally until moving to Canada in 2007.
Nikko Snow
Nikko has been dancing with MoonDance for 6 years and is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach with the school. She began exploring dance at an early age through ballet, character, jazz, musical theatre, latin, swing, flamenco and most recently West African dance. She is also a certified teacher, environmental educator and mother of two young children.
Genevieve Charbonneau
Gen took her first creative movement class at 6 and went on to study ballet, jazz, modern, tap, flamenco, musical theatre and, most recently, West African dance. As an adolescent, she was a member of Kidco Touring Dance Company in Victoria, and won a number of city-wide dance awards. She went on to study theatre at UVic, and performed extensively in both amateur and professional theatre productions. She was a member of Alma D'Espana, and has studied extensivly with Lynda Raino, dabbling in both choreography and directing. She is currently an active member of the national award-winning Balkan Babes, has a homestead in the Cowichan valley and is raising two small boys. Gen loves rhythm and movement, and believes music and dance are inextricably connected.
Allison Hinton
Allison has been practicing Pilates for the past 7 years and teaching for the past 4 years. With a lifelong passion for fitness and health the choice to begin teaching Pilates came naturally. Loving the fusion of mind/body connection and exercises that truly shape and balance the body. She obtained her Mat Pilates certifcation from STOTT PILATES after trying various styles of the Pilates Method, connecting with the contemporary approach and it's use of current knowledge of the body. Allison has experience teaching all ages and fitness levels, and is happy to welcome any willing participant into her class. She is passionate about teaching people to appreciate and understand what their bodies are capable of in a relaxed non-judgemental environment. In her free time Allison enjoys gardening, Jazzercise and chasing after her busy two year old daughter.
Chris O'Connor
Chris has recently moved to Vancouver Island. He has an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Simon Fraser University. While primarily focusing on dance and creative movement, Chris also incorporates sound, installation and theatre within his overall artistic practice. He has danced in companies in various cities throughout North America spanning a range of styles — from highly physical dance on scaffolding to an intergenerational dance company where the oldest member was 90 years old. He has danced in alleyways, living rooms, on and under bridges, in prisons, in old age homes, and most places in between. For the last few years Chris has been an arts educator at the Vancouver Art Gallery, led and organized Soundwalks for Vancouver New Music and taught creative movement in elementary and secondary schools throughout the lower mainland with Learning Through the Arts.
Sunny Thiara
Sunny has been dancing Bhangra from childhood, and during her university years, she was part of a Bhangra Dance Team in Victoria, performing at international festivals and Indo-Canadian events and concerts. She also enjoys dancing to pop music, and has learned dance from other cultures as well.
Guest Instructors:
Erin Brûlé
Always on the go in one sport or another (rock climbing, snowboarding, running, swimming, cycling, various team sports), Erin had never considered herself the "dancer" type. It was quite a surprise when she discovered how quickly she became drawn into the class and the rhythms of West Africa.
Erin is testament to the fact that you don't have to be a "dancer" in the traditional sense to fall in love with West African dancing. In fact, she openly admits her only "dance training" involves impromptu polka-fests in the family kitchen.
She is thrilled to find herself part of the growing MoonDance family and is excited to share her enthusiasm for West African rhythms with others (she has promised not to make anyone in her class dance the polka!)
Erin's website: prairiechild.com
While the winds of change have moved Erin to Kamloops, Erin remains an integral part of the MoonDance family and of Matoto.
Naby Camara
Juno award-winning percussionist from the African Guitar Summit, and the legendary National Ensemble of the Republic of Guinea, Naby's talents
are not only balafon and djembe, but he is a skillful teacher as well.
(Lagni Sussu, Seattle)
N'nato Camara
Dynamite dancer, N'nato's credits include: Ballet Taille, Circus Baobob, and Aklysso.
(Explosion Africaine, Vancouver)
Manimou Camara
Through study and performance with prestigious artists and performance groups: Ballet Saamato, Merveille de Guinee, Sekou Sylla, Karamoko Daman,
and Bolokada, Manimou has a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to share with students.
(Dounia Djembe, Seattle)
Jung-Ah Chung
Jung-Ah graduated from the Ewha Women's University in Seoul, Korea, appearing in Empty Space at the 4th Recontres Choreographiques Internationales De Seine-Saint Denis, she was awarded a Best Dancer's Prize. She also performed for Ae-Soon Ahn in 1998 in the Grand Prize of the Centre Internationales De Bagnolet in Paris.
Her own choreography has included Shape, A shout of Joy, Woman in the House, Skin, beginning and Being, Duet, Four Swallows, Full Bloom....
Since she moved to BC and has worked with Constance Cooke, Ballet Victoria, TriPOD Dance Collective, Out of the Box Productions, Suddenly Dance Theatre, Wen Wei Dance and Battery Opera. Recently Jung-ah's solo Connection is invited to Tangente 08 in Montreal, CanAsian Festival 09 and Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival 09 which she created for Pulse at the Dance Centre and Dancing on the Edge, ROMP 2006. She also participated in Suddenly Dance Theatre's film Nature ecstasy and Opium and Aisling for Bravo and directed, choreographed and performed in her first film Drive in 2005.
She toured with Suddenly Dance Theatre three cities in Korea in summer 2008 and was invited for The 10th Next Wave Dance Festival.
With her non stop versatile performances she was chosen as The Victoria's Favourite Choreographer in 2006 and the favourite Dancer in 2004 by M-Awards, Monday Magazine. She will continue to dance in gratitude with the mind of infinite possibility.
Alseny "Michel" Diallo
Alseny "Michel" Diallo is a master djembe player and talented performing artist from Guinea West Africa. He has been working in the Guinean Music scene for over 15 years, performing in different ballets, participating in festivals and competitions as well as showcasing in Guinea's largest theatres, "Le Centre Nimbia" and "Le Centre Culturel."
Alseny Diallo has been the lead soloist djembe player for various ballets since the age of 12, now at 27 he has become the artistic director of several ballets, earning him a master title. Alseny's musical talents has also led him to perform at many significant cultural events with such ballets as "Le Ballet Taille", "Les Ballet Africain Juniors", "Le Ballet Kokuri", "Le Tempo" and "L’Oiseau Blanc".
In 1997 Alseny participated in a national annual competition, "Festi Kalum", where their ballet received a natioanlly accredited diploma. In 2004 "Le Ballet Taille" took part in "La Tour Federale," a governement funded collaborative project bringing together 10 different established ballets from Guinea.
Alseny has been in Canada since 2007 performing and touring with internationally acclaimed artist Alpha YaYa Diallo and his own group Kikeyambay. He has a gift for sharing the music of his culture and is an amazing teacher having taught djembe and duns throughout BC and Africa.
Karim Koumbassa
Karim Koumbassa, Drummer, Dancer, Choreographer, Director and Instrument Maker from Guinea West Africa, has worked extensively with some of the best and most renowned artists from his country such as Mamady Keita, and Youssouf Koumbassa. His immense love and appreciation for African Culture drives Karim to be an amazing teacher and performer.
Before coming to the United States, Karim was the Artistic Director and Choreographer of the performance company Oiseaux Blanc, and was a performer with many other professional companies in Guinea, namely Les Merveilles de Guinee, Ballets Taille, Wassa So, and Kounkouri.
Since arriving in America in May 2005, Karim has performed with many incredible African Artists such as Balaphonist Naby Camara, Djembefolas Karamba Diabate, Bolokada Conde, Muhamed Camara and Guitarist and Vocalists Alpha Yaya Diallo and Petit Conde. Karim has also performed with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and The Northwest Girls Choir.
Karim is an incredible dancer and musician, and his intimate relationship with rhythm and time coupled with his profound passion for his art make him a great teacher.
He currently lives in Seattle, WA, teaching, performing and directing West African Dance and Drum classes all over the Pacific Northwest part of the United States.
Monique Salez
Monique Salez is a multi-disciplined performer, choreographer and teacher of movement whose roots and deep passion lay in the art flamenco. Her unique style stretches the genre by fusing it with elements of modern and hip-hop. A recipient of a professional development grant from The Canada and The BC Arts Councils, she has traveled to Spain and studied with many flamenco greats from Belen Maya to Israel Galvan. Monique teaches and performs across North America creating award winning choreographies with her flamenco cuadro FLAMENCO REBELDE, collaborating with diverse companies from Ballet Victoria to Bella Canto and most recently, launching her flamenco fusion band EL SHOW. She nurtures a thriving flamenco program at Lynda Raino Dance in her home town, Victoria.
Check out her summer school! July 19-23, 2010
Intro to Flamenco & Ethno Funk
Go to lyndarainodance.com or call 250.388.5085
Jennie Stevens
Since opening Woodruff Music School over 16 years ago, Jennie has provided a unique music program for an ever increasing number of children and their families. Her warm, loving and relaxed approach with students, and her comfortable cottage studio in its garden setting create a very special music experience. The philosophy surrounding the music program is one of connection and relationship building, in addition to developing a passion for making and sharing music. Jennie holds a degree in Education, specializing in Early Childhood and in Music, and has 28 years of experience teaching children of all ages. She has performed in a number of musical ensembles including The Mere Minstrels Trio, and currently with Mtoni Malaika Marimba Band. Her creative and nurturing teaching style encourages even the most hesitant youngster to join in with the activities, and her passion and enthusiasm for her work shines in the joyful musical expression of the children.
Ted Wright — Gum Boot Dance
Ted Wright's love for Shona music started when he joined Marimba Muzuva in 1993. He has since studied and performed with many of Zimbabwe's top traditional musicians, both in North America and in Zimbabwe, where he has travelled three times to study the music and culture at length. Ted has been teaching marimba, mbira, chipendani and gumboot dancing for many years in workshops, school groups, and ongoing classes, and is currently director of Bopoma Community Music on Vancouver Island, a centre for southern African music and dance. Besides Marimba Muzuva, Ted's musical projects have included the world beat improvisational ensemble Spirit Gate, mbira quartet Choto, and Zimbabwean roots dance bands Zimfusion and Jambanja. For more info, see http://bopoma.org and www.nhemamusasanorth.org
Kesseke Yeo
For Kesseke dance is like a medicine. He started dancing at 7 years and at 11 he went to the Ivory Coast National Ballet and was there for several years dancing locally and touring around Africa and Europe. He also danced for Yelemba d`Abidjan and Ballet Djolem d'Abidjan, la Companie de Wouafou de Abidjan. In 2001 he moved to Vancouver and currently dances for Masabo Culture Company and his own group West meets West. He also teaches West African dance in various dance studios in Vancouver (www.KissofAfrica.com).
Meet the Musicians:
Byron Weaver
MoonDance partner and musician, Byron brings explosive energy to the classes. A guitar player for many years, he began his study on the intricacies of West African drumming six years ago.
Allan Bell
Allan has been a drummer since he was 10 yrs old coming up through school bands, dance bands and musical theatre. He did 2 years of music at Malaspina College as a percussion performance major. He has played drums & percussion in formats from symphonic to jazz, kit drumming, big band and of course rock. West African music is his current drumming choice and Allan started playing dejembe 5 years ago. It is almost 3 years since he started playing with Moondance. He started studying with Navaro Franco and now with Jordan Hanson for over 2 years. He has also attended numerous workshops put on by visiting African drummers.
On the other side Allan has a varied seagoing career of 32 years. He started in Victoria with the Coast Guard and moved to the east coast and beyond. He particularly enjoyed the Canadian Arctic and spent 22 years in the north on ice breakers, tankers and supply boats. He joined BC Ferries in 1998 and has been Senior Master on the Queen of Cumberland (Swartz Bay) since 2000. Allan and his wife Donna have been together since 1977 and Peter (19) is their only son.
Juliana Wigmore
Juliana was born and raised in Prince Edward Island, and has had a sincere interest in music, art, and nature for as long as she can remember. She moved to Victoria in 2003, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from UVic in 2007. As a kid she dreamed of playing the drum set and the xylophone. At the age of 12 she received a guitar for her birthday, and her family bought her a drum set at age 13. In her early 20s, she began playing djembe and douns, as well as dancing, with MoonDance. She has performed as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist in a variety of bands over the last sixteen years — including jazz and concert bands, as well as rock, punk, folk, and alt-country bands — and is currently a drummer and dancer with the MoonDance performance troupe Keyké Faré. Between December 2008 and January 2009, she had the incredible experience of traveling to Guinea, West Africa to study traditional Guinean drumming and dance with members of Ballet Saamato in Conakry. She looks forward to returning to continue her studies, as well as her involvement with future and ongoing projects started by the Matoto Multicultural Arts Society, of which she is a founding member.
Ken Tupper
Ken Tupper has been playing djembe with Moondance Dynamic Arts since 2004. In addition to percussion, Ken plays acoustic and electric guitars, the hammered dulcimer and sings. Ken's interest in West African music began when he had the opportunity to learn African-style guitar from Alpha Yaya Diallo. Ken is working on his Ph.D. in the Department of Educational Studies at the University of British Columbia and is currently employed at the BC Ministry of Health, doing population health policy. He is also an avid telemark skier. For more info, see www.kentupper.com.
Pete Sperling
Pete began drumming while living in Ghana in 2004 and was hooked! After moving back to Canada in 2007 he discovered MoonDance and has been stoked to be drumming with them ever since.
Josh Nachtigal
Josh received a drum for his 12th birthday. Djembe class with Byron got him hooked and Josh has developed into a passionate West African drummer. His short term goals are to play as best/fast as he can, and earn enough for a bigger drum. His long term goal is to travel to Guinea to further his training. Now at 13 years old, Josh's other hobbies are collecting Lego, water skiing, and gymnastics.
MoonDance is also grateful to have others sharing their talents and energy!
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