Kunda African Culture Music & Dance in the Classroom

Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Homebase: Sunshine Coast
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island Mid, Vancouver Island North, Interior, North, Remote, Kootenays
Languages: English, Spanish, French, African Dialects
Grant Eligibility: Eligible to apply for AIC

"Kunda" means "family", a fitting name for this multicultural duo, Kocassale Dioubate from Guinea, West Africa and Canadian-born partner Sasha Belle, who share their passion through fun and interactive cultural music and dance performances, workshops and residencies for children, youth and adults in schools, camps, festivals and community events. A descendant of his Mandingo tribe's "djeliba" or "griot" (traditional musicians, singers, storytellers and oral historians), Koca was born into an inherited lineage of music and entertainment which goes back hundreds of years; he has been playing music since his early childhood, and is excited to share his passion with others.

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Performance(s)

Kunda African Culture Music & Dance Performance

School Year: 23-24
Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Offered Languages: English, French, African Dialects
Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 45 mins + 5 - 10 mins Q&A
Capacity: 500
Tech Requirements: access to a couple of chairs, access to power, basic PA/sound where available
Available Formats: In Person, Virtual

A vibrant and colourful presentation of artistic culture, music & dance from various regions of Africa, KUNDA showcases authentic handmade instruments, exotic costumes, explosive percussion, high-energy dances, joyful melodies, soothing instrumental pieces & vocals. Diverse & interactive, involving the audience through call-and-response song, dance & clapping, KUNDA's show is equally entertaining & educational, giving an insightful taste of African culture, while inviting the audience to break boundaries & participate in the universal languages of music & dance.

Workshop(s)

Kunda African Culture Music & Dance Workshops

School Year: 23-24
Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Offered Languages: English, French, African Dialects
Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: Half-day to Full-day (20 - 45 mins. per group)
Capacity: 40
Tech Requirements: Chairs or benches for all participating students; an open room (ie. gym), access to power, microphone & stand where available
Available Formats: In Person

These fun and interactive workshops allow students the chance to experiment with percussion instruments and dance movements while learning about their historical and cultural context. Through call-and-response songs, and repeat-after-me exercises, participants will learn language and vocabulary in Koca's African dialects, while also touching on subjects such as demography and geography. The main objective of these workshops is to unite participants through fun team-building activities and the universal language of music.

Classroom Residency(ies)

Contact Me: Email, Web

Kunda African Culture Music & Dance Multi-Day Residency

School Year: 23-24

Through a progressive series of fun multi-day workshops, students will have the opportunity to experiment with and learn to play a variety of traditional West African percussion instruments, also learning songs and typical dance movements and their cultural context. Over the course of the residency, each group of students will learn a different rhythm, song and/or dance. Schools may chose to hold a concert at the end of the residency where students have the opportunity to perform what they have learned in front of their peers and parents. Schools may book between 2-30 days consecutively or separately.

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Testimonials & Reviews

Having worked with music students at both Elementary and high schools, I understand the importance of an engaging performance. Sasha and Koca delivered such a performance with ease. The students (and parents and staff) loved the passion and energy exuded by these artists. Jennifer MacInnes, Band Director, Madeira Park Elementary

Thanks so much for coming up and giving workshops to our students. Both students and teachers LOVED it! The high energy, the opportunity to play drums and other musical instruments, the dancing and singing were all very much a part of a great day. I personally love how you were able to give workshops to every class in the school! Rick Miller, Principal, Mountview Elementary

Thank you, Sasha and Koca! We really enjoyed having you at PJ and I was so impressed with what the students learned in such a short time! The Grade 6/7s played so well and the little Kindies were 100% focused! Don't see that every day! Actually, one Kindergarten teacher told me after school yesterday that it was the best artist in residence program that she has experienced in her years at PJ. Pretty good feedback! Chantal Trudeau, Principal, École Pauline Johnson

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