02.08.07

Yao Damho

African Dancer

 

Who am I:

Yao was born and raised in the pure “Baule” culture from the Akan ethnic group of his native country- Cote d’Ivoire.

 

As young adult, he received his first initiation from the masters in the sacred forest. Experience that kept him grounded to his culture and allowed him to go around the world to share his ancestor knowledge for over 20 years.

 

He graduated as a dance instructor and choreographer from EDEC, school of dance and cultural exchange in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) under the wings of the first Ivorian choreographer, Rose Marie Guiraud.

 

She mentored him for his second initiation into the performing arts. He traveled with her dance company – les Guirivoires- around the world to teach and share his African heritage to different culture and civilizations.

 

Through his cultural sharing, he teaches techniques and creative movements that are outside the mainstream. He also teaches about the dance impact in his culture, the role and function in the social setting of his ethnic group.

 

Yao dances encompass both nontraditional and classical traditional dance.

 

His learning activities may have special appeal to the grade that studies Africa as part of the social studies core. The dance components would fulfill part of the objectives of the fines arts core curriculum in dance.

 

To contact me:

 

For private and group African Dance Lessons

Contact Cynthia Merill Performing Arts Center

Or email Afrikatitudes@gmail.com