One World Dance. . .
Peace through rhythm and movement

West African Dance Classes

Move your body to grooves from Guinea, West Africa. Great teaching, interesting choreography and a nurturing environment make these very fun and inviting classes!

Mondays: 7:30-9:00pm
Beginner/Intermediate level dance class with Sarah Lee

This class is a great introduction to West African Dancing! You will learn basic posture, technique, movement vocabulary and steps, all to live infectious music! With Sarah Lee’s friendly “show and go” style of teaching, you will begin to lay down the neural pathways between your head and your body that allow you the coordination needed to control your body so as to move and express yourself through these amazing African movements!

Thursdays: 7:30-9:00pm
Intermediate level dance class with Sarah Lee

This class is open to people who have already had experience with dance, please contact us if you have a question about which class is best for you!

This high energy class moves quickly at an intermediate pace, with live music provided by the One World Dance Band. In this class, Sarah Lee teaches a variety of traditional dances from Guinea West Africa and you will find yourself enjoying the intricacies of the movements of these dances, as well as the workout it gives you! In taking this class these moves will begin to sink in, and you will begin to be able to remember which moves go with which dance, adding in your own personal style!

Planet Earth Yoga
418 N. 35th St.
(just east of Phinney Ave. on the north side of the street)

Class Prices:

  • $15 per class (drop-in rate)
  • $65 for a 5-class card ($13 per class)
  • $110 for a 10-class card ($11 per class)

For more information, e-mail Sarah Lee Parker.

I used muscles that I hadn't before and I like that! I felt great after class and really in touch with my body. It was a fabulous experience for me and I will be back next week for sure! The live drumming has such a huge impact. Plus nice, laid-back people with no pressure to look or be anything. — Amy

Sarah Lee Parker Koumbassa

Sarah Lee Koumbassa graduated with honors and a degree in Exercise Science, Nutrition, and Health and Wellness from the University of Minnesota. She has been a member of the University of Minnesota Repertory and Hamanah Don Dance Companies, managed the Fitness Program at the West Seattle YMCA, and is currently a Personal Trainer, working with people one on one to heal, expand and transform their physical capacities.

When Sarah Lee first discovered West African Dance in1993, she was hooked immediately, and spent the next decade studying with dozens of well known instructors from various parts of West Africa. In 2004, Sarah Lee’s passion for this art form took her to Senegal and then Guinea West Africa on a dance intensive with her primary instructor: Master Dancer Youssouf Koumbassa.

She has since returned to Guinea five more times for months at a time to dance and learn from some of the best West African Dancers in the world. While there, in addition to falling completely in love with the people, the culture and the music and dance of Guinea West Africa, Sarah Lee met her soul mate Karim Koumbassa, Drummer, Dancer, Instrument Maker, Choreographer and Director. Karim and Sarah Lee are now married and living in Seattle, powerfully committed to sharing their love and knowledge of this amazing culture.

A true healer in the best sense of the word, her infectious enthusiasm, playfulness and generosity of spirit, make her the perfect ambassador for the West African traditions that she shares from her heart.

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, which regularly places in the National Dance and Percussion Festival in Conakry, the most prestigious competition in Guinea. He has performed with many other professional performance 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 Vocalist Alpha Yaya Diallo. Karim has also performed with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and The Northwest Girls Choir.

While Karim performs with and teaches many of the traditional instruments of West Africa: Djembe, Bolon, Gongoma, N’goni, and Kora, his passion lies with the bass Dunun Drums. Karim’s intimate relationship with rhythm and time coupled with his profound passion for music make him an incredible musician, inspiring teacher, and infectious performer.

Live music by the One World Dance band

The One World Dance Band performs music for both Monday and Thursday night classes, led by Karim Koumbassa. The musicians are both incredible people and focused and talented artists!

The One World Dance band includes Michael Hunter, Nick Incorvaia, Frenchy Lamont, Tracy Lamont, Tyler Richart, Jim Roe, Lance Scott, as well as the extraordinary One World Dance co-creator Larry Swanson (who also runs the Seattle World Beat website).

In addition to this core group, world class musicians have sat in with us from time to time. Guinean percussionist Manimou Camara, Guinean balafon virtuoso and griot Naby Camara, world music percussionist Joseph “Pepe” Danza, Guinean master djembefola Karamba Diabate, Senegalese djembefola Thione Diop, Ghanaian guitarist and percussionist Mohamed Shaibu, shekere teacher and performer Lance Lu, and many others.

Distinguished alumni of the band include Lee Colbert, Kale Dennis, Thierno Diop, Jack Hirsch, Christine Hopkins, Cadence Howard, Meredith Jones, Joe Katroscik, John vanBrokhoven, Alika Santos and Phillip Seward.

OWD at the 2003 Solstice Parade

Check out these photo albums (album 1, album 2) of our performance at the 2003 Fremont Solstice Parade.

Photos


One World Dance drummers and dancers at West Seattle's Hi-Yu Parade, 2002.


One World Dance drummers at Alki, 2002. Until the police strongly suggested that we find a less noise-sensitive locale, we held class at this beautiful spot on Alki on nice days.


Site created and hosted by Seattle massage therapist Larry Swanson, who also publishes the The Office Rat, offering fitness tips for office workers.