DRUMS & DANCE 2024
*** Esner Robaina's class IS NOT OFFERED ON THURSDAYS!***
OUR GUEST TEACHERS
Kiazi MALONGA
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Kiazi Malonga is a second-generation American of Congolese origin, born into a family of artists. He was introduced to the Ngoma drum at the age of two by his father, Malonga Casquelourd, a world-renowned traditional drummer, dancer and choreographer from Congo Brazzaville who settled in the USA in 1972.
It was within this setting that Kiazi Malonga was trained and learned about his Congolese cultural heritage. At the age of 16, he became the lead drummer for his father's dance company, Fua Dia Congo, and also began teaching at this time. He currently teaches traditional Congolese music in Oakland, California. Kiazi has performed in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Europe and Africa. Following up on his highly acclaimed debut album, this artist just released his second album, Zu Dia Ngoma, in March 2024. His new musical work includes previously unrecorded compositions by the late Malonga Casquelourd, his father, as well as new compositions.
Kiazi also holds a master's degree in International Affairs and Natural Resources, and founded Pelisa Energy to promote and contribute to sustainable development.
Gervais TOMADIATUNGA
Franco-Congolese artist Gervais Tomadiatunga began his career in dance and theatre at the Congolese Ballet National and Théâtre National. Guided by a spirit of discovery, he explores traditional dances, as well as the phenomenon of trance.
In 2008, he was invited to join Florent Mahoukou's Compagnie Studio Mahoo. Together they created On The Steps, which was awarded 1st prize at the Rencontres chorégraphiques, Danse l’Afrique danse in Bamako. Gervais developed his art with the dance company Tumamana, which he founded in Congo and which later became Danseincolore after he settled in France.
As a dancer and choreographer he is committed to dance that is both engaged and free, able to bear witness and raise awareness while instilling hope. His impactful choreographies, including the most recent, Mboka Mboka, have brought him to various contemporary stages in Africa, Europe and the USA. Just back from Mboka Mboka's African tour, Gervais is currently helping to set up a dance training centre in his native Congo Brazzaville.
Esner ROBAINA
Esner Robaina began dancing and studying percussion at the same time, as a teenager, with the most accomplished artists of renowned traditional dance companies such as Ranses Chron, Ivan Valdelpino. as well as the JJ Folklorica de Cuba. His first experience in the West took him to Finland, where he developed his dance teaching and confirmed his great interest in traditional Afro-Cuban forms of music and dance. Since his recent arrival in Canada, he has worked, among others, with Julio Hong.
Zab MABOUNGOU
An outstanding choreographer, dancer, philosopher and trainer, she is also the general and artistic director of Zab Maboungou | Compagnie Danse Nyata Nyata (1987). Her approach to movement is both innovative and respectful of African sources of music and dance, from which she extracts and formulates the principles and technicality. Recognized as a Woman in Dance by the Abidjan Performing Arts Market in Ivory Coast (2018), Zab
Maboungou received the Governor General of Canada's medal for the performing arts in 2021.
OUR ACCOMPANYING ARTISTS
Elli Miller-Maboungou
Elli learned to drum before he could walk, with Zab Maboungou|Compagnie Danse Nyata Nyata, growing up in the studio. He is the company’s most recent “memory”, having played with the great drum-masters. This has helped him perfect his own style. Elli has already taken part in several shows and conducted percussion workshops for young people across Canada. He has taught African dance classes here and abroad for many years. He recently formed his own Afro-jazz group Jazzamboka and continues to be the regular percussionist for several well-known Montreal bands. Jazzamboka won the Stingray Award for Best Music Composition at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2017.
Ferdinand Batantou
Master drummer of Congolese origin, Ferdinand Batantou was a percussionist for the National Ballet of Congo. He has since participated in several festivals around the world. In France, he is a distinguished accompanist of African dance classes. A visiting professor at the University of Michigan, he has participated since 1995 in the Congolese Camp in California and Hawaii, in the United States. His talents as an arranger have enabled him to contribute to the realization of several major projects, including one with Doudou N’Diaye Rose, an internationally renowned drummer from Senegal.
A musician of Mexican origin specializing in the study of West African music, he began his musical studies at the age of 15 at the Superior School of Music in the city of Mexico City, Mexico. While continuing his training in different institutions including Fermatta (private music school, Mexico City) and CIEM (Center for Musical Investigation and Studies), he obtained a diploma from TRYNITY University in London in musical theory. His interest in percussions and African-influenced music led him to independent research during which he took courses, workshops and training courses. He undertook numerous trips to countries such as Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Brazil and Cuba before specializing in African and Afro-Latin percussion. He regurlarly participates in various musical and artistic projects where awareness and artistic quality are highlighted. He is part of Zab Maboungou | Compagnie Danse Nyata since 2015.
