MOUSTAPHA BANGOURA

Moustapha Bangoura hails from the West African nation of Guinea. He is a 22 year veteran of the largest and most celebrated dance company from the continent of Africa, les Ballets Africains. The internationally acclaimed master dancer, drummer and choreographer has traveled the globe, bringing the colorful musical performance traditions of his homeland to audiences worldwide. Moustapha’s mission is to continue to share his expertise while preserving the richness and authenticity of the culture. He is recognized for his thorough and charismatic technique that is deeply routed in tradition.

In 1993, Moustapha founded Le Bagatae, a dance and drum school in Conakry and Kiffinda. Since 1997, Moustapha has been a traveling ambassador for Guinea, independently conducting music and dance residencies and master classes throughout Africa, Europe, Australia and the U.S. He is sponsored by the Republic of Guinea’s Ministry of Youth and Culture as an official art and culture representative. He has worked with numerous arts organizations, professional dance companies, schools and universities.

Moustapha currently resides in Chicago, where he is Artistic Director with Le Bagatae Dance and Drum Ensemble. In France, he is the choreographer for Guinean Ballet Won Tan Nara. He continues to travel and share his knowledge and expertise of traditional dance and drum with students throughout the world.

Learn more about Moustapha, his companies and his exceptional instructional DVDs on his web site www.lebagatae.com