Sights and Sounds of Senegal event

Date: Friday Sept. 11

Time: 11:30-1:30 pm

Where: Commons Terrace (All)

What: West african griot and dance performances

Performers bios:

Amadou Kouyate

         150th generation of hereditary griots . He has studied in Mali, Senegal, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire with master musicians of the Djali tradition. His repertoire ranges from traditional 13th century songs to contemporary original compositions incorporating blues and jazz using a 21-string kora as well as djembe and koutiro drums. Amadou has received the Maryland State Arts Council Governor’s Citation among other regional honors. Amadou has been an adjunct lecturer in African Music and Enthnomusicology at the University of Maryland and Artist-In -Residence at both the Strathmore Music Center and Montgomery College as well as a teaching artist at Wolftrap Organization for the Performing Arts.  He has lectured and performed throughout the U.S. and internationally with various ensembles including performances at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Smithsonian, and in England and Brazil. 

 

Mama Cheryl Hinton

  Mama Cheryl is an artist, griot, African dancer, and Fabric sculptress She is a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers, National Blacks in Wax and Tribe 55+. Mama Cheryl has facilitated workshops, college courses and African dance for both children and adults. She has decades of experience in storytelling, African dance and constructing costumes and props for dance and theater. She is a proud graduate of two HBCUs, Delaware State and Coppin State University and is a retired higher education diversity director.

 

Keur Khaleyi

         Keur Khaleyi ("house of children" in Wolof) African Dance Company, founded in 2009, provides African dance training to all ages and skill levels, serving over 80 youth weekly. Founder and artistic director Jihan Von Hendricks began studying ballet, jazz and tap at 4 years old. With her siblings Jihan studied with Sankofa Dance Theater then went on to study with numerous master dancers, including over 10 years with Babacar N’Diaye, a former lead dancer of the National Ballet of Senegal.  Ms. Von Hendricks has taught at Morgan State University, Goucher College, Baltimore City and County public schools, Maryland Academy of Dance and numerous other organizations. In 2025, Ms. Von Hendricks was honored with the Champion of Courage award.