|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vado Diomande - Resume
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROFILE
|
|
|
|
Master of regional dance and drumming traditions of West Africa
Performer and choreographer, with over fifteen years with the Ballet National de Cote D’Ivoire (National Ballet of the Ivory Coast)
Founder of L’Ensemble Kotchegna D’Abidjan, now residing in the United States as the Kotchegna Dance Company
Toured and performed throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia
|
|
|
|
|
|
RECOGNITION
|
|
|
|
Brevet des Techniques Superieures des Arts et Culture
Republique de Cote d'Ivoires
The Ethnic Dance Award
Public Library of the Performing Arts’ Dance Collection Archive
New York Public Library
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPERTISE
|
|
|
|
Dancer
|
|
|
|
Vado’s dance skills draw from an extensive knowledge of the traditional dances of the Ivory Coast and other West African countries. He is a member of several dance companies, as well as guest artist with many others, including companies of Brazilian, Haitian, Tap and Modern Dance. Since moving to the United States, he has taken part in innumerable performances and events across the country.
He also acts as an intermediary for the spirit of a Mask called Gue-Pelou, “God of the Sacred Forest.” In this role, the nine-foot tall Mask is a bridge between the world of the living and the spiritual realm of the ancestors. It performs dances and acrobatic feats, and acts as a protective power for those it encounters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dance Companies
|
|
Current Involvement
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ballet National de Cote D’Ivoire
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kotchegna Dance Company
|
|
founder and director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Urban Tap
|
|
member
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ballet D’Afrique Djoniba
|
|
member
|
|
|
|
|
|
Les Ballets Africain de Papa Ladji Camara
|
|
guest artist
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.P.I.R.I.T.S. S.O.A (Chicago)
|
|
guest artist
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seven Principles (New Jersey)
|
|
guest artist
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mamadou Dahoue and the Ancestral Messengers
|
|
guest artist
|
|
|
|
|
|
Afro Brazil Arts
|
|
guest artist
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maimouna Keita School of African Dance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mask Dance Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Notable Performances
|
|
|
|
|
Symphony Space, NYC
Just Kidding!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baruch College, NYC
Maimouna Keita Dance Conference
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Museum for African Art, NYC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The New Victory Theater on Broadway, NYC
Urban Tap
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West African Dance & Drum Conference, Los Angeles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis
Africa Festival
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Pittsburg Symphony, PA
Umoja African Arts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Brooklyn, NY
Dance Africa ’98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Museum of Natural History, NYC
Kwanzaa Celebration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Founder, Choreographer and Artistic Director – Kotchegna Dance Company
|
|
|
|
In Vado’s native language of Mahou, “kotchegna” means “messenger.” His troupe’s goal is to inspire joy and understanding through the power of dance and drum, promoting the exchange of culture worldwide.
As Founder and Director of the Kotchegna Dance Company, Vado has assembled a company of over sixteen dancers and drummers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Notable Performances
|
|
|
|
|
Djoniba Drum & Dance Center, NYC
Matieni Kone Memorial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Symphony Space, NYC
Just Kidding!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sullivan County Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Jay College Theater, NYC
Badenya ’98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dance and Drumming Instructor
|
|
|
|
Vado has been teaching dance and drumming to students in the New York City area since 1995. His students include professionals and novices. He also takes part in many educational programs for children, and tours extensively through the school systems of the New York City metropolitan area and beyond.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dance Schools in New York City
|
|
Current Involvement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alvin Ailey Dance School
|
|
instructor
|
|
|
|
New Dance Group
|
|
instructor
|
|
|
|
PMT Dance Studio
|
|
instructor
|
|
|
|
|
|
Djoniba Dance and Drum Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shekere Center
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ballet Arts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fareta
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ifetayo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drummer and Drum Maker
|
|
|
|
Vado has been making, repairing and playing drums since he was very young. His reputation for quality workmanship has attracted an international clientele of professionals including many West African drummers.
|
|
|
|
