Kickstarter

 America is the birthplace of modern dance and its forms have migrated to every region of the earth.  One of its most recent resting places is in the birthplace of humanity itself - Africa. 

 A deep interest and desire resonates in many African dancers to experience and learn first hand from our American dance form innovation. 

There is an ongoing exploration and integration of contemporary movement with traditional African dance. 

AND l HAVE been GIFTED with THE OPPORTUNITY to engage in a 4 week long international event to share, give, learn, research and grow as an artist and serve as the only American modern dance ambassador.

My project is for a wonderful arts exchange that will nurture and build upon an ever growing remarkable connection of working with amazing artists from West Africa. 

My teaching, dancing, and choreographic style stems from a career of Contemporary, Modern, and Ballet, with a deep influence, and implementation of nuances from the African Diaspora.  My earliest collaborations began with artists from Afro-Caribbean dance origins and evolved with Senegalese master musicians.  However my most powerful and momentous artistic episode, began with the international debut of my company's contemporary work in 2009, at the KAAY FECC International Arts Festival in Dakar, Senegal.  From that journey abroad, many more extraordinary relationships have unfolded and continue to develop.

SIDO - 2012 is one of these manifestations. Founder, Irene Tassembedo, is a renowned teacher, choreographer, and dance advocate from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.  Her invitation to teach contemporary dance at her ONE MONTH LONG festival with students, musicians and teachers from around the world is such a privilege  - especially since I will have the honor of being the only guest artist from the U.S.A.  

However in like manner to our economy, funding is tremendously difficult and sparse - especially for the arts. Your donations will assist paying for musicians in the dual task of playing for my workshops and collaborating for a composition that I will begin creating in Ouagadougou.  In addition, your benevolent support and contributions will be towards movement research that will include learning from African professional dancers and other guest artists from other countries.  The acquired movement information will be implemented as source material, and an origin for the creating process for a future fully developed new work / piece.

Your generosity is sincerely appreciated.

Thank you in advanced - for your support!! 

With Gratitude and Love                                                                                                                    

- Khaleah                                                                                                           www.khaleahlondon.com