Dr. Zak Diouf is the Founder and Director of Diamano Coura West African Dance Company. Born in Senegal, Dr. Diouf received his Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from U.C. Berkeley. Dr. Diouf has combined a brilliant career as a choreographer and performer with teaching. He has conducted extensive research into African music and dance along with choreographing some of the best dance and dramatic pieces for renowned companies such as: African-American Dance Ensemble, Dimensions Dance Theater in Oakland, Harambe Harambe Dance Company, and variety of dance companies in New York. Dr. Diouf currently teaches music, dance and history at Laney Community College in Oakland, is an Artist-In-Residence teaching Sabar Drum techniques to women, along with weekly classes in music and dance at the Malonga Casquelourd Center in Oakland. Dr. Diouf does consulting and workshops in drum-making, choreography, African history and performing arts.
Madiou Diouf is the Musical Director of Diamano Coura West African Dance Company. He holds an Associate’s Degree from Contra Costa Community College, and has worked as a stage and designer director for Diamano Coura West African Dance Company. He has also worked with the National Dance Company of Senegal, and the Liberian National Cultural Troupe. His recent performances include the Ethnic Dance Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and the People Like Me – World Arts West Festival in Oakland.
Darian LaFoucade

Born and raised in Mali, Abdoul Doumbia is an accomplished drummer who has worked with a number of professional companies in Mali, including Babemba. He was called to the drum at age 5, and completed a 16-year apprenticeship with Master Drummer Moriba Keita. He currently resides, teaches and performs in the United States.
Master Drummer, Composer, and Choreographer Malik Sow, was born in Dakar, Senegal, and hails from the Fulani ethnic group of West Africa. As a young boy in Senegal, Malik studied with Master Drummer Doussou Koulibaly, and Master Dancer Karounga Sakho. After three years as lead drummer with the Ballet d'Afrique Noire, Malik became the Musical Director for the National Ballet of Senegal. After ten years, he became the Director and Choreographer for the prestigious Les Ballets Africains. In addition to his musical expertise, Malik holds a Masters Degree in Chemistry at the University of Paris in France, and at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal and is knowledgeable of the folklore and customs of the Fulani, Wolof, Mandinka, and Djola peoples of West Africa. Malik's musical career has spanned the globe, from performances in his home country of Senegal in West Africa, across all of Europe, Japan, and all over the United States. He was featured in the African delegation of the Athlete's Parade at the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1992 he founded, and continues as Music Director for, the Mussukeba Sane West African Dance Ensemble. He teaches drumming, dance, and singing to students all over the United States and has choreographed numerous commissions for professional dance troupes. Malik has also appeared and performed in several feature films, including POETIC JUSTICE, DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN, and was also music consultant and co-composer of the soundtrack for Steven Spielberg's AMISTAD as well as featured as an actor in the film. Currently, Malik makes his home in the Los Angeles area where he teaches African culture, music, song, and dance.
Unlike many other Senegalese drummers, Samba Guisse was not born into a griot bloodline, but rather was enchanted by the spirit of the rhythm from an early age. Despite the disapproval of his parents, Samba aspired to be a musician and was taught the rhythms and techniques by elder drummers Pape Malick Gueye and Mara. After much hard work and discipline, Samba became the founding member of “Groupe Kiss,” the performing ensemble of internationally famed drummer and performer Kissima Diabate. He has played with DouDou N’Diaye and numerous ensembles such as Etoiles Nguewel, Le Fille et Les Fallette, Gueye Gueye Rhythm, Mansour Gueye, and Sing Sing Rhythme.

Since his arrival in the USA in 2003, Samba has continued to make his dream come true. While dubbed the “Senegalese Drum Phenom” of Northern California proving to be extremely talented on multiple drums, it is Samba’s skill in playing the tama (talking drum) that has gotten him much recognition in the dance and drum community as well as the ever emerging world music scene. Recently Samba opened for the Baaba Maal Summer Festival tour 2006 in Los Angeles, California and was invited to continue and play with Baaba Maal for the remainder of his US and Canadian tour destinations. Locally, Samba has recorded and can be seen performing with SILA & the Afro-Funk Experience, Dhamaal Soundsystem, Luna Angel, and Djialy Kunda Kouyate.

Fodé Seydou Bangoura
Born in the village of Samou in southeastern Guinée, Fodé has been recognized internationally for his work as the lead drummer with the acclaimed ensemble “Les Ballets Merveilles de Guinée.” A protégé of the late, great Mohamed Kemoko Sano, Fodé is now one of the most respected and sought after drummers of his generation. He has toured the world, has dozens of recording credits, and has appeared on national television, including a featured spot on MTV. He has performed at Walt Disney World and at the Lincoln Center Festival.  He currently resides in New York, where he teaches Djembe, performs with a variety of ensembles, and accompanies some of New York’s finest dance instructors

A national of Senegal, Medoune Yacine Gueye holds the distinct title "Master Drummer," having mastered several indigenous drum styles and rhythms including the Sabar and Sawrouba rhythms and djembe drum. Born in Colobane to a great griot, Mr. Gueye began his musical training under his father's tutelage. His professional career began with Les Super Ballets du Senegal, and as a member of the Theatre National Daniel Sorano he traveled extensively around the world. He formed his own company, Fara Lambe Coxan, and toured throughout West Africa. Currently, Mr. Gueye serves as the Musical Director of KanKouran Dance Company in Washington DC. KanKouran's and oversees the training of Company musicians.

Bli Bi Gore Eric was born to be a musician, and plans to use his gift to make a positive impact on the world. Beginning at the age of six, he studied for 10 years under the Master Drummer in his village in Djsanufla, Ivory Coast. He has over 20 years of drumming experience, with performances spanning across the United States, Europe, Africa, and South America. Currently, Bli Bi Gore Eric is a Musical Consultant with Folade African Drum & Dance Ensemble and a part-time Music Professor at Agnes Scott College, Georgia.