Dr. Zak Diouf is the founder and director of Diamano Coura West African Dance Company. Born in the African nation of Senegal, Dr. Diouf received his Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from U.C. Berekely. Dr. Diouf has combined a brilliant career as a choreographer and performer with teaching. He has done 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, Dimension Dance Theater of Oakland, CA, Harambe Dance Company, a variety of dance companies in New York and Diamano Coura. Dr. Diouf's expertise has extended to consultancy on the Classical/African fusion choreography, "Lamberena" with the San Francisco Ballet, Ballet of Utah, Florida, Indiana, Singapore, and South Africa.

From 1958-62, Dr. Diouf was director of the Mali Ensemble, a multinational company representing the unity of the West African countries of Mali, Senegal and Guinea. He became director of "Les Ballets Africanes," in 1963 and later the Senegalese National Dance Company from 1964-68. In 1969, he joined the faculty of  Southern Illinois University while working with Ms. Katherine Dunham.Dr. Diouf's knowledge and expertise in African art and culture was so valued that in 1970 he wa among performers invited to the White House Conference for children. In June of 1996, Dr. Diouf was one amoung hundred drummers selected to attend the "World Drum for Peace Parade," in Atlanta Georgia as a prelude to organizing the opening of the Olympics.

  Since 1973, Dr. Diouf has taught at San Jose State University, Sonoma State University, University of San Diego, University of California at Los Angeles and San Francisco, and California State Hayward. Dr. Diouf currently teaches West African music, dance and history at Laney Community College in Oakland, is an Artist-In-Residence teaching free women's Sabar Drum techniques along with weekly classes in music and dance at the Alice Arts Center in Oakland, and does consulting and workshops in drum-making, choreography, African history and performing arts.