707 955-5780
I am an experienced arts educator, professional theater performer, circus artist, and sports coach with forty years experience mentoring youth k-12th and families in inner urban areas. I have taught theater arts including acting, clowning, juggling, stilt walking, jazz, tap, ballet, modern and West African Drumming/Dance, also various physical activities ranging from gymnastics to basketball, football and track.
We are launching #CommunityCulturalEnlightenment.
From an educators perspective, the authentic African story, if not the entire stories of the POC community has been omitted from the education system and replaced with many things that simply are not true. Therefore, by sharing and engaging in Community building Cultural offerings, we Enlighten those who participate, thus giving them the opportunity to learn and know these great joys for themselves.
I am listed in the Arts Education Resource Directory, partnered with Sacramento START and various school districts to produce performing arts programs which enlightened all.
Lions Den Education Institute Founder, Drummer, Dancer, Choreographer
Tyehimba Kokayi-Head Lion
At 15 in Oakland, I began taking formal dance classes, and by the age of 18 began my dance career while teaching gymnastics at a dance studio in Alameda, Ca.
My formal training expanded to include Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern and Dunham, while concurrently performing with the Oakland Children’s Chorus and The Oakland Youth Chorus. I later moved to Sacramento and began studying theater under the late great Dr Thomas Michael Gates, mentored in dance with James Wheatley of Celebration Arts and Pepper Von of Step 1 Dance Academy, choreographed with the Black Repertory Dance Troupe of UC Davis and began training in West African Dance with Linda Faye Johnson, Zak and Niaomi Diouf, the late greats Alasane Kane and Abdoulia Diakite by joining “CEEDO” (Chedo) West African Drum and Dance Troupe in 1986. I learned the Djembe and mastered it while completing ten years of rigorous training and founded Lions Den Entertainment, which was incorporate in 2002. Exactly 20 years later, in 2022, I established The Lions Den Education Institute, to further educate about West African culture. I also teach ZUMBA to encourage some form of movement. I received a Neighborhood Arts Program grant in 2006, began and served as President of The West African Drum and Drum Club at CSUS, from March 2007 until March 2008, hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ethnic Studies, minor in Dance, a Master of Arts Degree in Education. For 2023, I am a grant recipient and relocating the Den to a new area. Now it 2024 and we have found a New Home!
WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING AND DANCE
Give yourself the enriching opportunity to learn the fun filled, playful art and skill of West African Drumming and Dance in a safe and caring environment.
The Dynamic Drum and Dance Duo, Tyehimba Kokayi and Ben Professor Slaps Isaac's passion has led them to become the ONLY local Senegalese West African Drum and Dance instructors in Sonoma County. They supported and joined up with the Mendocino County Crew as Drum and Dance teachers there and realized our counties use a lot of the same survival skills as each other.
They have since gone on to train many children and adults in a variety of skills that range from just being a casual backyard drummer, to a well skilled professional performing artist.
This is a Family Affair... so come, be a part of the family and
"Get in da Den... the Lion's Den!"
Private Lessons Or Group Classes Available On Demand!
Call now, for rates and scholarships availabile.
Come Be Part of Our Community
LDE Institute is always looking to partner with like minded groups and individuals as we move to preserve and share the rich beauty, heritage and positivity of the experiences of people of color...
We look forward to passing on the enlightenment shared by our ancestors, as we continue to contribute to building caring, healthy, inclusive communities today.
Also Jazz Dance, Tap Dance and Zumba
WELCOME IN DA DEN!
We Found Our New HOME
The Scenic Russian River Is Our New Home!
Our West African drum workshops will soon be held in Guerneville CA.
We have found a space to offer our fun and exciting way to feel good, by exploring West African culture with challenging hands-on experiences drumming and dancing.
We teach how to use the drum and dance to create an energy circle that makes spiritual connections with the ancestors, other drummers and dancers to promote feelings of unity, community, and harmony, which improves character, self expression, self esteem, self confidence, discipline, focus, and determination thus increasing respect for family values.
The Lion's Den Education Institute (LDEI), offers a fun and exciting way to feel good by exploring West African culture and circus arts with challenging hands on experiences by teaching Drumming and Dance, Juggling, Acrobatics, Stiltwalking, and Klowing; thus improving character, self expression, esteem, confidence, discipline, focus, and determination increasing respect for family values.
LDEI offers a fully comprehensive Education Curriculum, as well as an Afterschool program that offers talented professional instruction in various circus arts skills including juggling, acrobatics, klowning, rope tricks, magic, balance board, wheel walking, stilt walking.
Success in school starts in the home with support of the family. We here at LDEI base our entire pedocological strategy on inter-generational family support, which is consistent with our traditional West African family consciousness.
The respect in the hierarchical structure of many traditional West African groups is employed here. The younger person always respects the elder even if they are only older by 1 day, 1 hour, 1 minute. The elder therefore has the responsibility to do the correct thing because the younger person is counting on their guidance.
