916 620-5719
LIONS DEN EDUCATION INSTITUTE
Founder, Drummer, Dancer, Choreographer
Keeper of "The Sacred Drum"
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!
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.
NOW TAKING ON NEW CLIENTS ... Summer Special!!!
SACRED DRUMMING
Learn to play and open a channel to your ancestors
PRIMAL DANCE
Learn to Dance in such a way to connect with you ancestors Spirit
Cultural Spiritual Healing
Learn to Heal Your Cultural Spirit by tapping into the wisdom of your DNA
Lifestyle Improvement
Learn to improve your Life
Style With Inner Rejuvenation
Rhythmic Body Movement class
This fun class provides a meditative somatic healing experience for all skill levels. You decide how gentle or how lively your body needs to Move in this hour. Enjoying world beats, we will stretch and dance and explore delightfully fascinating ways our bodies move in sync with nature.
Complimentary for hotel guests.
Location
Meet @ Grove Lobby
16467 CA-116, Guerneville, CA 95446
Also Jazz Dance, Tap Dance and Zumba
Choose your path
SACRED DRUMMING
300$Valid for 3 months- THE DJEMBE' SPIRITUAL HEALERS DRUM
PRIMAL DANCE
300$Learn to Dance the Primal YouValid for 3 months- THE DJEMBE' SPIRITUAL HEALERS DRUM
WOMEN'S WORKSHOP
100$Every monthPerfect For Learning How to Find an UpLeveled Man or For You To Learn To Uplevel Your ManValid for 3 months- weekly discussion on how to be Up Leveled Women
SPIRITUALLY HEALING MASSAGE
85$Every weekPerfect for those looking for quick "Pick Me Up!Valid for 2 weeks- 60 Minute Full Body Massage
MENS WORKSHOP
100$Every monthPerfect For Men Looking To Level UpValid for 3 months- weekly discussion on how to be men
SPIRITUAL HEALER APPRENTICE PACKAGE
2,000$+$100 SPIRITUAL HEALIN APPRENTICEGet connected with your inner healer and speak its voice with the Djembe'- THE DJEMBE' SPIRITUAL HEALERS DRUM
SPIRITUAL HEALING
300$Learn To Heal Your SpiritValid for 3 months- THE DJEMBE' SPIRITUAL HEALERS DRUM