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Drum

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Dance

Take your drumming and dancing to the next level!

There’s no better way to improve your dancing and drumming skills than by going to the source- Guinea, West Africa. Through classes, celebra-tions, and ceremonies, students will increase their musical, kinesthetic, and cultural understanding of Guinean music and dance. Immerse yourself in Guinea’s rich culture on this study tour led by Mandjou Mara, master drummer and griot, and Maya Kadakia dancer, choreographer, and teacher.

The TripStudents spend two to four weeks (12/18/13 - 1/11/14) living in Guinea with Mandjou Mara and his crew. Classes run five days per week and in-clude dance and drum instruction. Students wish-ing to focus on drumming are suggested to play for dance classes to learn how to play for dancers and to increase stamina. Weekends are generally reserved for excursions, attending celebrations and ceremonies, visiting markets, going to tradi-tional and contemporary dance parties, and re-laxation.

Check out our website to see videos!

Be in Mandjou’s music video!This year only, students may audition to be in a video for Mandjou’s new album Toumboussoury! Students may also attend Mandjou’s concerts!

Watch our trip videos!Trip Info.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVUsZIMJGF4Instructor Biography ANSU KABA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVUsZIMJGF4

Instructor Biography DJENAB KABA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktPmF29lv-8

"Traveling to Guinea fulfilled a lifelong dream for me. I could not have asked for more kind and genuine hosts than with Maya and Mandjou. Their combined efforts ensured that each traveler could witness the beauty of Guinean culture respectfully. A day did not go by that I was not in awe of this amazing country. The people, the car rides, the music, the discotheques, the food, the friendships - I loved it all! I took equal pleasure in getting to know my travel mates and getting to know my Guinean "family."  I am already planning next year's trip!" -M. Hobrla, drummer

“The most invigorating part of the Guinea trip was the ENERGY that the drummers and dancers radi-ated during our classes and their performances. It was amazing how alive I felt all day every day, even when we were just relaxing.”

-M. Graham, dancer

“Visiting Guinea gave me a much deeper under-standing of how music and dance fit into the lives of the people there. A few of my most treasured

memories: listening to quiet n'goni mu-sic in the courtyard at night, drumming at a safnamalo wedding, and lis-tening to Mandjou's new album blasting in the car as we zipped around town. Going to Guinea was one of the high points of my life thus far and I strongly encour-age others to make the trip with Mand-jou and Maya!”

-A. Kansteiner, drummer

Drum and Dance Study Trip in GuineaWeekday Schedule*

Time Activity

8AM-8:30AM Breakfast

8:30AM-10AM Drum Class

10AM- 12PM Dance Class

12PM-2PM Lunch/Break

2PM-3:30PM Drum Class

3:30PM-4PM Break

4PM-6PM Dance Class

6PM on Dinner/Free Time

*times are approxi-mate

Trip Leaders: Mandjou Mara and Maya Kadakia

Mandjou Mara, native of Guinea, grew up drum-ming and singing in Guinea’s performing groups. He is an engaging performer, and a patient and skilled instructor. Mandjou resides in Madison, WI with Maya Kadakia, teaching, performing, and sharing his knowledge of Guinean music and tradition.  He lives by his idea that: There are no boundaries in the language of music.

Fees$500 per week includes room and board, classes, airport pick up, and excursions. Airfare is not in-cluded. A deposit of $400 is due by October 10, 2013. Refunds will not be given within 30 days of the departure date. The remainder is due on December 5, 2013. See website for discounts and specials!

Travel Arrangements and VisasStudents are expected to arrange for their own flights and email their itinerary to mandjoujembefolas@yahoo.fr A passport (valid for 6 months beyond the end of the trip), visa, and yellow fever vaccination card are required.

More Information: 608 609 2014www.mandjoumaradjembefola.com

ClimateWarm days and cool nights are perfect for studying drumming and dancing! December and January are during Guinea’s dry season, which means lower heat and humidity. Temperatures are in the 80s F during the day and the 70s F in the evenings.

ExtrasStudents may take advantage of other opportunities for additional fees: clothing tailored specifically for you, ordering drums and other instruments, private classes including n’goni, batik, and balafon, and extended stay.

MealsThree homemade Guinean meals will be provided daily. Let us know your dietary needs.

LodgingStudents will share rooms in a clean, simple, home.

ExcursionsGuinea is full of beautiful natural areas including beaches, waterfalls, forests, and islands. Students will visit one or two locations based on the duration of their stay. Possible destinations include: Kindia, a village famous for its waterfall and indigo fabric, and islands Roume or Kasa, or other villages.