About Camara Drum and Dance
In December of 2007, Yamoussa Camara moved to Pittsburgh and formed Camara Drum & Dance. Through performances, classes, and workshops, Yamoussa has brought the music and dance of Guinea and West Africa to Pittsburgh and the tri-state are.
Yamoussa Camara
Born in the village of Boke, Guinea, West Africa in 1966, Yamoussa Camara took to his drum at an early age. During his sixteen year association as first student then protege of Mohamed Kemoko Sano, choreographer and artistic director of both national companies, Djoliba and Les Ballets Africains, plus founder and director of Les Merveilles d'Afrique, Yamoussa had the distinction of being the youngest lead drummer in Les Ballets Africains. While with the national companies he toured Europe, Africa and the United States. His drum is featured on the CD's Master's of the Forest, Diya, Eh Allah, and both CD and video of Les Ballets Africains’ performance in England.
In 1995, Yamoussa immigrated to the United States. Since that time he has performed with numerous companies, including Wosa of Washington D.C. on their Taiwan Tour, an eclectic group of artists at S.O.B.™s in New York City, and a jazz ensemble in New Haven, CT. He taught drum and dance at Yale University for 10 years and has traveled the U.S. teaching, performing, choreographing and polishing presentations for various dance ensembles.
Yamoussa currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA where he teaches the Pitt African Drum and Dance Ensemble at the University of Pittsburgh and West African dance at Point Park University. Yamoussa also teaches drum and dance classes and workshops for adults and children, and performs with various ensembles in addition to his own ensemble Camara Drum and Dance.
Classes & Workshops
Yamoussa is available for drum and/or dance classes and workshops at schools, colleges, universities and community organizations and events in and around Pittsburgh.
In addition, Camara Drum and Dance offers classes for the general public at various times throughout the year. When a public class is available, you will see it here.
For more information, please use the contact form below.
Performances
Camara Drum and Dance is available for performances in the Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. Camara drum and dance performs the music and dance from Guinea and West Africa.
For more information, please use the contact form below.
