Thiossane West African Dance Institute History

Suzan Bradford Kounta has been living and working in the King Lincoln neighborhood her whole life. She grew up there and attended East HS under the famous principal, Edward Willis. She was instrumental in the restoration of the historic Lincoln Theater and became its first managing director. In 2019, after ten years, she was promoted to Executive Director. This theater has brought audiences from across central Ohio, with programming centered in the African American artistic voices and aesthetics. She has curated international dance and business partnerships with several companies in the US and abroad.

The Lincoln serves as the headquarters of the Thiossane West African Dance Institute, which is over 20 years old. Suzan serves as the co-founder and Artistic Director of its dance company, which provides training and performances for its members. It also hosts community classes for recreational dancers of all ages. Suzan’s work with the Lincoln and Thiossane has created a rich focus of dance engagement with West African dance in central Ohio. She has been a major dance leader in our community.

Thiossane (pronounced cha- sahn) was formed with the express purpose of bringing authentic West African cultural representation to a variety of local, national, and international communities. Thiossane introduces the richness of West African culture through dance and music to create a space of learning and growth in traditional African culture.

 Purpose is to introduce, increase, and enhance cultural awareness to better understand and appreciate the richness of the African Diaspora.

Mission is to preserve and present traditional West African dance, music and culture by providing authentic performances and detailed instruction; to perpetuate its significance to future generations; and to create a lifestyle of physical and mental wellness.

 Senior and junior companies are available for professional presentations, lectures and demonstrations, dance and drum workshops, educational programming, community collaborations, and university enrichment and consulting.

Abdou Kounta, Music Director

Abdou Kounta, a master drummer, international instructor, and renowned musician of traditional West African music, has mastered the djembe (jim bay) drum during his ten-year reign with the National Ballet du Senegal in West Africa. The ballet traveled extensively throughout the world as ambassadors of the arts, under the Presidency of Leopold Senghor. Upon arrival in the United States, Mr. Kounta and Mr. Assane Konte’ founded and directed the nationally known Kankouran West African Dance Company in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Kounta retired from the company in 1992 and relocated to Columbus, Ohio where he continued his art form teaching in arenas at community venues, schools, several state universities, state institutions, museums and various conferences. Mr. Kounta has given instruction to and made cameo performances in the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Arizona State University, the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra, the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance, and the Kankouran West African Dance Company. He has also appeared in Woodstock, NY, Tokyo, Japan, and Negril, Jamaica. Mr. Kounta has also successfully instructed the YWCA African Beginnings Dance Program during seven annual concerts.

Abdou Kounta was an Artist in Residence with the Ohio Arts Council and Adjunct Faculty member at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH. Mr. Kounta’s traditional teaching and presentation is uncompromising in the preservation of traditional West African dance and music. His masterful hand is sought after throughout the U.S. His philosophy states “If one doesn’t know where he/she’s been, one doesn’t know where he/she is going. However, the Arts can be that direction.”

Artistic Director, Suzan Bradford Kounta

Suzan Bradford Kounta, dancer, instructor, and choreographer of traditional West African dance, began her dance training in Columbus, Ohio at an early age. Bradford Kounta was Director of Youth Services at the YWCA for fifteen years. While there, Mrs. Bradford Kounta developed and implement programs for youth to promote social and personal development through African dance and music. Youth were immersed in techniques, rhythms, and language in addition to attending culturally based, educational, and engaging conferences.

Along with programming, Bradford Kounta choreographed, directed, and produced annual concerts with the YWCA Ensemble.

Mrs. Bradford Kounta offers instruction at community centers, state universities and institutions, treatment programs, public and private schools, conferences and local venues. Mrs. Bradford Kounta developed and implemented staff training for Columbus City Schools on Intergrating the Arts in the Classroom and has completed training through the Greater Columbus Arts Council on incorporating the academic standards in its school based arts programs. Bradford Kounta’s annual travels to West Africa keep her abreast of the latest dance styles and its incorporation into traditional techniques and appropriateness of its influences.

Bradford Kounta was an Adjunct faculty member at Antioch College and The Ohio State University, and guest artist and instructor at Denison University. She serves as board member of Ohio Dance, Ft. Hayes Advisory Board, and the Near Eastside Roundtable. Bradford Kounta is the first General Manager of the newly renovated, historic Lincoln Theatre and oversees all programming and theatre operations.

Suzan is President of the Thiossane Institute and Artistic Director of the Thiossane Institute West African Dance Company. (TWADI)

She co-founded and lead Thiossane since its inception in 2000 with her beloved husband, Abdou Kounta. The company thrives on being Columbus’ premier traditional West African Dance Company that provides authentic performances and detailed instruction to all ages and all people. The company celebrated 15 years of presenting and preserving traditional dance, music and culture with its debut production of Allandar; The Epic of Sundiata.

Presenting Traditional African Dance, Music, and Culture

Members of the 12 year company are comprised of pre-professional and professional performers whose passion for dance and culture serves as a catalyst in implementing the mission of Thiossane Institute. Members are dedicated to the study and authenticity of their respective art form. Our performances are full-scaled presentations complete with authentic attire, original songs and dedicated musicians. The presentation begins with a drum call and explanation of the dances and their origins through narration and print. Our artistic outreach entities include dance workshops with instruction of basic movement and introduction of dance origins. Both provide an opportunity for participants to understand the language of the music as it relates to the movements. Lectures and demonstrations enlighten the audiences on the historical significance of African dance and drum, particularly those of West Africa. The presentations are flexible to allow for Q&A following 60 – 90 minute programs.

Using Cultural Awareness to Strengthen the Future

The junior company is designated for students in grades 3-12 to introduce, increase and enhance cultural awareness through traditional African dance and music. This program has proven to spark an interest in continued dance and music studies, which helps build the student’s self-esteem, confidence, coordination, discipline, and social and life skills.

The Thiossane Institute caters to the overall development of young people into productive, well-rounded, respectable individuals. The participants of this program are introduced to the art form of traditional African dance and drum. The program operates on the basis of traditional African values and morals that encourage academic success and social balance. The youth are given information that connects them with both the richness of African Diasporic culture and its significance to their daily lives. The youth who are engaged are able to refine self-discipline through repetition, which impacts their academic development and personal behaviors. The participants adhere to the expectations and practice core values that translate into success throughout their lives.

The junior company has graduated several students who study with local companies, participate in local performances and productions, and nationally recognized university dance troupes and musical groups. However, our greatest accomplishment is that all our of participants graduate high school and pursue, attend and graduate college.

The members are invited into the company through the training program where they are immersed in the traditions of the African culture. Members adhere to set of values that govern the company and their daily lives (Appropriateness, Respect, Knowledge, Excellence, Adaptability, and Restraint). The company is available for performance, lecture demonstrations, workshops, and classes.

Milestones

1968-76

Abdou Kounta, a master drummer, international instructor, and renowned musician of traditional West African music, has mastered the djembe (jim bay) drum during his ten-year reign with the National Ballet du Senegal in West Africa

1983-92

Mr. Kounta and Mr. Assane Konte’ founded and directed the nationally known Kankouran West African Dance Company in Washington, D.C.

1992

Mr. Kounta retired from the company and relocated to Columbus, Ohio where he continued his art form teaching in arenas at community venues, schools, several state universities, state institutions, museums and various conferences.

1988-2005

Bradford Kounta was Director of Youth Services at the YWCA for fifteen years.

2000

Suzan co-founded and lead Thiossane Institute West African Dance Company. (TWADI) with her beloved husband, Abdou Kounta.

2000-2001

Suzan is President of the Thiossane Institute and Artistic Director of the Thiossane Institute West African Dance Company. (TWADI)

2005

Junior Company started.

2002-2006

Bradford Kounta was an Adjunct faculty member at Antioch College.

2002-2003

Suzan was guest artist and instructor at Denison University

2007-2010 & 2017-2020

Bradford Kounta was an Adjunct faculty member The Ohio State University, Department of Dance.

2009

Suzan becomes General Manager of the King Lincoln Theatre, Thiossane becomes resident company at the King Lincoln Theatre.

2019

Suzan promoted to Executive Director of the King Lincoln Theatre.

International Companies and Partnerships: