Co-founder and Artistic Director of Thiossane West African Dance Institute, Suzan Bradford Kounta is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer of traditional West African Dance. She began her dance training in the Columbus area of cultural arts at an early age. Her passion for dance radiated during her four years at Norfolk State University in Virginia where she served as dance captain for the university’s dance theater. After completing college, Mrs. Kounta traveled to Senegal, West Africa to study dance, music and culture. Following her return, she secured a position with the YWCA of Columbus where she manages an African dance program for the youth aged 4-18 years. In her fifteen years there, Mrs. Kounta has instructed and choreographed for several in-school and after-school programs in addition to directing and producing annual concerts with the YWCA African Beginnings Children’s Dance Ensemble. Mrs. Kounta’s teaching venues have included community centers, state universities, treatment centers, public and private schools, special populations, and conferences. She also held a six year position at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Biannually, Mrs. Kounta returns to Senegal to continue studying the traditions of West African Dance. She currently serves as the first General Manager of the newly renovated historical Lincoln Theatre, and is thrilled to be playing such an active role in the Columbus dance community.
Suzan’s piece for the 2018 Brazil Tour Group, titled Tiriba, features traditional drumming by Kevin Seals mixed and mastered by DJ Krate Digga. “Tiriba” is a traditional dance form from Guinea West Africa that celebrates the successes achieved from life’s challenges. Its blend of Caribbean flavors of both dance and music acknowledges the migration of musicality through the use of traditional instruments. The music travels all the way from Guinea to the Caribbean, intertwining with the variety of movements and techniques being performed by the dancers onstage. Their costumes recreate traditional West African styles to complement their techniques, flavor, and fun!
Dance Brazil 