Our story
Since 1998, Djoniba Dance & Drum Kids, founded by Mr. Djoniba Mouflet, has provided a unique program that offers children ages 3-14 years old an intensive curriculum of Afro-House, African dance, and music classes, regardless of their experience. One of Mr. Mouflet's goals is to pass the torch of artistic excellence and community spirit to children from different backgrounds. Djoniba Dance & Drum Kids is committed to inspiring young people: our mission is to develop the star in each child and make them shine. Kids respond naturally to African dance with live drumming. Studying and performing dance and drum will help them understand the rewards of hard work and discipline, in addition to giving them a sense of community and values that will be reflected in all aspects of their lives, especially academics.
Age Groups • Class Description • Instructors
Age 4-7
Creative dance drum
MON & WED: 3:45pm - 4:30pm
This class is uniquely designed to channel the high energy of this age group in a positive and expressive way. We will encourage little ones to explore fun, energetic movements and dance, such as African dance and others, and will foster the creative imaginations of the kids, pushing them to create their own movements on the beat. Children will also learn to play different rhythms on the drums available in the class.
Age 8-12
DANCE TO LIVE DRUMS
MON & WED: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
AFRO-HOUSE
SAT: 11:00AM - 12:00PM
In our “Dance to Live Drums” class, children will be taught various dance styles, such as African, House, and Hip-Hop, and improvisational movements, accompanied by live musicians. One of the goals of this class is for children to learn to dance on the beat.
Age 13+
AFRO-HOUSE
MON & WED: 5:30PM - 6:30PM
Our Afro-House class is a blend of House Dance, Hip-Hop, and African-based movements to the sound of house music. Here, students can build confidence and improve rhythm while having a great time with peers. Beginner and experienced students are welcome.
The class
Our Teaching Principles
The class starts with a fun improvisation segment, followed by some stretching, and finally, we teach a few African dance steps. We also teach simple acrobatics such as forward rolls and cartwheels.
A unique aspect of the class is our LIVE drumming where we also teach children to listen and feel the rhythm so that they may learn to be on beat. The skills they learn in African dance classes will help them excel in music classes and other dance classes such as hip-hop, tap,modern etc…
our Instructors
Our experienced teachers, including Mr. Djoniba Mouflet himself, have extensive backgrounds in dance instruction and performing. We require them to teach dance to our little ones while keeping in mind the psychological needs of the children, as well as their overall artistic goals and progress. Our teachers keep the class fun but disciplined. The first few classes focus on helping the children feel comfortable in their new environment with other children and with the teacher. As we go deeper into the semester, our teachers change the focus to learning more intricate dance steps, reminding the children of the future program performances and showcases, where they will perform in front of their families. This challenge keeps them motivated and eager to excel!
our founder & director: djoniba mouflet
Djoniba Mouflet is an internationally-acclaimed drummer, dancer, teacher, performer and choreographer as well as a musical producer, writer and composer. Born in Martinique, he spent many of his early years in Senegal, Mali, and Guinea, West Africa, where he studied with renowned dance and musical masters in small villages as well as in professionally-staffed schools and companies, including Mudra Afrique, Ballet Foret Sacre, Ballet Meissa, Ballet Conakry and the National Ballet Africain of Guinea. He also studied ballet at Dance Theater of Harlem, and is trained as well in modern dance, jazz dance, music theory and acting. In the Spring of 1993, founded the Djoniba Dance & Drum Centre, the first and largest African and Pan-African Dance & Music School in the U.S. Mr Mouflet, also founded in 1993, the Djoniba Dance & Drum Kids, dedicated to bring together young people from all diverse background, and to develop the star in each child and make them shine.
