Balafon West African Dance Ensemble

How about a class or two???

Learn traditional African drumming with Balafon's community music classes at KST's Alloy Studios! ⁠
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Led by master musicians, percussion classes authentically access ‌the diverse sounds and polyrhythms of West Africa. Sessions will introduce a number of instruments from a range of rhythmic families– such as the djembe, doundouns, kutiro, and sabar drums, as well as the melodic balafon. All levels welcome.⁠
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Mondays, January – June, 2026⁠
6:15pm – 7:00pm⁠
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KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.⁠
Pay What Moves You: $5 – $15 (Drop-In) / $50 – $100 (Full Session)⁠
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Learn more and register for classes here: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/classes-workshops/ws26-balafon-music-class/
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Photo Credit: Daniel Abusuampeh⁠
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Get your Pittonkatonk on this weekend Friday & Saturday May 8 - 9!

Balafon is back and takes the stage Friday at 8 PM.

Hey Family!!!
No classes tonight, Monday 1/26/26, at
KST's Alloy Studios...
Stay safe, stay warm.

👋🏽Hey Fam!!!👋🏽
Tonight is the last class in our All Things Kutiro series🇸🇳... Get your dance on before our winter break...

We will see you in January for a unique experience.
Stay tuned😊

Every year, members of our Balafon family go back home to Guinea, and other parts of West Africa. This year is extra special...

Join us in supporting our Brother and Music Director, Fode Moussa Camara, and members of the Pittsburgh African Dance community as they present in celebration of our ancestors... His father, Badjiby Camara, our Uncle Oscar and our Mama K.

We do what we do in honor and memory of them and others who have gone to be with the ancestors.

Consider lending support to the artists in Guinea, whose music and dance traditions continue to cross the ocean and return again.

Donate to Support Namugni Faré: Celebrate some of Guinea's Legends, organized by Fode Camara The heartbeat of Guinea is calling the world to Conakry. On Janu… Fode Camara needs your support for Support Namugni Faré: Celebrate some of Guinea's Legends

Hey Family!👋
It's that time of year again for the Shona Sharif African Drum and Dance Ensemble's presentation of ✨Black Nativity✨. This year in collaboration with the Redwood Media Group, Black Nativity offers original music🎤, new choreography💃🕺, classic songs and familiar faces.

Our Balafon Sister, Chrisala, celebrates her 15th year as performer and choreographic support for the cast.

Congratulations to producers, Oronde Sharif and Maurice Redwood, and the cast and crew of Black Nativity Pittsburgh 2025.

If you're in the Philadelphia area this weekend, get ready for an inspiring opportunity! Our Sister Angelo-Sadio will be sharing her expertise at the Community Education Center, empowering you to make a positive impact. Check the flyer for details.

We're back in the studio tonight! 2 more classes until we take a break... See you on the Floor!

Will you take a minute this Giving Tuesday to support West African arts and culture in Pittsburgh? You count, and we're counting on you more than ever.

People like you—who believe in the power of music and dance to connect people—keep the arts thriving in our communities.

One step, one donation at a time.

🔗 https://www.givebigpittsburgh.com/organizations/balafon

Join us Mondays Dec 1, 8 & 15 to dive into the music and dance of southern Senegal, led by Balafon's own Dr. Kya Conner and "Papa Dame" Gueye on drums.

New to Community Classes KST's Alloy Studios? Balafon dance and music classes are open to all levels and ages.

All sessions are Pay-What-Moves-You thanks to a Mutual Aid Residency partnership with Kelly Strayhorn Theater and community supporters like you.