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916 620-5719

I am an experienced arts educator, professional theater performer, circus artist, and sports coach with forty years experience mentoring youth k-12th and families in inner urban areas. I have taught theater arts including acting, clowning, juggling, stilt walking, jazz, tap, ballet, modern and West African Drumming/Dance, also various physical activities ranging from gymnastics to basketball, football and track.

We are launching #CommunityCulturalEnlightenment.

From an educators perspective, the authentic African story, if not the entire stories of the POC community has been omitted from the education system and replaced with many things that simply are not true. Therefore, by sharing and engaging in Community building Cultural offerings, we Enlighten those who participate, thus giving them the opportunity to learn and know these great joys for themselves.

I am listed in the Arts Education Resource Directory, partnered with Sacramento START and various school districts to produce performing arts programs which enlightened all.

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Lions Den Education Institute
Tyehimba Kokayi-Head Lion
Founder, Drummer, Dancer, Choreographer
Keeper of "The Sacred Drum"

At 15 in Oakland, I began taking formal dance classes, and by the age of 18 began my dance career while teaching gymnastics at a dance studio in Alameda, Ca.

My formal training expanded to include Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern and Dunham, while concurrently performing with the Oakland Children’s Chorus and The Oakland Youth Chorus. I later moved to Sacramento and began studying theater under the late great Dr Thomas Michael Gates, mentored in dance with James Wheatley of Celebration Arts and Pepper Von of Step 1 Dance Academy, choreographed with the Black Repertory Dance Troupe of UC Davis and began training in West African Dance with Linda Faye Johnson, Zak and Niaomi Diouf, the late greats Alasane Kane and Abdoulia Diakite by joining “CEEDO” (Chedo) West African Drum and Dance Troupe in 1986. I learned the Djembe and mastered it while completing ten years of rigorous training and founded Lions Den Entertainment, which was incorporate in 2002. Exactly 20 years later, in 2022, I established The Lions Den Education Institute, to further educate about West African culture. I also teach ZUMBA to encourage some form of movement. I received a Neighborhood Arts Program grant in 2006, began and served as President of The West African Drum and Drum Club at CSUS, from March 2007 until March 2008, hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ethnic Studies, minor in Dance, a Master of Arts Degree in Education. For 2023, I am a grant recipient and relocating the Den to a new area. Now it 2024 and we have found a New Home!

Rhythmic Body Movement class

This fun class provides a meditative somatic healing experience for all skill levels. You decide how gentle or how lively your body needs to Move in this hour. Enjoying world beats, we will stretch and dance and explore delightfully fascinating ways our bodies move in sync with nature.

Complimentary for hotel guests.

Location

Meet @ Grove Lobby

16467 CA-116, Guerneville, CA 95446

Also Jazz Dance, Tap Dance and Zumba

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