SANKOFA Virtual Programming Series
As we embark on our 51st year, Ko-Thi Dance Company continues to embody the Sankofa principle of acknowledging the past and building the present to prepare for the future. Our intrinsic value lies in the amazing generations of master teachers, performance artists, staff, and community members who have shaped this entity committed to the advancement of African Diasporic dance and music. As these uncertain times continue to highlight the role of the arts in facilitating social change, we are delighted to present the Sankofa virtual programming series, debuting June 19, 2020. The Sankofa series highlights current and former ensemble members as they discuss Ko-Thi’s role in their lives, focusing on the personal reflections of adult, Ton Ko-Thi, and alumni ensemble members and celebrating the artistic heritage and historic ties of legacy and mentorship within our beloved organization.
June 19, 2020
Join KTDC Artistic Director DeMar Walker for a short lecture honoring Juneteenth's ancestral connection and the holiday's relationship to the artistic and spiritual work of KTDC. (Features recent concert footage)
July 3, 2020
Join KTDC Associate Artistic Director Sonya Thompson and her daughters,  Ton Ko-Thi Children’s Performing Ensemble members Ne'Vaeh Brown and Kiomara Thompson, for a West African dance class. Sonya will also discuss how Ko-Thi has shaped her idea of legacy and how she passes it on to her children.
July 17, 2020
Join KTDC Alumni Linda Lacy-Hodge and Phaleshia Pinder-Fearen as they share some of their most candid moments, the life lessons they’ve gained while being in the company, and the overall impact of KTDC on their personal and professional health.
July 31, 2020
Join KTDC Musical Director Kumasi Allen and Ton Ko-Thi Children’s Performing Ensemble members Royce Clinton and Judah Gowie for DrumTalk, a djembe ensemble curriculum class inspired by the methods & techniques of master musician Mor Thiam. Kumasi will also discuss the importance of carrying the tradition of mentorship provided to him to the next generation of musicians.
August 14, 2020
Join KTDC Artistic Director DeMar Walker and Ton Ko-Thi Assistant Adrean Maxwell for an intimate conversation about race, gender, character, and navigating the social pressures of being Black male performance artists doing African diasporic dance.
June 5, 2020
Special thanks to Tisiphani Mayfield, the Gowie Family, the Clinton Family, and the Terrell Family for their participation!
