New African Dance School to launch dance classes

Adinkra dance school (ADS) is to launch African dance classes for children and Adults, in February, 2016.

Children and Adults will be taught traditional dancing using the school’s MAT strategy, which consists of Modern, Afrobeats dance and Traditional African dance techniques.

ADS is the brain child of Cilla Gyewu, Felix Lartey Cheetham and Mavis Osei. They spotted an opportunity to teach dances that they grew up learning and knowing.

Felix said: “Our dance classes will be exceptional because of the mixes of dances from different parts of Africa from Traditional to Modern.”

The name Adinkra comes from the Akan language, of the Ashanti tribe of Ghana, West Africa and represents visual symbols that represent concepts or aphorisms.

Cilla and Mavis said “We are all of Ghanaian/African heritage, and really wanted to share some of the rich African culture off to both children and adults, dancing seemed like the best way to do that, seeing as we all love to dance one way or the other.”

ADS dance classes does not only tap into cultural identity but also provides many health benefits.

Dancing improves our body by strengthening it, making the body more flexible, giving great posture and balance. It [Dancing] also keeps a child’s body and brains active, extremely vital for growing children.

Students will work individually and in pairs/groups and learn different traditional dance routines, mastering a routine before moving onto the next. Children will also have the opportunity to showcase their dance routines that they have learnt throughout the term.

North London Classes will be every Saturday from 20th February, 2016, in Woodhouse College Dance Studio, Woodhouse Road, Finchley N12 9EY. Time: 2-3pm.

West London classes will be every Friday from 19th February, 2016 in Oak Tree Community Centre, Osborne Road, Acton, W3 8SJ. Time: 4-5pm.

Adinkra Dance School. Both classes are £6 or 10 sessions for £50. Email adschooluk@gmail.com or call us for application form

Felix Lartey Cheetham, will be the lead choreographer, Felix danced with the National Dance Company, Ghana Dance Ensemble at the African Studies, University of Ghana. Where he was trained by the late Prof. Opoku and Prof. Nii Yartey, of the African Dance Legends.

Having travelled extensively in Africa (Namely Nigeria, DR Congo, Gambia, and South Africa) and Europe for dancing, Felix has taught dance in schools in London for the past 12 years.

Felix is also the lead choreographer of Miss Ghana UK, Cilla and Mavis are partners and are part of the team that manage the annual event, hosted in London in the late summer.