Faculty
FACULTY
DRIKA OVERTON
JAZZ TAP
Drika Overton brings her original style, choreography and indelible sense of musicality to her classes. Through slapping, clapping and tapping find your inner musician as you move gracefully through space.
A veteran tap dancer, Drika has studied with Honi Coles, Jimmy Slyde, Eddie Brown, Cholly Atkins, Keith Terry, and Brenda Bufalino among many others. As a long time producer and performer she has shared the stage with such notables as Jimmy Slyde, Savion Glover, Brenda Bufalino, Fayard Nicholas, and Bill Irwin and has collaborated with musical director Paul Arslanian creating works such as Clara's Dream A Jazz Nutcracker; Music Hall Follies: A Vaudeville in 9 Acts; and Off the Beaten Path A Jazz & Tap Odyssey.
She is the founder (1995) and producer of the Portsmouth Percussive Dance Festival and director of the new venue, The Dance Hall in Kittery, Maine.
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ELIZABETH FOWLER
WEST AFRICAN DANCE
Elizabeth has been dancing most of her life. With a BA in Dance Studies, from Connecticut College she was first introduced to West African Dance as a student in 1991 and was immediately hooked. Since then, she has studied with teachers from Guinea, Mali and Senegal and has traveled to Guinea to study dance intensively four times.
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NAMORY KEITA
WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING
Namory was born in Sangbarala, Guinea, and has been the lead djembefola for the village since 2006. He grew up drumming with his family and friends, including Nansady Keita and Solo Keita, and has studied and worked with his uncle, djembe-master Famoudou Konate as well. Namory has recorded CDs with Billy Konate and Diarra Konate, and has helped documentary film-makers to understand the life and music of Sangbarala and the Hamana region of Guinea.
Namory has hosted djembe and dunun workshops in Sangbarala and has taught and performed in Germany, Portugal, Poland, and France.
Namory has a team of skilled woodworkers making djembes and dununs for drummers all over the world. Namory is known for his love of his village, his respect for traditional music, and his infectious joy of life. The fact that he's a fabulous djembefola, generous teacher, and gracious host only adds to his charms!
JEN KAIN
SWING DANCING
Lindy Maine presents beginner and intermediate swing dancing at The Dance Hall! Lindy Hop is a Black American dance that was popularized in the late 1920s and is still danced today all over the world. You don't need a partner and you don't need any experience. Total dance newbies are welcome! Details and registration at https://www.lindymaine.com/
Jen of Lindy Maine teaches jazz-age dance styles including Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, solo vernacular jazz, and tap. She especially enjoys getting beginners addicted to swing dancing and can't wait to show you all the reasons why you'll love it!