The Imani Dance and Drum Company, led by Harlina Churn-Diallo of Louisville and YaYa Diallo of Mali, West Africa, is made up of dancers and drummers of different African and African-American origins living in the Louisville area.
YaYa, a master drummer, is the co-author of the book The Healing Drum: African Wisdom Teachings. Harlina holds degrees in Pan-African studies and cultural anthropology. She has choreographed for various Louisville arts groups and is well known for her work with teachers, students, and young people.
For their appearance in “The Kentucky Collage” on In Performance, the Diallos performed with several young people from the company: drummers Terah Israel and Ethan Israel and dancers Ayana Kena Churn, Mone’t Bullard, and Danelle Wright. The Imani Dance and Drum Company also is featured prominently in KET’s instructional series DanceSense.
