Anssumane
Silla
Artistic Bio
An
accomplished dancer and drummer, Anssumane Silla began performing at the
age of 11 in his native Guinea Bissau. He has danced professionally for over 18
years with the National Ballet of Guinea Bissau. He was also a member of the
contemporary dance troupe, Africa Estranha. With these ensembles, he performed
for ambassadors, presidents and other international dignitaries and for the
public throughout Ginnea Bissau. He has also performed in Mali, Senegal, The
Gambia, South Africa and Libya.
While
working with African Estanha, Mr. Silla performed pieces that address strife
and suffering, including abuse of power and inequitable access to clear water
and other vital resources, in Guinea Bissau, which has been torn apart by coups
and political violence for decades.
Since
arriving in Philadelphia in 2008, Mr. Silla has toured numerous states,
performing as a dancer and drummer with the African Cultural Arts Collective aka the "Voices Of Africa Choral & Percussion Ensemble. He has been a featured artist for the
Pennsylvania Humanities Council Humanities on the Road initiative, and a
choreographer for the Kulu Mele African Dance
Ensemble. In addition to teaching traditional (Bijagos, Balanta, Fula, and
Manjaco) and contemporary dance styles from Guinea Bissau, he teaches a range
of other West African dance styles in studios and schools in various
Philadelphia neighborhoods.
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