Biography

Born in the village of Boke, Guinea, West Africa in 1966, Yamoussa Camara took to his drum at an early age. During his sixteen year association as first student then protege of Mohamed Kemoko Sano, choreographer and artistic director of both national companies, Djoliba and Les Ballets Africains, plus founder and director of Les Merveilles d'Afrique, Yamoussa had the distinction of being the youngest lead drummer in Les Ballets Africains. While with the national companies he toured Europe, Africa and the United States. His drum is featured on the CD's Master's of the Forest, Diya, Eh Allah, and both CD and video of Les Ballets Africains’ performance in England.

In 1995, Yamoussa immigrated to the United States. Since that time he has performed with numerous companies, including Wosa of Washington D.C. on their Taiwan Tour, an eclectic group of artists at S.O.B.'s in New York City, and a jazz ensemble in New Haven, CT. He taught drum and dance at Yale University for 10 years and has traveled the U.S. teaching, performing, choreographing and polishing presentations for various dance ensembles.

In 2007, Yamoussa arrived in Pittsburgh, PA and formed Camara Drum & Dance, an exciting company of musicians and dancers, to spread the joy that is West African music and dance to all. Yamoussa currently teaches the African Drum Ensemble at the University of Pittsburgh and West African dance at Point Park University.  

Courses

MUS 0660 — African Drumming Ensemble

Pitt African Music and Dance Ensemble (PAMDE) introduces students the music and dance of Guinea and West Africa. The class focuses on different styles of drumming, other forms of percussion, song, and dance. Through the music and dance, students learn about the culture of West Africa.