About Us

Dedicated to performing, teaching and celebrating drum and dance of the African diaspora.

Lannaya Drum & Dance (Lannaya)is a nonprofit 501 c(3) organization formed in 2000. Our mission is to expose and educate audiences to authentic and progressive interpretations of drum and dance of the African diaspora. The bulk of our performance repertoire features rhythms and dances of Guinea, located in West Africa.

We are committed to sharing the vibrant cultural traditions of West Africa through performances and education. Our public programming includes: K-12 interactive school shows; educational workshops; festival appearances; public performances; programming for parties, receptions galas, and a host of special events. In the Su Su language of Guinea, Lannaya means “confidence.” It’s what we seek to express in our work and instill in audiences through a variety of programming suitable for small/large audiences, and diverse facilities, including:

Rhythm & Movement of West Africa! interactive on-campus school show for grades K-12. 

Residency (2-week minimum) drum/dance intensives.

African Diasporic Drum/Dance Workshops, technique and community building.

Drum/dance performances of traditional and innovative African diasporic rhythms.

Since 2008, we’ve performed statewide for Texans in their own communities, via selection in the highly competitive Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA)’s Touring Artist Roster. Grants from the TCA could cover up to 50% of Lannaya’s total fee! TCA’s Arts Respond Performance Support grants provide support to nonprofit organizations in Texas interested in booking Lannaya and other artists from the TCA Touring Artist Roster. This means that these grants are open to schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to hire artists like Lannaya. Support is based on TCA’s available funds. Contact us to learn more!

We regularly perform and/or teach on campuses throughout the Austin and Central Texas area, especially elementary and middle schools. Book us here!

A selection of our arts partners, some Austin and Central Texas venues we’ve performed in, and a few festivals are detailed in the next few sections below.

Community Partners

Venues Where We’ve Performed/Taught

We’ve opened for international headliners like Grupo Fantasma (Grammy award winning 9 piece Latin-funk and cumbia powerhouse from Austin, TX).

Selected Festivals:

 

 

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

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What People Are Saying

Check out Lannaya’s Calendar >