Denise Bey, African Dance.  Tucson, AZ  |  2022

Denise Bey began studying traditional West African dance at age 14 with Ladji Camara who arrived from Guinea with Les Ballets Africans. She also studied under M’Bemba Bandoura, Youssouf Koumbassa, and Ligia Barretto. Hailing from a family of artists, Denise is also well-versed in the doctrines of the Orisha, which she learned from her father, Chief Bey, and Christianity from her mother.  Denise also danced as part of Stevie Wonder’s Inner Square Circle tour in 1986, and was invited to teach for Ismael Ivo in Germany. She worked with apprentice, Jacob Davis, to investigate African music and dance – traditions that slavery and oppressive forces tried to take from African Americans.