Director and Lead Drummer of Duniya Fode hails from Guinea, West Africa and has been recognized internationally for his work as the lead drummer with the acclaimed ensembles “Les Merveilles de Guinée” and the national ballet of Guinea, “Les Ballets Africains”. A protege of the late, Mohamed Kemoko Sano, Fodé is now one of the most respected and sought after drummers of his generation and is currently based in the Twin Cities. Highlights of his career include opening for Damian Marley at The Apollo Theater, featured spot on MTV for Black History Month and recording with Trey Anastasio of Phish. Fode is a 2020 McKnight Fellowship recipient
Whitney McClusky
Artistic Director
Director and choreographer of Duniya Whitney began her study of African dance at The Djoniba Dance and Drum Center New York with Master dancers from “Les Mervielles de Guinea” and “Les Ballets Africains”. Since then she has had the opportunity to travel to Senegal and Guinea to deepen her knowledge of West African Dance and currently teaches at St. Olaf College and Carleton College, as well as offering weekly community dance classes.
Alhassan Bangoura
Dancer/Choreographer
Lead Dancer and Choreographer, Duniya Drum & Dance Sana left Guinea and joined his brother Fode in Minneapolis in 2015 after serving as Assistant Director and Principal Dancer under Les Ballet Africains dancer, Sorel Conte, in his Conakry-based group, Wassasso. Sana is a 2024 McKnight Fellowship recipient.
Fara Bangoura
Drummer
Fara has been drumming and performing since he was 5 years old under the tutelage of his father Fode Bangoura. Proficient on both djembe and doun doun Fara also plays drum set and krin.
Melissa Clark
Dancer
Originally from Indiana Melissa began studying dance at the age of two. She has actively trained, studied, and performed various art forms in Twin Cities for the past eleven years. Her background includes: Capoeira, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Samba, Afro-Brasilian, Afro-Cuban, West African Dance from Ghana and Guinea, as well as Traditional Haitian Dance. Melissa is a 2019 McKnight Fellowship Recipient
Stefani Thomas Graddy
Dancer
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA Stefani has been dancing more than 30 years. She has trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, house and West African. For 10 years she was a member of Bmore Houseful a house dance company founded and directed by Esperonto Bean in Baltimore, MD and for 8 years she was a member of Coyaba Dance Theater a West African dance company in Washington DC founded and directed by Mama Sylvia Soumah. She continuously seeks inspiration from artists who are committed to maintaining the authenticity of their art forms.
Cynthia Matthews
Dancer
Born and raised in South Minneapolis Cynthia took her first dance class at the Children's Theatre Company at the age of 5. She is a founding member of Duniya Drum and Dance and has also studied and performed with Mesoghios (Madison, WI), William Atchouelou, Hayor Bibimma Dance Company, and the Sumunar Dance Ensemble.
