G.O.R.E.E Drum and Dance

While focusing primarily on West African dance styles, GOREE DRUM AND DANCE weaves together the rich diversity of Balla & Serrita’s far-ranging experiences. GOREE DRUM AND DANCE is committed to honoring the traditions of their teachers, while bringing their own personal flairs that are truly invigorating and unique!

G.O.R.E.E. Drum & Dance (Giving Others Resources, Education and Empowerment through Drum and Dance) has been in existence since 2009 under the Musical Direction of Balla Sy and the Dance Direction of Serrita Sy. It has been recognized as one of Columbus' premier dance companies. One of their major accomplishments thus far has been being selected to perform for Dance Africa under the direction of Baba Chuck Davis. The members of G.O.R.E.E. Drum & Dance have very diverse dance, theatre and musical backgrounds. The dancers have worked and, or studied with Assane Konte, Marie Basse Wiles, Dame Gueye, Abdou Kounta, Babacar Ndiaye and many other native dancers of Africa. It is a requirement of G.O.R.E.E. Drum & Dance members to keep the authenticity of Traditional West African Dance alive and they do that through travels abroad to Senegal, West Africa of which they travel every two years where we train in this dance form for month.

Balla Sy was born in Senegal West Africa where at the age of 14 he discovered his passion for the Djembe. He has been an integral part of many companies, in Senegal West Africa (Ballet Bop, Ballet des Africain), in Ohio (Thiossane under the direction of his late uncle Abdou Kounta) as well as toured in Europe with Dogou Fana in 2000 and 2003 under the direction of his uncle Bilal Kounta. Balla has also been a featured artist for companies such as Kankouran, Dance Africa and Maimouna Keita’s annual conferences.

Serrita Sy is a native of Columbus, Ohio where she and has studied and performed Traditional West African Dance for the past 21 years and has had the opportunity to learn dances from Guinea, the Gambia, Mali, Senegal and the Ivory Coast. She was a member of Thiossane and also studied Tap and Jazz at BalletMet through Columbus State University.

They continue to service the community through community dance and drum classes which are held every Saturday from 4-5:30 at the Brentnell Recreation Center, 1280 Brentnell Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43219.