Balbancha dance weekend

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of African Diaspora dance at "Balbancha Dance Weekend," showcasing the rich diversity and powerful legacy of movement traditions spanning the African Diaspora. From the soulful dances of Haiti to the contagious energy of New Orleans Bounce, this celebration honors the deep cultural ties that unite us through rhythm, movement, history, song and story.

Featured Dance Forms:

Afro- Haitian Dance- Taught by Nadia Dieudonné

Afro-Cuban Dance-Taught by Emilio Gonzales Hernandez

West African Dance- Taught by Zakya Cornish

New Orleans Second Line Aesthetic- Taught by Michelle Gibson

New Orleans Bounce- Taught by Iman Keilah

Through this weekend, we connect the past and the present, inviting dancers and audiences to celebrate the spirit of the African Diaspora. Whether through the powerful storytelling of Haitian and Cuban culture, the explosive energy of Bounce, or the rhythmic pulse of West African and Second Line traditions, "Balbancha Dance Weekend" brings together the many voices and bodies of the Black experience in a celebration of heritage, resilience, and community.

Come celebrate, dance, and honor our shared roots!

  • Executive Producer

    Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kelly Seph White is a performer, choreographer, researcher, and dance educator. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.A. in Dance Education from New York University.  She is the mother to a bright and beautiful daughter named Morgan.  In 17 years of living in New York City, Kelly had the honor of studying under the great Jean Leon Destine, Baba Richard Gonzalez, Nia Love, Ron K. Brown, Nadia Dieudonne, and Aussettua Amor Amenkum.  She was also honored to have trained and performed at the American Dance Festival, Plaza Cuba, New Waves Trinidad, Bates Dance Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow.  Ms. White has performed with Ase Dance Theater Collective, Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective, Kwame Ross's Prophecy Dance Works, and Nia Love’s Blacksmith’s Daughter.  Her choreography has been performed in venues and productions such as the 92nd Street Y, Psychotherapy Network Association Conference, Mixed Flava’s Performance Series, Dance Africa, Feast: A Yoruba Project, and Voices of Congo Square New Orleans where she also served as the Associate Director.

    Ms. White is a second-generation educator who has brought the art form of dance to a host of colleges and public schools located in Florida, Cuba, Louisiana, Georgia, California, Mississippi, Vermont, Texas, New Jersey, and New York.  In 2017, Kelly co-founded and is the Director of EVOLVE Diaspora, where she creates weekend intensives, cultural immersion trips, and community classes for professional dancers, researchers, scholars, and educators to intensely study dances of the African Diaspora. Currently, she is on staff teaching African Diaspora Dance Styles at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and is the Director of Education at Young Audiences of Louisiana.

  • Organizer

    Ferneasa Cutno was born and raised in New Orleans, LA, and graduated from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. She is a classically trained dancer with expertise in various styles. With over 25 years as a professional dancer, educator, choreographer, and teaching artist and 28 years as a studio owner, she has made her mark on stage and screen. Ferneasa's career has transitioned to arts and education administration.