Help with Sidiki's Healing Journey
We are fundraising for our dear teacher, dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater, Sidiki Boze Sylla. Sidiki is a living library of traditional West African dances and rhythms and has shared his talent, spirit, and joy with Vermont for the last 25+ years.
We have just learned that he has been diagnosed with cancer. He is undergoing chemotherapy treatments and will have a prolonged period where he will be unable to work or teach.
Sidiki Boze Sylla was born in Conakry, Guinea to a Wolof Mother and Sousou Father. He was around music from a young age, accompanying his sister to her daily rehearsals from the age of nine. He participated in and won many local competitions in Guinea until ultimately he joined one of the two top National Ballets of Guinea, Ballet National Djoliba. He toured extensively, peforming throughout West Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and across the US. In 1997 Sidiki moved to the US and became the Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer for Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater. He has since taught in Universities, public and private schools, summer camps, and other events across New England, in addition to choreographing and leading the Vermont Annual West African Dance and Drum Festival.
We are asking the West African Dance and Drum community to rally around him during this time of need. We want to provide the peace of mind that financial stability can give while he undergoes these treatments.
Sidiki has given so much to this community, Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum theater would not have existed without him. Please spread the word and show your Love.
