2027 TRIP TO GUINEA
January 5th-February 5th
Begin the New Year in Guinea, West Africa -- the experience of a lifetime!
For the past 34 years, master dancer Youssouf Koumbassa has led Conakry's foremost dance-intensive cultural immersion workshop and has inspired countless devoted students with the vital rhythms and dances of Guinea's rich performing arts legacies. You will learn traditional dances and rhythms, and in addition you will be immersed in Guinea's rich culture and environment. You will meet people from around the world who share a love of the dances and rhythms of Guinea, and you will make friendships that last a lifetime. Youssouf welcomes you to his homeland and is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and non-competitive environment for all of his students.
We expect that much of the workshop will take place at Youssouf's lush, breezy patch of land on the outskirts of Conakry in Bentouryah, a peaceful village off the beaten path, featuring gorgeous mountain views and delicious palm wine.
Ready to register? Have questions?
Email khadijahkoumbassa89@gmail.com
Workshop Features:
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Intensive training with Youssouf in his world-renowned style
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Master classes with local teachers and members of Guinea's major dance companies
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Drum and song classes
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Doundounba and other performance and cultural events
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Excursions to local attractions such as Madina market, beaches and nightclubs
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Overnight trips to some of Guinea's natural wonders which include the tropical paradise of Roume Island and mountain waterfalls
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Accommodations and 3 meals every day
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Transportation
General Information
Classes begin Tuesday January 5th and run through Friday February 5th, 2027
Sample Daily Schedule, Monday to Saturday:*
8-9AM Breakfast
9:30-11:30AM Dance Class
12PM-2PM Lunch/Free Time
3-4PM Drum Class
4:30-6:30 Dance Class
7-8PM Dinner
* Excluding travel days. Sunday is a free day, with the option to pay for the community class offered to the public.
If your primary interest is drumming, Youssouf will bring in master drummers to teach classes. If you are an advanced student who would like to play for classes, contact us to apply. Youssouf must approve your application, and a discounted rate may be available.
Pricing
Packages include twice daily dance classes, one drum class (unless your primary interest is drumming -- see note above), room and board, three meals every day, airport ground transportation, and accommodations and travel costs for all scheduled trips. Pricing does NOT include airfare or visa fees.
4 weeks - $2,250
3 weeks - $2,000
2 weeks - $1,800
1 week - $1,200
Please note: while you may attend the workshop for 1 to 4 weeks, it is recommended that you come as early as possible to get the most out of your dance study. Most new dance choreography will be taught within the first 2 weeks of the workshop; subsequent weeks will build upon the choreography already taught, with new choreography added in occasionally.
Guinea Excursions
The workshop will include one to three trips to some of Guinea's most beautiful destinations.
Trip options may include:
2-3 days on Roume Island, a tropical paradise off the coast of Conakry where we can splash in the perfect ocean waves after dance class on the beach.
2-3 days in the small mountain city of Kindia with its cool nights, beautiful jungle waterfalls and stunning views. We'll explore Kindia's famous fabric market and have dance class in a giant bamboo grove.
2-3 days in the beautiful village of Boké, Youssouf's ancestral home.
All scheduled trips are subject to change
$500 non-refundable deposit is due as soon as possible. (PayPal to @youkoumbassa)
One half of total fees due by November 15th, 2027.
Balance due by December 15th, 2027.
Payment plans may be available.
10% OFF for deposits made by October 15, 2027
20% OFF for returning workshop participants
(Discounts are not to be combined.)
PayPal is the preferred method of payment. Contact us if you'd like to pay using a different method.
Refund Policy
$500 deposit is non-refundable.
All other cancellations made by December 1, 2027 incur a 50% cancellation fee.
After December 1, no refunds are available.
If the trip is canceled, all payments will be refunded.
Regarding Visas
Please be sure to get informed about all visa requirements, and leave ample time to get your visa as well as any necessary vaccinations. In the past it was possible, under the best of circumstances and with the payment of extra fees, to get a visa within 72 hours, but we don't know if that is still possible. Be proactive about getting your visa, to make sure you will be able to embark successfully on this wonderful adventure.
You can apply for an electronic visa on the official visa website for Guinea: https://www.paf.gov.gn/visa/
Check with the airline you will be flying on for information on the requirements for flying into Guinea, including visa and COVID-19 requirements. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Guinea.
If you are having difficulty, you can try calling the Guinean Embassy in Washington, DC 202-986-4300
We recommend signing up with the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP): https://step.state.gov/step/
Ready to register? Have questions?
Email khadijahkoumbassa89@gmail.com