Thiossane (pronounced cha- sahn) was formed with the express purpose of bringing authentic West African cultural representation to a variety of local, national, and international communities. Thiossane introduces the richness of West African culture through dance and music to create a space of learning and growth in traditional African culture.
Our purpose is to introduce, increase, and enhance cultural awareness to better understand and appreciate the richness of the African Diaspora.
Our mission is to preserve and present traditional West African dance, music and culture by providing authentic performances and detailed instruction; to perpetuate its significance to future generations; and to create a lifestyle of physical and mental wellness.
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Our Junior and Youth companies are available for professional presentations, lectures and demonstrations, dance and drum workshops, educational programming, community collaborations, and university enrichment and consulting.
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The Thiossane Institute is dedicated to serving communities that are often overlooked and lack
exposure, particularly focusing on the youth. Our commitment is to showcase and safeguard
traditional dance, music, and cultural practices. We aim to highlight the importance of these
artistic forms and utilize their profound value to foster personal and societal growth among
young individuals. In an era where young people are increasingly engaged with technology and
gaming, a noticeable decline in physical activities and creative pursuits has emerged. Thiossane
stands as a pillar in the community, offering a holistic approach that benefits both families and
aspiring young artists. By doing so, we are confident that we will expand our reach and
positively influence more youth through the Institute’s educational philosophy. Our curriculum
introduces cultural awareness, the kinesthetic understanding of music, and the expressive
power of dance.
The current offerings feature engaging classes in community dance and drumming for young
individuals, focusing on traditional rhythms and movements. These students also delve into the
world of storytelling and visual arts, while being introduced to tools that foster social and
emotional learning. Apprentices within the performing company will dive deep into the cultural
significance of their art, learning how to be performance-ready, developing leadership skills,
and growing personally and socially in ways that are appropriate for their age. Recognizing the
barriers of racial and economic disparities, disabilities, and geographic limitations, the Institute
has intentionally designed its programs to be accessible. Scholarships are available, and fees are
set at a minimum to ensure affordability for families with multiple children.
Artistic Director, Suzan Bradford-Kounta
Suzan Bradford Kounta, dancer, instructor, and choreographer of traditional West African dance, began her dance training in Columbus, Ohio at an early age. Bradford Kounta was Director of Youth Services at the YWCA for fifteen years. While there, Mrs. Bradford Kounta developed and implement programs for youth to promote social and personal development through African dance and music. Youth were immersed in techniques, rhythms, and language in addition to attending culturally based, educational, and engaging conferences.
Along with programming, Bradford Kounta choreographed, directed, and produced annual concerts with the YWCA Ensemble.
Mrs. Bradford Kounta offers instruction at community centers, state universities and institutions, treatment programs, public and private schools, conferences and local venues. Mrs. Bradford Kounta developed and implemented staff training for Columbus City Schools on Intergrating the Arts in the Classroom and has completed training through the Greater Columbus Arts Council on incorporating the academic standards in its school based arts programs. Bradford Kounta’s annual travels to West Africa keep her abreast of the latest dance styles and its incorporation into traditional techniques and appropriateness of its influences.
Bradford Kounta was an Adjunct faculty member at Antioch College and The Ohio State University, and guest artist and instructor at Denison University. She serves as board member of Ohio Dance, Ft. Hayes Advisory Board, and the Near Eastside Roundtable. Bradford Kounta is the first General Manager of the newly renovated, historic Lincoln Theatre and oversees all programming and theatre operations.
Suzan is President of the Thiossane Institute and Artistic Director of the Thiossane Institute West African Dance Company. (TWADI)
She co-founded and lead Thiossane since its inception in 2000 with her beloved husband, Abdou Kounta. The company thrives on being Columbus’ premier traditional West African Dance Company that provides authentic performances and detailed instruction to all ages and all people. The company recently celebrated 15 years of presenting and preserving traditional dance, music and culture with its debut production of Allandar; The Epic of Sundiata.
Abdou Kounta, Music Director
Abdou Kounta, Music Director
Abdou Kounta, a master drummer, international instructor, and renowned musician of traditional West African music, has mastered the djembe (jim bay) drum during his ten-year reign with the National Ballet du Senegal in West Africa. The ballet traveled extensively throughout the world as ambassadors of the arts, under the Presidency of Leopold Senghor. Upon arrival in the United States, Mr. Kounta and Mr. Assane Konte’ founded and directed the nationally known Kankouran West African Dance Company in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Kounta retired from the company in 1992 and relocated to Columbus, Ohio where he continued his art form teaching in arenas at community venues, schools, several state universities, state institutions, museums and various conferences. Mr. Kounta has given instruction to and made cameo performances in the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Arizona State University, the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra, the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance, and the Kankouran West African Dance Company. He has also appeared in Woodstock, NY, Tokyo, Japan, and Negril, Jamaica. Mr. Kounta has also successfully instructed the YWCA African Beginnings Dance Program during seven annual concerts.
Abdou Kounta is an Artist in Residence with the Ohio Arts Council and Adjunct Faculty member at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH. Mr. Kounta’s traditional teaching and presentation is uncompromising in the preservation of traditional West African dance and music. His masterful hand is sought after throughout the U.S. His philosophy states “If one doesn’t know where he/she’s been, one doesn’t know where he/she is going. However, the Arts can be that direction.”
The Staff
Artistic Director/Co-founder Suzan Bradford-Kounta
Assistant Artistic Director Quianna Simpson
Music Manager Kevin Seals
Rehearsal Captain Ami Kounta
Company Liaison Lori Lindsey
Thiossane Institute is grateful for the commitment of our board and their contributions.
The team, composed of individuals with a connection to Thiossane, either as past or present
artists, will be crucial to the rollout of our advanced youth programs. Their professional
expertise will contribute to the administration and programming efforts necessary for the
Institute’s operations, including the development of new concepts. Our board of directors,
which includes experienced seniors, dynamic young professionals, and international
consultants, will focus on strategic comprehensive planning and leadership to ensure that we
stay true to our mission and continue to innovate. Additionally, parent and community
volunteers will bolster our operational capacity to accommodate an increasing number of
participants. The volunteers will aid in marketing, client relations, website management, and
the enhancement of our visibility and communication efforts.
Thiossane Institute is deeply grateful for the public support we have received to upgrade our administrative practices, to ensure our long-term sustainability.
Larry and Donna James | Kathy and Fred Rancier | Barbra and David Brandt
Thiossane Institute holds the conviction that the arts are a harmonizing force in the world’s
energy. We maintain that the arts are crucial in driving social justice forward. Our programs are
inclusive, extending a warm welcome to all youths, especially those with unique learning needs,
physical disabilities, and those on the ADHD and autistic spectrum. We take pride in having a
member with Down Syndrome who has been an active performer for over 12 years.
Feedback from numerous parents indicates that our learning environment is both conducive
and supportive, tailored to each child’s individual way of learning. Our participant base is
diverse, encompassing a variety of ethnic backgrounds, ages, genders, and abilities.
Thiossane Institute has also catered to the elderly in our community through programming
offered at our rented facility. We stand firmly dedicated to the principles of equity and
inclusion for everyone engaged with our organization.
Using Cultural Awareness to Strengthen the Future
The youth company is designated for students in grades 3-12 to introduce, increase, and enhance cultural awareness through traditional African dance and music. This program has proven to spark an interest in continued dance and music studies, which helps build the student’s self-esteem, confidence, coordination, discipline, and social and life skills.
The Thiossane Institute caters to the overall development of young people into productive, well-rounded, respectable individuals. The participants of this program are introduced to the art form of traditional African dance and drum. The program operates on the basis of traditional African values and morals that encourage academic success and social balance. The youth are given information that connects them with both the richness of African Diasporic culture and its significance to their daily lives. The youth who are engaged are able to refine self-discipline through repetition, which impacts their academic development and personal behaviors. The participants adhere to the expectations and practice core values that translate into success throughout their lives.
The youth company has graduated several students who study with local companies, participate in local performances and productions, and nationally recognized university dance troupes and musical groups. However, our greatest accomplishment is that all our participants graduate high school and pursue, attend, and graduate college.
The members are invited into the company through the training program where they are immersed in the traditions of the African culture. Members adhere to a set of values that govern the company and their daily lives (Appropriateness, Respect, Knowledge, Excellence, Adaptability, and Restraint). The company is available for performances, lecture demonstrations, workshops, and classes.
Presenting Traditional African Dance, Music, and Culture
Members of the 23 year company are comprised of pre-professional and professional performers whose passion for dance and culture serves as a catalyst in implementing the mission of Thiossane Institute. Members are dedicated to the study and authenticity of their respective art form. Our performances are full-scaled presentations complete with authentic attire, original songs and dedicated musicians. The presentation begins with a drum call and explanation of the dances and their origins through narration and print. Our artistic outreach entities include dance workshops with instruction of basic movement and introduction of dance origins. Both provide an opportunity for participants to understand the language of the music as it relates to the movements. Lectures and demonstrations enlighten the audiences on the historical significance of African dance and drum, particularly those of West Africa. The presentations are flexible to allow for Q&A following 60 – 90 minute programs.
Thiossane has consistently prioritized the needs of underserved communities. From our
inception, we have been dedicated to supporting these groups, recognizing that by investing in
them, we unlock their potential, cultivate excellence, and crucially, meet fundamental human
needs. For over twenty-three years, our program has operated in urban areas, specifically
aiding young individuals in residential complexes and the neighboring localities. These very
youths have grown with our program and are now staff, artists, and educators.
Want to collaborate with the Thiossane Institute? Book us today!