The ANWS Artist-In-Residence program was initiated in Spring 2007 with Abdoulaye Diallo, master-drummer and dancer as the first appointee. The program is aimed at boosting the curriculum in performance studies. Mr. Diallo teaches classes in West African and African Diaspora music, dance, and drumming, and supports the program in its outreach activities. Through him, the program acquired ten new djembe drums from Mali in Spring 07 with two dundun drums on the way.

Mr. Diallo was born in Bamako, Mali, where he began his professional career as a Master Drummer and West African dance teacher. Under the encouraging indulgence of his mother and aunt, Mr. Diallo won several local drumming and dancing competitions and began training professionally with Seyba Coulibaly, Namory Keita, and Seydou Coulibaly. He has danced professionally with numerous companies including Troupe Sokolo, Artistic Troupe de District of Bamako, and Groupe Kantisse in Mali, and Troupe Sewa, New Works/World Traditions, Babemba,Troupe Baden’ya and Komi Josei in the United States. After pursuing an impressive film career which included a starring role in Papoufa, Mr Diallo relocated to the United States. Currently, Mr. Diallo teaches West African dance and drum classes, choreographs, and conducts workshops and outreach program in Broward County and Miami area schools, colleges and universities, and community centers.