Lua Shayenne is a dedicated student of traditional Mandé dances and rhythms. Her workshops seamlessly integrate song, cultural insights, and live percussion, offering a thorough breakdown of each move to help you connect with the music, the culture, and your body.

Through the rhythmic pulse of live percussion, Lua invites you to celebrate your body’s connection to the Earth, embracing Breath, Ground, Inner Rhythm, and Flow. Together, we honour the spirit and energy within, while moving in harmony with the rich traditions of West African dance.

A finalist of the 2024 Muriel Sherrin Award and 2025 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prizes, Lua Shayenne, a dynamic creator, intertwines contemporary narratives through dance, song, and storytelling. Inspired by her African heritage and the Baha'i Faith, her art aims to ignite hearts and stir consciences, fostering dialogue and advocacy for ecological stewardship, social equity, and spiritual growth. She is the creator and performer of Yassama and The Beaded Calabash, a children’s dance-theatre production touring since 2023. Lua is also the artistic director and choreographer of Lua Shayenne Dance Company (LSDC) where she envisioned and launched the YENSA Festival, a biennial event celebrating the diversity of Black women dance practitioners. LSDC will soon premiere WAVES, a new dance film, alongside new stage works. Lua teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University/The Creative School and shares African dance, music, storytelling, and culture with organizations and schools across Canada.

This workshop is free for everyone to attend thanks to the support of Arts in the Parks program, funded by Toronto Arts Foundation in partnership with Toronto Arts Council and the City of Toronto.