Ammaya Dance & Drum is an ensemble of dancers and drummers who practice traditional West African and Afro-Caribbean dance and drumming in the New England area. This troupe includes master West African drummers, as well as a diverse group of professional American artists with a variety of dance and music backgrounds. The ensemble performs at concerts, school assemblies, festivals, parties, weddings and more. Ammaya presents the rich traditions of African rooted music and dance, then allows the audience to participate actively in the rhythms, movement and song. Their performances are full of spirit and fun for all ages and abilities, uplifting the hearts of their audiences.
4 reviews
Analisa S.
May 26, 2026Ammaya Dance and Drum visited my elementary school in CT and provided two different performances for our students! From the moment the students walked in, the energy was high and the engagement was even higher! The students LOVED the drumming and dancing! They loved it even more when several were invited to try drumming themselves! Learning about the various techniques and some of the background made it even more special! Thank you for a AWESOME experience!
Hired as: African Entertainment, Drum / Percussion Show
Mark
May 17, 2026Ammaya Dance & Drum was absolutely fantastic! Their performance was energetic, engaging, and incredibly professional from start to finish. The dancers and drummers brought amazing talent, authenticity, and excitement that truly elevated the event and kept everyone entertained. Communication was smooth, they arrived prepared and on time, and they created a memorable experience for all the students. Highly recommend Ammaya Dance & Drum for any event looking for vibrant live entertainment with cultural enrichment and history.
Hired as: African Entertainment, Drum / Percussion Show
Elizabeth M.
February 23, 2026Ammaya Dance and Drum exceeded our expectations! The troupe was an extremely professional group of dancers and drummers that filled our school auditorium with so much excitement and joy! The performance was carefully broken into segments to allow time for performance and learning and kept everyone's attention (even our youngest attendees) attention for a full hour. We would highly recommend an Ammaya Dance and Drum performance and hope to bring them back to our school in the near future.
Hired as: African Entertainment, Drum / Percussion Show
Michelle D. L. G.
January 27, 2026From the very first beat, they filled the room with joy, rhythm, and an incredible sense of community. Their performance was not only powerful to watch, but truly FELT, engaging the audience in a way that was inclusive, energizing, and deeply meaningful.
What stood out most was how interactive the experience was. Students and adults alike were on their feet, clapping, moving, smiling, and fully present. Ammaya created a space where everyone felt invited to participate, regardless of experience, and the energy in the room was electric. It was one of those rare performances where you could feel the collective joy and connection building in real time.
They were also a dream to work with: professional, warm, flexible, and clearly passionate about what they do. Their ability to blend cultural storytelling, rhythm, movement, and joy made the experience both educational and celebratory.
We could not have asked for a better way to bring our community together. I would enthusiastically recommend Ammaya Dance & Drum to any school or organization looking for a performance that is dynamic, authentic, and unforgettable. We can’t wait to work with them again.
Hired as: African Entertainment, Drum / Percussion Show
Price range: Contact for rates
Tara Murphy, principal dancer and director of Cape Cod African Dance & Drum, is originally from Washington, D.C. Tara grew up studying ballet and theater. She earned her B.A. in theater and religious studies at Yale University, where she also began studying African dance. At this time Tara began exploring her African heritage through African studies at Yale, and was awarded a fellowship to study traditional dance and drumming at the University of Legon in Ghana, West Africa. Since returning to the U.S., for the past 20 years, she has studied closely with many African and Afro-Caribbean artists in Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. Her primary mentors have been Issa Coulibaly and Joh Camara of Mali; Mohamed Kalifa Kamara of Guinea; Fatou N’Diaye and Astou Sagna of Senegal; and Jean Appolon of Haiti. In addition to African dance, Tara has also practiced yoga andmeditation since she was a child. Tara recognizes the practice of African dance and drumming as a tremendous force for healing, meditation, empowerment and community. It is her greatest honor to spread the inspiration of this ancient tradition.
Issa Coulibaly, master African drummer and music director of Cape Cod African Dance & Drum, began studying the djembe and dun dun when he was 11 in his home city of Bamako, Mali. As his skill and reputation as a multi-instumental player, vocalist and arranger grew, Issa toured Africa and Europe extensively before emigrating to America. He continues to travel widely to facilitate retreats and perform as the lead drummer and music director for a variety of African Dance and Drum troupes.
Cape Cod African Dance & Drum, including dancer Tara Murphy and master African drummer Issa Coulibaly, offer exciting performances for concerts, parties and festivals, as well as educational programs for school assemblies and family events. With highly favorable reviews, they have been presenting performances, assemblies and workshops regularly throughout Cape Cod and the New England area. By watching and participating, audiences have a rich and dynamic experience of the West African cultural tradition. They take something very special with them: African dance, rhythm and song!
African Entertainment
