Whitney McClusky
She/Her
A native New Yorker, Whitney began studying West African dance at the Djoniba Dance and Drum Center in New York. She studied with Master dancers from West Africa, including members of “Les Mervielles de Guinea” and “Les Ballets Africains.” Since then, she has had the opportunity to travel to Senegal and Guinea to deepen her knowledge of West African Dance and regularly attends dance master classes and conferences throughout the U.S. She has performed under the direction of William Atchouellou, choreographed for Dance in the Dark, Black Choreographers Evening, B-Girl Be, Choreographers Evening at The Walker and Rhythmically Speaking Presents. She has taught traditional Guinean movement to a diverse student body, including St Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts, Carleton College, and FAIR Arts School, leading community-based, all-ages classes and school residencies throughout the region. In 2007, she established “Duniya Drum & Dance,” a local performance group and organization that supports African drum and dance in the Twin Cities. As Director of Duniya Drum and Dance, Whitney shares her enthusiasm for traditional movement and community engagement with audiences of all ages during residencies and performances at regional festivals, park events, and at the Minnesota State Fair’s International Stage.