Kenna-Camara Cottman

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Kenna Cottman has been dancing, studying, teaching and organizing in the Minneapolis area for over 20 years. Her main area of focus is Black Dance, with an emphasis on West African and Hip Hop dance and culture. Kenna has been learning about West African dance from her family and community her entire life. Kenna started teaching West African dance when she got "the nod" from Youssouf Koumbassa, a master touring artist from Guinea. Kenna currently teaches West African dance around the Twin Cities with various arts in education organizations, and directs Voice of Culture Drum and Dance in Minneapolis.

Dear Ms. Kenna, THANK YOU so much for an outstanding residency.  The kids are feeling so excited about dance, and physical expression and cultural connections.  We are only sorry that you can't stay longer.

Ruth Krider, Teacher, St. Anthony Park

Kenna is such an engaging teacher, she has kids dancing that I never thought would get up and move.

Grace Ellefson, Teacher, Birch Grove Elementary School

Programs offered by this artist/ensemble

Performance

Voice of Culture
Voice of Culture is a collection of artists dedicated to the study of West African arts and culture.

Residency

West African and Hip-Hop Dance
I teach traditional African songs and dances in an easygoing, interactive format—all the time giving background cultural information in the form of engaging stories and folktales.

Workshop

Journey Into Black Dance
Kenna Cottman takes students on a journey through the evolution of the dance of African and African-American people.