West African dance company Sebé Kan brings dancers of all ages to Portland stage

Derrell Sekou Walker teaches West African dance to elementary and middle schoolers at two Portland public schools. He loves his job, but as the founder and artistic director of Sebé Kan Youth African Dance Company, he is bringing his love of this art form — along with the feelings of joy and freedom it inspires — to the larger community. He first formed Sebé Kan more than 20 years ago, but since 2018, he’s been focused on teaching the dance traditions from Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast and other West African nations to children and youth. On May 16, the company will present a one night only, multigenerational dance performance and concert called “Mobaya: A Coming of Age” at Portland’s Newmark Theatre.  

Walker joins us, along with his wife Karida Walker, who is a dancer in the troupe; and high school senior Nylah Jae Holt, who has been dancing with Sebé Kan since she was 8 years old.