About
MISSION
To introduce a consistent, professional level of African dancing and drumming to Russia by inviting and collaborating with recognized teaching artists from Africa and its music and dance tradition. To introduce dundun dance, "ballet style", and others, to Russia for the first time. To unify the African drum and dance movement in Moscow.
Baarakan ( "the sound of work" in Malinke language) is a collective of artists dedicated to the dissemination and performance of West African traditional music led by Luke Konden.
Hailed as one of the most exciting new djembefolas bursting on the international scene, Luke Konden is a drummer and educator with more than 15 years of experience working and performing with both children and adults. Born with an innate musicality fostered by the rich musical inheritance of his birthplace of Naples, Italy, since a very young age Luke has been on the stage performing. He soon became attracted to djembe music, which for him revealed his path. He apprenticeded djembe and dundun music in Guinea, West Africa (where he returns on a regular basis) with the foremost exponents of this art, Fadouba Oulare’ and Famodou Konate, rehearsing and performing at the same time with world renown ballets Percussions de Guinée; and in New York City with “teachers of teachers” Laurent Camara, M’Bemba Bangoura and Vado Diomande from the Ivory Coast. He soon developed his own style which has set him apart and has established him as one of most esteemed soloists in the U.S.
Venues and events where Luke has performed and accompanied classes include Aaron Davis Hall with Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater School, NY City Center, Wofabe African Dance Festival, Newark, NJ, Maimouna Keita Dance Conference and the New York Fringe Festival among many others, as well as internationally in Europe, South America, and the U.S. As a recording artist, he has been singled out for his exuberant playing in West Africa, and he is the only Westerner appearing on the 2006 BBC West African Music Radio Special, which aired around the world. He was in charge of the scenes featuring drumming for the 2011 Hollywood film The Beaver, where he can be seen teaching Hollywood star Mel Gibson. He is also arranging and recording his first solo CD which hosts some of the top talents of West African music in the United States.
Since relocating to Moscow, Luke has started the Baarakan school, which is one of only two schools connected to the true African tradition in the whole of Russia, and which hosts its yearly festival with master artists invited from Europe and Africa.
Luke Konden has taught, facilitated and performed djembe internationally, both privately and in workshops in Europe, South America, and the U.S. With a B.A. and additional extensive background in theater and the performing arts, Luke Konden is also fluent in Italian, French, Spanish, and Malinke. This international and dramatic flair, along with his unique musical vision for both children and adults, makes him a very sought-after teacher and performer in the drumming and dance community.