Dancing in Benin and Mali

Joan van der Mast – who has been working as a teacher for over twenty-five years at Rotterdam Dance Academy, where she studied to become a teacher of dance herself – has been to Africa three times in the recent past. Twice to Benin (in 2008 and 2010) and once to Mali (in 2010). As a trainer, for Le Grand Cru Foundation.

In October 2009 the Dutch embassy in Benin, together with the Dutch Foreign Ministry and DOEN Foundation, granted a subsidy for a dance training programme by Le Grand Cru in collaboration with Compagnie Walô in Benin and the Conservatoire des Arts et Multimédia in Mali. Through this interregional programme, consisting of workshops in dance technique, composition, didactics, marketing and light design, and many performances, Le Grand Cru is able to stimulate the development of professional dance in the region with its trainers.

Joan van der Mast: ‘In Benin I have worked with dancers of Compagnie Walô to train them to become dance teachers, so they can earn a living with their profession. I also did technical trainings with them and we worked on improvisation and musical awareness.’ Laban’s movement analysis proved very useful in this, according to Joan.

In March 2010 the first performance of Léwé ou l’enfance de l’art by Compagnie Walô was staged, a production in which approximately 60 children participate. ‘This production then went on tour throughout the country,’ says Joan. ‘It was also performed at school yards in slum areas, attracting crowds of 2000 people sometimes. And in all those places small dance groups were formed afterwards.’

Last May, Joan has taught dance students of the Conservatoire des Arts et Multimédia in Mali for ten days. ‘Technique and improvisation/composition, and didactics as well to the most talented students. They now work together with the best dancers in Benin.’

Joan van der Mast (left) at work in Benin.