Niche has been studying traditional West African dance under the tutelage of Mama Kadiatou Conte and Mohamed DaCosta both from Conakry, Guinea, West Africa for 7 years. She is a principle member of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble and performs extensively around the country. After relocation to Charlotte, NC, she cofounded SHAE Movement African Arts, a cultural entity dedicated to “Sharing the Heart of African Energy through Movement” to the Charlotte community and abroad. She currently teaches a weekly traditional West African dance class and is often contracted to teach workshops nationwide.
Niche has had the privilege of taking many sabbaticals to Africa to learn more about the culture firsthand traveling to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Mali and Guinea. This includes the opportunity to train with the prestigious Les Ballet Africains, the National Ballet of the Republic of Guinea. Outside of dance, Niche is currently a School Counselor and PhD candidate. Through her work, she is devoted to keeping the arts alive by exposing youth and adults to African culture through song, dance, and drum. In her free time, she enjoys running, laughing, spending time with her family and friends, and enjoying life.