Heidi + Oumar Keita

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: heidiwaegele@gmail.com
Phone: 9165328678
Organization (if applicable):

BACKGROUND
Art Form: Dance/Creative Movement
Experience:
-Privately studied dance in Guinea west Africa with members of Ballet Saamato for 6 weeks.
-Has been a dancer and teacher for 20+ years.
-Has participated in Guinean dance camps and has helped sponsor visiting teachers.
-Went to Guinea twice and traveled within the county.

RAPID-FIRE Q/A
Three words to describe you? Fun, articulate, organized.

What was your first arts "aha" moment, including how old were you? My first arts “aha” moment was watching my sister dance on national tv at Disney World. Her dance teacher, Patti Baker (and later mine) won the National Teachers award. They students went to Florida for her to accept the award. At that point, I knew I wanted to dance all through high school. I was about 11.

Why are you a teaching artist? I believe that through dance, one can learn about culture. This exposure can help create a more just world.  

In five words or less, why do you love your art form? It is representative of a culture

Finish the sentence: "Because of Arts Ed..." Students get more opportunities for enrichment

What does success look like during your residency? students learning about another culture while having fun through dance

What’s an important life skill you gained through the arts? Working with others

Who is an artist that changed your life? Manimou Camara

If you were entering a talent show, what would be your specific talent? I would play the piano

Do you have a secret (or not so secret) obsession? Gardening

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: Oumar31keita@gmail.com
Phone: 4065522011
Organization (if applicable):

BACKGROUND
Art Form: Music
Experience:
-In Guinea, I was a member of Ballet Saamato and Wofa Percussion.
-Worked in schools to share the arts.
-In Guinea, many art forms go together- Music, Dance, Storytelling, Song. I am well versed in all.
-I am multilingual.
-Can play many traditional instruments.

RAPID-FIRE Q/A
Three words to describe you? Experienced, warm, easy-going.

What was your first arts "aha" moment, including how old were you? My first “aha” moment was learning to sing with my mother, who was a dancer in a local ballet. I would go to her rehearsals with her too. I was about 5.

Why are you a teaching artist? To share my culture

In five words or less, why do you love your art form? It makes me happy

Finish the sentence: "Because of Arts Ed..." Children become smarter

What does success look like during your residency? That students have fun

What’s an important life skill you gained through the arts? Responsibility

Who is an artist that changed your life? Mamady Keita

If you were entering a talent show, what would be your specific talent? Magic trick

Do you have a secret (or not so secret) obsession? Soccer

Hailey Faust