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Steamboat Springs — Within the last two years Steamboat Springs has seen an increase in the amount of African master teachers coming here to teach dance and drum classes.

"In just over a year, this is the fifth opportunity for dancers to work with teachers from their indigenous country," said African dancer Candice Lombardo. "Before it was once or maybe twice (a year), and usually teachers were coming up from Boulder and not coming from way far away."

There will be an African dance class for all levels offered on Tuesday by Djeneba Sako from Mali. Dr. Djo Bi, from the Ivory Coast, will teach a drum class on Tuesday and Thursday.

Lombardo thinks the surge in master teachers coming to Steamboat can be attributed to the strength and growth of our African dance and drumming community.

"The African dance scene is getting really strong, which is how and why we are getting these great teachers here," she said. "It becomes this incredible cycle that repeats itself. Word has spread so we get more teachers coming and more dancers involved."

There is a core group of dancers that have been keeping the movement going.

"We're really an off-the-map spot to be hitting," Lombardo said. "They are making a point to come here because they know how committed our African dance scene is. And we can keep it affordable through Colorado Mountain College."

Different levels of African dance classes are offered at CMC, and it's not too late to sign up for the spring semester.

"If you can't commit, these (master) classes are a great way to try it out one time with people from their original country," Lombardo said. "Dr. Djo Bi is one of the best djembe drummers in the US right now."

Taking a class from a master is a great way to learn the art form.

"You can learn from the master and not just the Anglo Saxon here in Steamboat," Lombardo said. "Masters are highly trained individuals who have been doing their art their entire life. They come out of their indigenous countries and bring their culture and their art to Western countries such as the US and Europe."