Ilana Moon and Alseny Diallo teach students how to master the pulsating rhythms of African drums and dance in their weekly classes at Dancing Moon Multicultural Arts Company. Though Ilana started dancing at the age of five, she discovered African dance when she was 12 and has honed her skills since then. Currently a professional dancer in the Zimbabwean troupe, Jambanja, she also teaches hip hop, traditional African dance, and Afro-belly dancing to students aged 4 and older, because she believes it is important for young dancers to gain core strength and flexibility before they learn where Santa really lives. Alseny’s talent as a percussionist grew from a life studying the traditions of his people in Guinea. He has been the lead soloist djembe player in ballets since the age of 12, and has graduated to the rank of artistic director of several ballets, including Le Ballet Taille, which took part in government project La Tour Federale. Dancing Moon’s in-house troupe Kikeyambay also gives live performances of Guinean dance and drumming at festivals and concerts.