Biography

Formed in April 2007, Duniya Dance and Drum Company creates dance and music from Punjab, India, and Guinea, West Africa, as well as unique blends of these forms and beyond. The word duniya means “world” in a wide array of languages, including Punjabi, Arabic, Susu, and Wolof. Duniya’s work explores the forces—including, but not limited to, colonization, globalization, immigration, art, dance, music, and love—that have brought together the members of the company and their dance and drum styles. This performance marks the company's San Francisco Symphony debut. Born in the American South to parents from Northern India, Joti Singh is Artistic Director of Duniya Dance and Drum Company. Ms. Singh began her dance training in Punjabi circles, and later studied West African dance. She has participated in the CHIME mentorship program and has been an artist-in-residence at CounterPULSE twice, most recently in their Performing Diaspora program. Ms. Singh and her husband, musician Bongo Sidibe, lead annual trips to Guinea and recently opened the Duniya Center for Arts and Education in Conakry. She teaches all over the San Fraciscisco Bay Area, including Dance Mission Theater and the San Francisco School of the Arts.

(February 2019)