The traditional and modern festivals of Guinea have inspired Norma Schulz to intensively study the dance and music of this country. On her annual trips to Guinea, Norma has participated in festivals, and studied with ballet teachers (Fanta Kaba, Marie Bangoura, Doussou Kourouma) of the highest quality, and now brings this aspect of Guinea to enthusiastic students of all levels in Germany and Poland. Norma has also studied with renowned international dance teachers in Europe (Koffi Koko, Germaine Acogny, Norma Claire) to couple her knowledge of traditional West African dance movements with an understanding of the modern and European styles.

Norma has extensively travelled through Hamana in Upper Guinea, studying the music and dance figures of the traditional festivals of the Malinke, and also the relationship of the dance figures to the bodily movements of the people in everyday life. She is interested in more than just the steps themselves, but is keen always to learn the complete background behind a particular dance, including the traditional songs, and also the music itself. Norma plays the djembe and bass drums at an advanced level. She has been able to participate actively in many festivals, and has also engaged local dancers to teach her the traditional steps and figures of numerous traditional dances.

Norma is an enthusiastic and engaged teacher, who endeavours to teach the finer points of Guinean style dance to all her participants. She is able to teach everyone in a group, so that each individual is challenged and gets the most out of every lesson. All Norma’s workshops are accompanied by a full live ensemble because she believes that the connection between dance and music is so intrinsic.