Meet Tinka Barnes of Charlotte African Drum and Dance Collective

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tinka Barnes.

Hi Tinka, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
West African dance is a fundamental part of my origin story. I didn’t start back in my hometown of Compton, CA. I started and was introduced to West African dance in 1998, back in Kansas City, MO, during my first year of medical school. A friend challenged me to attend a community class taught by the talented Vanessa Gibbs, and I said yes. I was immediately in love with the live drums, this style, the energy, and the culture that was presented to me by Mamma Gibbs. I was asked to audition for SoundZ of Africa dance company under the masterful direction of Baba Danny Diallo Hinds of Barbados. This is a subdivision of the Traditional Music Society under the direction of Bird Fleming.

We would rehearse and take a class at least three days a week. Bobby Danny Diallo Hinds had an extensive background in the formation of a dancer. He studied with the historical figure Katherine Dunham and toured, learning multiple dance styles, including jazz, modern, tap, Afro-Caribbean, and West African. I was able to soak up the knowledge of not just these different dance styles but also how to use the body to express emotion and color. We talked about the all-important topic of fueling your body with clean energy. A dancer must preserve their instrument by eating healthy. Alongside my studies for medicine, I treated my education in West African dance just as seriously. I gave the same intensity, tenacity, and passion to studying dance as I did to my studies to become a physician. Because of that, I said yes when my friend Karen Darlington Phelps Esq. came to me with the idea of forming a new dance company in Charlotte. I couldn’t imagine letting the teachings that I received from my first dance mentors die with me. They were a fundamental part of how I was able to navigate the stress and the ups and downs of medical training, marriage, and having four children. CADDC was born out of a desire to share, uplift, educate, and preserve culture and the art of learning. We started in September of 2022 with two drummers and two dancers eager and ready to participate in the conversation and the cultural arts centered around West African dance and dances of the diaspora. My particular focus is on the development of the youth dancers and drummers. With my medical background and my finger on the pulse of the health of our community, I saw the need for a program that would allow children and youth to utilize cultural arts in embracing their emotions and feelings, particularly during the tumultuous times of COVID-19. We have a mental health crisis that is occurring in our communities, and the studies have clearly shown how drumming, physical activity, and community can help assist with buffering the challenges of our world.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has been a challenging road. It has been as winding and curvy as the ones in Topanga Canyon, California. We have been blessed with finding a dance space that allowed us to have an excellent sprung dance floor and the ability to drum and not have our neighbors complain about the sounds. We have been able to have classes increase from every other week for our children’s programming to every week. We’ve also been able to bring in guest artists from out of town to share their talents in dance and the cultural arts. We’ve had some changes in board members and now have a supportive, awesome board. We have been blessed to have phenomenal community and parental support. We’ve applied for some grants, obtained a few, and were turned down for others. Both Karen and I have wonderful husbands who assist us in continuing to do what we are passionate about, which is sharing our love for West African dance and drumming in the community.

As you know, we’re big fans of Charlotte African Drum and Dance Collective. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with the brand, what can you tell them about it?
CADDC is a cultural arts company that offers weekly classes centered around sharing our knowledge and experiences in dance and drums. We offer courses in West African Dance and dances of the diaspora. We also provide workshops in drum and dance. We have dedicated classes for the youth each week, preparing them to perform in the community. What sets us apart is that we are a collaboration of multiple talented artists in the community. We can also push the conversation about wellness and whole food plant-based nutrition and how this shifts our community’s health compass. We are most proud of our connection to the community. Our Kwanzaa presentation in 2023 was Epic! I would love for your readers to know that the Queen City of Charlotte offers a unique experience worth traveling to on a Sunday afternoon. Join us every Sunday at 3 pm for the youth class and 4:30 pm for the Community class at TDC Dance Studio. We are also available for workshops in the schools and community and performances. We have been fortunate to be able to have talented staff assisting with the adult class and youth classes. April Turner and Garlana Hill are treasures in the Charlotte community and keepers of the culture and traditions.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Teamwork and Grace

Contact Info:

• Website: www.caddc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caddc365
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caddc365/

Image Credits
Ron Ross Photography