Sarah Lee Parker

Sarah Lee Parker is a hot-blooded American who has found her soul in Guinea, West Africa. Since her first visit to Senegal and Guinea in 2004, and during her subsequent 18 multi-month return visits, her whole life has become about building a two-way bridge of learning and understanding between Guinea and the west. Passionately seeking to level the playing field for Africans in this world, she facilitates awareness and transformation through dance, music and cultural immersion.

During these 19 trips to Africa, Sarah Lee has hosted hundreds of Americans, Canadians, Europeans, Chinese and Japanese participants of all ages as they discover the power and wisdom of Guinean Culture. She has studied with dozens of exceptional dancers, most notably Youssouf Koumbassa, Moustapha Bangoura, Sorel Conte, Alseny Bangoura, Mamadama Bangoura, Salia Camara and Aly Mara. She has trained with Ballet Wassaso, Ballet Matam, Merveilles de Guinee and the National Ballet of Guinea: Ballet Djoliba.

In addition to delving deeply into the culture and arts of Guinea, Sarah Lee has been an instrumental part of creating and running two different non profit organizations which give back to the people of Guinea: Guinea Kids Education Fund (GKEF); and later, Guinea Exchange. Sarah Lee is an accomplished dancer, an excellent teacher, and most notably a bold unabashed stand for creating a world that works for everyone.

While in Seattle, Sarah Lee performs with One World Dance & Drum & Kouyate Arts, and teaches at the University of Washington Dance Department, Velocity and Balance Dance Studios, and Seattle Movement Arts Center.