Ali Beddoe: Since the age of 16 Ali has been a restless traveling soul who has often taken a less direct route, from point A to B. She has made her way from east to west in the U.S. and back again. Haiti, China, Tibet & Indonesia make up some of the detours. Hailing from New York, originally Brooklyn born to a mother of Ukrainian heritage and a father from Trinidad, West Indies- Mangoes, Roti, Perogies, Calypso music and dance has been a part of life from its start. The youngest of 3, Ali was the ever-willing assistant to her brother & sister's break dance classes. An ex-gymnast of 8 years and a former art school student, educator & painter Ali began her voyage into West African dance as student of Sidiki Sylla and Elhadji Mamadou "Pape" Ba in 2007.