Vado has been dancing for a lifetime, since the age of four, learning the dance and drum traditions of his Mahouka people in his homeland Ivory Coast. At an early age he was initiated into becoming the keeper of the sacred mask dance on stilts, Gue-Pelou. This particular distinction brought him to the ‘Ballet National de Cote d'Ivoire’, where he became a principal dancer for more than 15 years. Vado learned over 60 ethnic dance and drumming traditions from the Ivory Coast and other West African countries. His repertoire elevated his career to eventually choreographing and touring extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. In 1989 he established ‘L'Ensemble Kokiegna d'Abidjan’, which has resided in New York City as the ‘Kotchegna Dance Company’ since 1994. In Vado’s native language Mahou, ’kotchegna’ means messenger. His troupe’s goal is to inspire joy and understanding through the power of dance and drum, promoting the exchange of culture all over the world. He continues to strengthen his experience as a choreographer, artistic director, teacher and performer. He also takes part in many educational programs for children in the New York City schools area and beyond. For more information, go to: www.kotchegna.com.