MR. NIMELY NAPLA is a director, master dancer, craftsmen, costume designer, and choreographer who has extensive knowledge of Liberian culture. As former director of the Liberian National Cultural Troupe, Nimely came to the United States in the early 1980's. During this tour with the Cultural Troupe and he performed at the Louisiana World Exposition and shared his artistic talents and vision. In August of the same year he also began work with the New Orleans Public School System’s Artist in School program.
Nimely has founded several performing companies. His first was in founded in 1985 while living in Columbus, Ohio, the second was Dehcontee Liberian Dance Company in 1989 in Oakland, CA, and in 1994 in Minneapolis, Minnesota Nimely formed the Nimely Pan African Dance Company, the only Liberian traditional dance company in Minnesota, which has been relocated as of 2010 and is now based in Oakland, CA. Under his direction the Nimely Pan African Dance Company has toured nationally and annually hosted Panafest, a West African dance and drum performance. His company has been invited to perform by the NAACP in Washington DC and for numerous Liberian delegates including Ambassador Rachel G. Diggs and for two consecutive years, Liberian President Ellen Johnson. Nimely believes that it takes a community to raise a child and tries to carry out this vision in his community based Dance Company that focuses on positive attributes of our youth through discipline, study of cultural heritage, performing arts such as; singing, dancing, drumming, and building self esteem. Nimely makes sure that all members learn to channel their energy, talents, and skills into something positive, which will help them realize their truest potential and give them hope for a better future.
Nimely has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, and has performed and created wood carvings at the Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, A, the 1996 Olympics, and as an educator with numerous school districts in Minnesota, California, and Louisiana. As a costume designer and choreographer he has been commissioned by renowned companies such as Diamano Coura West African Dance Company based in California and Kankouran Dance Company based in Washington, DC, and the World renown stage play” The Lion King". Over the years Mr. Napla has mastered making Liberian culture theatrical works, while still maintaining the respect for the traditional components.
Nimely has founded several performing companies. His first was in founded in 1985 while living in Columbus, Ohio, the second was Dehcontee Liberian Dance Company in 1989 in Oakland, CA, and in 1994 in Minneapolis, Minnesota Nimely formed the Nimely Pan African Dance Company, the only Liberian traditional dance company in Minnesota, which has been relocated as of 2010 and is now based in Oakland, CA. Under his direction the Nimely Pan African Dance Company has toured nationally and annually hosted Panafest, a West African dance and drum performance. His company has been invited to perform by the NAACP in Washington DC and for numerous Liberian delegates including Ambassador Rachel G. Diggs and for two consecutive years, Liberian President Ellen Johnson. Nimely believes that it takes a community to raise a child and tries to carry out this vision in his community based Dance Company that focuses on positive attributes of our youth through discipline, study of cultural heritage, performing arts such as; singing, dancing, drumming, and building self esteem. Nimely makes sure that all members learn to channel their energy, talents, and skills into something positive, which will help them realize their truest potential and give them hope for a better future.
Nimely has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, and has performed and created wood carvings at the Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, A, the 1996 Olympics, and as an educator with numerous school districts in Minnesota, California, and Louisiana. As a costume designer and choreographer he has been commissioned by renowned companies such as Diamano Coura West African Dance Company based in California and Kankouran Dance Company based in Washington, DC, and the World renown stage play” The Lion King". Over the years Mr. Napla has mastered making Liberian culture theatrical works, while still maintaining the respect for the traditional components.