Medoune Yacine Gueye is KanKouran's Director of Music, Mr. Gueye is a national of Senegal, West Africa, who holds the distinct title "Master Drummer," having mastered several indigenous drum styles and rhythms including the Sabar and Sawrouba rhythms and djembe drum. Born in Colobane, Medoune is the son of a great Griot who began his musical training under his father's tutelage. Mr. Gueye began his professional career with Les Super Ballets du Senegal, and traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and the Caribbean as a member of the Theatre National Daniel Sorano performing group. Mr. Gueye also formed his own company: Fara Lambe Coxan - which toured throughout West Africa. Currently, Mr. Gueye serves as KanKouran's Director of Music and oversees the training of Company musicians.
In addition, Medoune is instructor of the adult community drum classes and as lead drummer, performs with KanKouran throughout the United States. Mr. Gueye has served as music choreographer for several African dance companies and university dance departments across the nation, including the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was invited to instruct drum workshops in St. Croix, Virgin Islands and Maui, Hawaii, and at numerous dance and drum conferences throughout the U.S. In 1999, Medoune was invited to record with the Arizona State University's Symphony Orchestra. In 1998, backed by members of KanKouran's Drum Ensemble, Medoune recorded his own CD, "Djinafoly" - Multi-Ethnic Rhythms.