Aly Keita

Aly Keita is a Guinean choreographer, dancer, circus artist and musician based in Montreal, where he directs Kira Arts. His practice weaves together acrobatic and percussive movement, song, instrumental rhythm and narrative drawn from Manding oral tradition. Training rooted in the Centre Keita Fodeba in Conakry, Keita has created works that connect Guinean-derived rhythm, singing, dance and physical coordination into a unified artistic vision.

Keita's signature work *Djata: Conversations du Manden* (2021) draws directly on the Manding epic of Sundiata, presenting movement that is acrobatic and percussive in dialogue with this foundational narrative. The piece demonstrates his core artistic method: rhythm and body-music dialogue operate together as integrated disciplines rather than separate elements. Posture, coordination, rhythmic awareness and expressive departure from inherited codes work in concert within his choreography.

Since *Djata*, Keita has continued to develop his artistic language. He created *Altération* (2024) and *Nimba* (2025), expanding his exploration of how movement, music and storytelling can speak across cultural and disciplinary boundaries. His work has reached audiences beyond Montreal, including participation in the Radio-Canada documentary series *Afro Canada*, bringing Guinean and African contemporary dance practice into broader cultural conversation.