Department of Theatre and Dance

Khalid Abdul N'Faly Saleem (African Drummer) is an internationally renowned African music specialist. He joined the faculty of Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance this fall, where he serves as an instructor of African Drumming for Dance, and as Music Director of Diyé African Dance and Drum Ensemble with Sherone Price, Dance Director.

 Previously, Khalid served as musical director of Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble at the State University of New York College at Brockport. He continues on the faculty of the American Dance Festival where he also performs and is a dance musician for both African and modern dance classes each summer. He has traveled internationally to the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America with the well-known Chuck Davis Dance Company (where he was the founding music director), as well as with The Egwen Dancers, The Big Drum Dance Company of Granada, and Les Guidivoir (Côte D'ivoire).

Khalid was a featured performer in the Dance Black America concert film shown nationally on PBS, and on multiple commercial recordings of African music. He has had the honor to compose, arrange, direct, or perform for presidents, bishops, ambassadors, and great choreographers such as Donald McKale, Katherine Dunham, Pearl Primus, Tally Beaty, Molissa Fenley, Betty Jones, Lavina Williams, Cleo Parker Robinson, members of the Limon Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company, Papa Ladji Camara, Baba Djimo Kouyate, and Chief Bey to name a few. Khalid's latest international cultural exchange travels have taken him to South Korea with the Korea American Dance Festival (KADF) program and to Brazil to work with Mestre Ramos, Mestre Toni Vargas, and Mestre Peixinho of the popular Senzala Capoiera School located in Rio De Janeiro. As part of a cultural exchange with Cuba, Khalid taught West African rhythms and studied Afro-Cuban folklore in Santiago. In 2004, Khalid accepted an invitation to perform with the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble at their 21st anniversary gala performance and to be a part of a film documentary on the life of Dr. Chuck Davis.