Mandjou Koné was born in Burkina Faso to Malian parents and grew up between Mali and Burkina Faso in West Africa. She hails from the Koné family, a distinguished Griot lineage known for their roles as mediators, peacemakers, and societal counselors. Griots are celebrated for their unique ability to record and orally archive events, passing down history through generations.

Mandjou is an accomplished author, storyteller, and dance educator. Her journey has led her to teach, perform, and conduct workshops across the United States at various institutions, including California State University Chico, Stanford University, University of California Berkeley, University of Oregon, University of California Santa Cruz, and Pixar Animation Studios.

In 2016, she served as a Teaching Artist in residency at UC Berkeley, where she prepared students from multiple San Francisco Bay Area schools to experience West African music. Since 2005, she has conducted workshops at the University of Oregon in Eugene, University of Utah in Salt Lake City, California State University in Humboldt, Hartnell College in Monterey, and Stanford University. Since 1997, she has been holding workshops at the University of California in Santa Cruz. Before moving to the United States, she was a dance teacher in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso until 1996.

Her performances and workshops are extensive and varied. In 2022, she performed with Planet Drum Company at Stanford University Frost Amphitheater. In 2013, she choreographed and directed “Yankadi Makuru” for the Blueprints UCSC Faculty Dance Performances. Since 2007, she has performed with Rhythm Village and RhythmAddicts at Pixar, Genentech, Safari West, Bread & Roses Fundraiser, and Fête de la Musique at Château de Canisy, France. In 2011, she performed in the 12th San Francisco World Music Festival, “The Epic Project,” and in 2010, she participated in “The Divine Particle Visions” by Karlton E. Hester. From 2000 to 2010, she was part of the Cabrillo Music Festival in Santa Cruz. Between 2007 and 2009, she performed at Rising International Fundraisers at Clint Eastwood Ranch, Pebble Beach, and in 2008, she performed with Rhythm Village at the Rockmorton in Mill Valley. In 2007, she participated in Dance-IT at the San Francisco Ballet. She also performed at the Esalen Arts Festival in 2004 and in the Jon Scoville and Tandy Beal & Co production of “Wide Life” in 2003. Since 1996, she has collaborated with Samba Ngo, Sol Caribe, Domu Africa, and Highlife Express, performing throughout the United States. In 1996, she performed in Grenoble, France. From 1990 to 1996, she was the lead singer with Surutu Kunu, touring West Africa and Europe. In 1995, she performed at the Centre Culturel Français in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Paris, France, and Zurich, Switzerland.

Mandjou’s work extends to television, film, and documentaries. In 2009, she danced and performed for a Korean TV show in Las Vegas. In 2005, she appeared in a commercial for the advertisement campaign “Vive le Screwcap” by Bonny Doon Vineyard. In 2003, she gave lectures and demos at the Global African Music & Arts Festival/Symposium by Karlton E. Hester, UCSC Division of Arts. In 2002, she appeared solo on Channel 24’s “Are We on Yet?” and in 2000, she was featured on Channel 24 TV show “Drum Haven” with Mandjou & friends. In 1999, she was part of “Great, Great, Great Parents’ Music” (African Family Film Foundation) about the Koné family.

Her vocal record performances include the 2009 Garden House Label Dub Mix on vinyl, Wamian, Jon Scoville’s “Pirouette Park” in 2004, and Boré in 2003, which she wrote, performed, and produced. In 1996, she released “Surutu Kunu” by Mandjou Koné & Family. She was also a member of the Ballet National du Burkina Faso from 1984 to 1985.

Mandjou has been awarded the Calabash Award by the City of Santa Cruz for Ethnic Arts Excellence. She is fluent in Bawmu, Bamana, Moore, Haussa, French, and English. Her published books include “N’Golo’s Motif,” “Bousanny,” and “Batugubere.” She received immersive education in West African traditions and culture in Burkina Faso and completed her general education at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California.