The Mudra Afrique (or, Centre Africain de Perfectionnement et de Recherche des Interprètes du Spectacle Mudra Afrique) was a school founded in Dakar, Senegal in 1977 by Léopold Sédar Senghor, Maurice Béjart and the UNESCO based on multiculturalism and a Pan-African philosophy of uniting the African through the commonalities in the different ways of artistic self-expression throughout the continent and the world, thus creating a universal artistic culture. The school closed in 1983 but a significant number of its students went on to successful international careers.,[1] such as the Burkinabe choreographer, dancer, actor and artist Irene Tassembedo, Carole Alexis choreographer and Director of Carole Alexis Ballet Theatre / Ballet des Amériques company and conservatory located in New York and Djoniba Mouflet Founder and Director of the Djoniba Dance and Drum center in New York .[2] Mudra Afrique played a crucial role in preparing the basis for contemporary, modern and neo-classical African dance by training the first generation of “modern and classical” African dancers according to international artistic standards.