Thomas Vahle
President and Board Member

Known as "le Peul blanc," Thomas Vahle is an American saxophonist, Fula flutist, and conductor living in Montpellier, France. 

He studied Fula flute with master Mohamed Saidou Sow for five years in Senegal. He was Mory Kante's accompanist on his world tour and leader of the groups Nakodje and Fanfare Foufouta.

He is an educator and found in l'école fula flute, a project of profound value, and decided to get involved.

Cathy Monnet
Secretary and Board Member

Cathy Monnet is a French school teacher with a deep love for Guinean dance and culture. 

She also leads the French "Association Tyabala," dedicated to supporting the Centre Tyabala.

She travelled to Guinea many times for many years until she discovered the Centre Tyabala and was moved to deeply support it.

Sylvain Leroux
Treasurer and Board Chairman

Sylvain Leroux is a widely recognized master of the Fula flute and pioneer of jazz and African music collaborations. His 2002 album "Fula Flute", featuring master Bailo Bah, contributed significantly to propagating awareness of the instrument. 

He is the inventor of the "qromatica," a chromatic version of the Fula flute that led him, in collaboration with the  Centre Tyabala, to initiate l’école fula flute.

Mohamed Momo Sylla
Board Member

Mohamed "Momo" Sylla is the founder and Director of the Centre Tyabala de Guinée.

He is an actor, playwright, director, and teacher at the ISAGMK (Institut Supérieur des Arts Mory Kanté). 

A long-time arts activist in Guinea, he created the Centre Tyabala to make an impact in the lives of disadvantaged children by teaching them the arts of the traditional Guinean theater. 

Véronique Patrick Lamah
Board Member

Véronique Lamah is the treasurer of the Centre Tyabala, an actress, singer, playwright, director, and alumnus of l'ISAGMK. 

She has performed her plays across many African capitals.

A committed thespian, she followed the lead of her teacher, Mr Momo Sylla, and co-founded the Centre Tyabala with him.