For most of his life, Ibrahima Diouf has been surrounded by the rhythms and movements of dance.

Growing up, he was exposed to the music and culture of Liberia and Senegal through his parents Naomi and Zakarya Diouf, who founded Oakland’s Diamano Coura West African Dance Company in 1975. So it came as no surprise when he took his first formal dance steps at the age of 12 and quickly became a professional.

He hasn’t stopped dancing.

Diouf was honored this year with an Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Individual Performance for his solo centerpiece in “JUSAT,” which he performed at the 2007 San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.

And although the 18-year-old may be on the brink of graduating from Berkeley High School and heading to Miami to study his other passion — fashion design — he’s still working in the studio. Diouf continues to perform and co-teach West African dance classes at Malonga Casquelord Center for the Arts, passing on the traditions his parents have lovingly handed down to him.

Q: Can you describe “JUSAT,” the performance that netted you the Izzie? The judges were very impressed with your athleticism and leaps.

A: That performance was a tribute to our ancestors that have passed away that have taught us dances. It’s basically like a rebirth giving them back the knowledge they taught us about dance. I did a solo part where it was me in the center and a couple of ladies around me and we were all dressed in white kind of doing something for God, like angels, all in white. I was in the middle doing a solo piece and they were doing something choreographed on the side.

Q: What was it like growing up surrounded by music and dance?

A: A lot of people tell me that when I was little I used to run onstage during shows. It was something that was in me, but at the same time I had a lot of cousins that were around and not all of us dance or drum. We were always just running around the artifacts of dancing and stuff. It was really something that I wanted to do, but at the same time I also wanted to be a kid. When I reached 12, that was when I was like, OK, this is something that I like to do and I’m going to pursue it and I’m going to do it.

Q: How would you describe West African dance?

A: I would describe West African dance as an art form. Most dances actually mimic animals. There’s a dance that mimics the flamingo bird.

Q: How big of an influence have your parents been on you as far as passing down dance and music traditions?

A: They’ve been a big influence on that. At the same time, it’s not all about dance. It’s all about school. My father, who has two Ph.D.s and is a biochemist, tells us all the time, “It’s always school before the dance,” so that’s how I was raised.

Q: So how would you describe your style?

A: I’d say my style is flowy and big.

Q: You’re going to college to study fashion design. Do you think you’re going to still be dancing?

A: Yes. I’m going to keep the tradition of dancing that was passed on to me even though I’m going to do something else. Also I’m always going to have dance within me, but I’m never going to stop dancing. I’m going to keep doing it and hopefully I can get a class in Miami so I can pass on what I learned from my parents to other people.