African and Latin Drum and Dance

Experienced teaching artist Greg Coles brings music and movement instruction in West African and Latin Dance and Drumming, centering lessons on specific rhythms from a range of countries and cultural perspectives. Rhythms are matched to storytelling dances about being human (individuals, families and communities) covering life cycle issues from birth, growth, maturity, transition and transcendence.

Greg will introduce instruments, show their role in an ensemble, and teach participants to play certain rhythms, encouraging them to "hold" one rhythm while listening to others play another. West African or Latin songs are taught in both Bambara (the national language of Mali) and Spanish, and students are taught dances within their cultural and life stage contexts. Participants learn the history of the African diaspora and resultant rhythmic expression and variations of those expressions from original West African rhythms and dances.

Learning Goals:

• Students will learn specific West African and Latin rhythms.
• Students will identify countries of origin and purpose of specific rhythms.
• Students will learn specific dances associated with specific rhythms.
• Students will become part of an ensemble with assigned roles and responsibilities.
• Students will listen to and play with fellow students in rhythmic harmony (polyrhythms).

This program is an immersive experience for students and educators that is transformative-building trust, community, and both self and group expression using authentic rhythm, dance and cultural context.