West African Culture Through Music & Dance

West African Cultural Arts Institute

Project Description

Students will experience the joy and passion of West African culture as they drum and dance to the dynamic poly-rhythms of Guinea.

This team building residency uses hands on, educational games and exercises to give students a deeper understanding of the wealth and diversity of West African culture, while teaching music, dance, and performance fundamentals. West African greetings, traditions, and customs are discussed to pique kids’ interest in new cultures, expand their world views, and increase their global awareness.

Final Product

Students will be able to play a traditional Guinean poly-rhythm on the drums, execute the corresponding dance steps, sing a call and response song, play half time and double time on the shakers, greet each other in the Susu language, find Guinea on the world map, and talk about the cultural context of the rhythm and dance presented.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will critically examine how a work of art reflects an artist’s environment and personal experience within a society or culture.
• Students will discuss how the arts serve a variety of personal, professional, practical, economic, community and cultural needs.
• Students will compare and contrast past and present situations, people, and events in neighborhoods and communities.
• Students will demonstrate the skills and dispositions needed to be a critical consumer of information.
• Students will develop an understanding of fractions as numbers.

Suggested Grades

• Appropriate for all grade levels.

Pricing Breakdown

• 4 visits at 45 minutes each
• Prep hours: 1 hour of prep per 5 hours of teaching + 2 hours for set up/break down
• Materials: 1-time $50 equipment fee
• Travel from Eugene

Testimonials

“The artists were great. I was so impressed with their awesome talent as drummers and dancers. They had wonderful chemistry with the children and excellent management skills. They made their lessons age and stage appropriate for each group of students that they were working with. Their friendly, outgoing nature was welcoming to all who joined their class sessions.”

—Principal, Spring Creek Elementary

“Andrea and Alseny were prompt, professional and easy to work with. The lessons were well designed, engaging and developmentally appropriate for each grade level. Students used drums to learn a variety of West African rhythms and they expanded their knowledge of those rhythms through dance and movement.”

—Principal, Edison Elementary School