Summer Rhythm Institutes
What past participants have to say......
"I can’t count the number of workshops I have attended where I have been inundated with songs and activities…none of which I could remember once I was back in the classroom! In order to effectively teach something you have to KNOW the material…not merely be introduced to it. After spending a full week completely devoted to one piece of music (especially considering this is a musical style completely new to me) I left with confidence that I knew it well enough to take it back to my students and successfully and authentically pass the music on to them. Also, as it turns out, one piece of music has been plenty for my students to work with. I have done only the djembe parts, the singing and the dancing and they have stayed totally engaged. They would spend every day doing Yankadi non-stop if they had their way!"
- Liz D., Seattle
"The Rhythm Institute last summer in Boulder was fantastic! I will never forget Yankadi- it is with me now forever. I have been searching for a program like this one for many years. One that is AUTHENTIC and provides instruction by master musicians. I taught my co-curricular instrumental group all of the the parts for Yankadi and we have performed it many times this year. These students are in grades 3-5!!!!!! The kids just love it and of course they all wanted to play the dunun parts! My students will now have Yankadi with them forever too.
It is an intense week, but very meaningful. I would return again, looking forward to a week of rhythm, dance, and culture!"
-Allison B.- Colorado.
Dear Scott and Fara,
I loved the Institute. I thought that studying 1 piece worked very well! I teach a group of 6 elderly people and it took most of 6 months to learn the drum parts to Yankady. We also sang the song. I didn't have the resources to include the mallet parts, and not enough energy on my class's part to learn the dance, but by doing these things in our summer class, I felt a complete understanding of the piece. Focusing on one piece in all of it's aspects makes the culture surrounding it come alive. I really want to take another class and hope I can convince some of my class to take part."
-Chris B., Colorado