Nana Korantemaa Ayeboafo

Nana will build upon her ongoing collaboration with the Stanton Public School, where she has taught short African drumming workshops in the school's Cultural Arts Program, since 2003. This grant will enable Nana to teach the drum class/ drumming circle continuously throughout the school year, teaching children drumming, elements of music and composition, and live performance skills. Nana hopes that learning drums will give young people an identity and stronger sense of self, as it did for her when she stumbled upon Arthur Hall's Afro-American Experience as a young African American women living in North Philadelphia leading her on the path to become the Master Drummer she is today. In addition to the continuity of working with students over a year, this opportunity will result in better drumming skills and more live performances in which the young people can share their talents with friends, family and the larger community.