“It was awesome!” hollered Joey Milano after the African Drumming, Song and Dance presentation at Dunbarton Elementary School on Friday. The program was the culmination of the 2011 Artist in Residence Program, featuring Theo Martey and Saeed Abbas, music teachers from Ghana who brought 30 big drums and a lot of enthusiasm to the kindergarten through 6th grade students. First grade teacher Lisa Turcotte said, “For a small town like Dunbarton to experience the diversity of another culture across the world was fascinating for the children.”
The program featured each class in matching tee shirts, with traditional Ghanaian folk music, rhythmic drumming, clapping, and choreographed dance for the older kids. Each student correctly followed the teachers in chanting, and after only two weeks some of the older students were more than competent on their Djembe drums. “Having an Artist in Residence every year is priceless enrichment,” stated second grade teacher Donna Brightman. According to 5th grader Courney Baer, “Everything about it was great!” Michaela Lesperance was a little more specific, “The singing and the dancing was just fun! I had such a fun time!” The students especially enjoyed the dance number performed by their teachers at the end of the program!
Mr. Martey is a popular visiting teacher and musician in New Hampshire, and has participated in art programs in dozens of schools. He began performing at the age of 6 and has taught in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Currently teaching African Dance and Drumming at Murphy’s Boxing Gym in Manchester, Mr. Martey is also the leader of the Akwaaba Ensemble, an Editor’s Pick for the Best of NH 2010.
Not to be outdone, Saeed Abbas began teaching music in the Ghana public schools when he was 16, was selected for the prestigious Nationa Dance Ensemble at 19 and eventually went on to perform for the Queen of England, Tony Blair, and President Clinton. An invitation to teach at a special needs school brought him to the United States where he performs with Mr. Martey’s ensemble Akwaaba and teaches across New England and New York.
The Artist in Residence Program was financed in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Arts in Education Coordinator Catherine O’Brian attended the event. “We’re delighted to fund such a wonderful learning experience. Dunbarton Elementary School has benefitted from numerous grants over the years. This community is very supporting and enthusiastic.” Also in attendance was internationally reknown potter Gerry Williams, who firmly stated that, “This Artist in Residence Program was profoundly valuable to the children. It enabled the children to see what it is like to be an African musician.”
