Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy gave students at Moore Magnet Elementary School an introduction to West African drumming with their Living Rhythms program last week.
TTM is an international music school that seeks to preserve West African drumming traditions while also instilling students with values like tolerance, understanding, equality, and respect for the international community. Their Living Rhythms program is a high-energy beginner’s drumming course that had students in every grade engaged and excited to learn more about arts and culture around the world.
“I had kids walking up to me all day long telling me how much fun they had playing the djembe,” said Moore STEAM Magnet Coordinator Kellie Harris. “Having arts in schools really does mean everything to them.”
Arts Educators Greg and Dakarai Ince walked students through the daily routines of a djembe drumming troop living in Guinea. They learned multiple songs, best practices for handling their instruments, and the vital role drummers play in the culture of their villages. As a lifelong artist, Greg Ince has always strived to provide his own children with a comprehensive arts education, and he’s proud to do his part to broaden the horizons of students throughout the community.
“Arts have been my whole life since I was three years old,” he said. “I truly don’t know where we would be as a society without the arts.”
Living Rhythms’ visit to Moore coincided with Arts in Education Week, when schools nationwide express their support for music, theatre, visual arts, and more as part of their curriculum. As a STEAM magnet school, Moore prides itself on nurturing an artistic spirit in its students, and experiences like Living Rhythms help foster talents that can keep rewarding students for the rest of their lives.
“I like drums, and I’m good at them,” said Moore Third Grader Amarri Cannon. “I think I got better at them today.”
Moore students were grateful to have spent some time with Living Rhythms, as well as for all of the other special artistic opportunities their teachers had in store for them throughout Arts in Education Week.
“Art helps me be my true self,” said Fifth Grader Laila Avery. “It makes me feel alive.”