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Tacuma King and students

Percussion, Song, and Dance Workshops

Each spring the inspirational African drum and dance master Tacuma King presents his popular six-week Song, Dance and Percussion class for school children. The classes are designed for ages 6-9 and ages 10-14; each class is 90 minutes long, and the program runs in six sessions, from May to June. (For more information call 707-433-4644.)

This year, classes run every Tuesday from April 26 to May 31, 2011. Cost is $50 for the series of after-school classes from 4 to 5:30 pm. To register please follow this link and click to “View Activities” button to find “African Song, Dance and Percussion Class” on the list.

About the Workshops

Children ages six to fourteen experience the history and culture of jazz. This six-week after-school workshop teaches hand drums, dance and song, and the students then perform at a festival event. King is a musical charmer and a master educator. Whether teaching a drum rhythm, a dance step, a chant or a respectful appreciation for the rich and diverse cultures around the world, he always makes it a joyful experience for his students. Many students take the workshops year after year. They might start out ringing a bell or hitting a drum, but they move and progress, and many mature into young percussionists, fearless on stage and in touch with their inner rhythms.

About Tacuma King

African drum and dance master Tacuma King has been part of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival since it was founded in 1999. King comes to Healdsburg for in-school performances at school assemblies that combine teaching and performance in a dynamic blend of history, music and excitement. King reviews the historically rich cultural influences that have been the catalyst for the progression of jazz. From jazz’s  beginnings in Africa, to its assimilation into the Caribbean and South American cultures, through its impact on current American culture and music, King introduces students to jazz and its history through lecture, performance and participation. Many students attend the assembly, then sign up for an after-school workshop with Tacuma.

For more information call 707-433-4633, send us email. If your own schoolchild has taken part in these workshops, please add your comments below!