Education

In AfricanDanceBeat and AfricanMusicBeat, students learn about the African continent and its diaspora through dance and music. Led by BAM teaching artists, the programs emphasize literacy in African dance and music with a focus on the oral histories, geography, and culture of the visiting company for the annual DanceAfrica celebration. Program participants attend a school-time DanceAfrica performance on May 22 or 23.

AfricanMusicBeat
Drumming and singing enliven the classroom as students learn traditional African folk songs and perform African-inspired rhythms on indigenous and homemade instruments.

AfricanDanceBeat
Students learn African-inspired movement techniques and rhythmic expression, accompanied by live percussion.

Teachers whose students are enrolled in either residency are urged to attend a free Professional Development workshop on African music and dance at BAM to strengthen the effectiveness of the residency (date in March to be announced).