World Beat Workshop
The World Beat Workshop with drummer Robert Jospé and percussionist Kevin Davis engages audiences of all ages in exploring the diaspora of West African rhythms in the Americas and their influence in current music styles. Using a map, percussion instruments and music charts, this interactive program includes clapping, dancing and singing to salsa, calypso, merengue, samba and hip-hop. Musical, historical, cultural and geographical information is brought to life with the journey of clave.
This program can be tailored to suit audiences of all ages from elementary school through adult.
School Assembly Program
Reviews and comments from Stafford County Public Schools
Performance date: March 22, 2011
“The upper grades loved it. Some stated that they were going back to their classrooms to work on fractions and that they were going to incorporate the idea of clapping beats to help them understand. They praised them for making the learning meaningful to the students. All students were engaged and participated during the assembly.” - Annamarie Bollino, Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator
Reviews and comments from Henrico County Public Schools
“It was an awesome performance. They involved all the students and faculty. It was tied into geography and mapping skills in a very meaningful way.” - Ridge Elementary
“I thought it was great! The kids love it. They enjoyed the dance he taught and the music. I especially liked learning how the steel drum works. They tied it into Social Studies by showing the regions of the world that used the instruments or did the dances.” - Pinchbeck Elementary
Museum & All Ages Program
An educational and entertaining experience for all ages, presented in museums, theaters, libraries, and at camps and festivals.
World Beat Workshop has been performed here:
- Children’s Museum of Richmond, VA
- Global Village, Bedford, VA
- Jefferson Madison Regional Library, VA
- Boys and Girls Club, Charlottesville, VA
- Wolf Trap Theatre in the Woods, Vienna, VA
- Floyd Fest Workshop Stage, Floyd, VA
- Hawaii Public Libraries, Hawaii
Reviews and comments from WolfTrap Children’s Theatre
Thank you so much for World Beat’s thoroughly entertaining performances at WolfTrap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods this summer! Your mix of musical genres, geography, history, and audience interaction was spot on for our audiences. All of us at WolfTrap congratulate World Beat Workshop and look forward to working with you again in the future. - Sarah Andrew Wilson, Assistant Director, Education Outreach. WolfTrap Foundation for the Performing Arts, Vienna, VA