Developed in Brazil by enslaved Africans during the 16th century, the martial art of Capoeira, disguised as a dance and including acrobatics, music, and the Portuguese language, was used as a means to resist oppression in the relentless struggle for freedom. This program, led by Leigh Robertson gives students the opportunity to participate in all […]
Many Native Americans refer to North America as Turtle Island. Storyteller Rob Aptaker shares traditional Native tales, including Earth on Turtle’s Back (Iroquois), The Coming of Stories (Lenape), and more. Voices, gestures, animal sounds, and audience participation help bring the characters to life, along with authentic Native American songs accompanied by drum and rattle. Historic […]
The ensemble brings the rich African influenced rhythms and dances originating in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, a region known for customs deeply rooted in the traditions and spirituality of ancestral Africa. Our ensemble tells the story of Africans brought to Brazil as slaves. To alleviate the suffering and preserve their identity they maintained their rituals, dances […]
This program is an intense study of the elements of various Diaspora West African drum, dance, song, storytelling, and masquerade traditions from Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. This Jeannine Osayande & Dunya Performing Arts Company workshop allows students to understand how dance is used to communicate in different ways, and how dance and […]
Join Jeannine Osayande & Dunya Performing Arts Company as they explore some of the ways West African Diaspora cultural practices are used to affirm community, communicate values, enhance cultural sensitivity, and inspire meaningful dialogue. Program options include storytelling, dance, drum, and song from Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Brazil, Haiti, and the United States. Please fill […]
Students discover the art of drumming! Participants have a blast playing everyday objects like buckets and garbage cans while they develop essential aural musical skills and learn how to read basic musical notation. Along their journey students experience music from different world cultures, participate in ensemble playing, and have the opportunity to perform in an […]
Celebrate the traditions of Latin percussion with this display of Samba to Salsa’s syncopated sounds and powerful rhythms. On this trip through the origins, history, and classic rhythms of samba, salsa, and more, the audience engages in collaborative ensemble exercises to explore these community-based traditions. Students connect to the music and culture of the Caribbean […]
Who were the Lenape Native Americans of New Jersey and Pennsylvania? Following years of conversation and relationships with Native people, Rob Aptaker gives students the opportunity to explore the tools, clothing, toys, games, medicine and music that have historically been a part of their daily lives, building a picture of pre-colonial life. Note: Rob no […]
Hiawatha, a curious young boy, decides to disobey his grandmother and seek a vision alone in the forest. There he finds a sacred cave and enters a magical world full of talking animals and fantastic spirits! He meets a wise Mohawk, called The Peacemaker, who teaches him a wonderful lesson. At last, with the help […]
The music of Taikoza personifies power, grace, pulse, and driving rhythm. After decades of training in Japan, Marco Lienhard leads this electrifying aural and visual performance which captures the vitality and culture of life in Japan. Highlighted by the thunderous rhythms of ancestral Japanese Taiko drums and the sounds of bamboo flutes, this festive experience draws from […]
Young Audiences' mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.
Young Audiences believes that all students deserve equal access to the arts and we strive to provide meaningful art experiences to young people regardless of cognitive or physical development, socio-economic status, or geographic location.
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