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Teacher Workshops
Beginning with the premise that each of us must be fully rooted within ourselves—and with the earth—Kengmo shows how to find
our roots through traditional African dance forms that are based on life experience. Music, songs, drumming, rhythm perception, mime and dance are all encompassed in this 5–hour, 2-session workshop that will show you how to communicate through movement, demonstrate the difference between movement and dance, and explore the relationship between African and Western art forms.
Kengmo sees every teacher as a community leader because students in each classroom form a micro community with its own unique strengths, weaknesses and goals. Community leaders anywhere in the world can have issues and weaknesses that can hamper their ability to collaborate, understand, communicate or lead.
A proverb of Kengmo’s elders says: “In life, there comes a time where even the most loving parent cannot take care of their own beloved children if they cannot take care of themselves”. Kengmo’s workshops offer a powerful venue where teachers can come to take care of themselves. A teacher deserves as much or even more attention than the students to maintain a positive vision and stay on the right track.
Kengmo helps teachers understand the importance of openness, self-enlightenment and self-empowerment by teaching workshops that require hands-on experience with some of the most beautiful healing tools made by the wise people of Central Africa, as well as exposure to their physical and intellectual efforts. Teachers are provided with something unique that words can be weak to describe. Given the cultural complexity of American society today, teachers deserve as many diverse tools and approaches as appropriate.
Kengmo’s workshops provide teachers with different ways to bring positive energy to their schools every day, getting the peaceful attention of your peers and resolving classroom issues. Throughout each workshop, Kengmo showcases a very participatory approach. He models different ways in which a teacher can gain more respect as the elder to transform the classroom into a micro community where every member, including the teacher, feels important, resourceful, loved, respected and supported.
"...the first leader to show how to use his knowledge in the classrooms ... wonderful philosophical basis ... The inspiration and confidence that Kengmo brought to me will never be matched."
—Kennedy Center Events for Teachers
Student Workshops
In general, workshops last 1–1/2 to 2–1/2 hours and are designed appropriate to the specific age group (elementary, junior high, senior high). Students warm up with movements based on traditional African daily life activities and learn dance steps and their meanings.
They learn how to use space around them, how to create connections among themselves within the same space, and how to create connections with their environment and
audience. Improvisation and spontaneous sharing of dances in a circle further deepen the workshop process, ending with a choreographic collaboration in which the students are encouraged to propose their own movements and through them to express ideas. Maximum number of workshop participants: 20.
"You so vividly shared with the children your artistry as a choreographer and dancer ... they are still delighting in the experience ... and still asking, 'When is he coming back?' "
—Children's Studio School, Washington, DC
Lehpouoh: Intersections in African Culture—Educational Programs
Educational programs designed to
awaken your spirit to our universal humanness are finding thousands of enthusiastic participants. Performances, workshops, classes and residences in traditional African dance and music create and awareness of and appreciation for cultural differences, build foundations for discovery of Lehpouoh: Intersections in African Culture and celebrate your life!
Involving his audience from beginning, Kengmo makes Central African culture come alive through his compelling traditional garbs, stories, percussion and dance. Bringing a variety of authentic traditional instruments from his homeland Cameroon, Kengmo weaves history, art, philosophy and wisdom at the backdrop of his energetic presentation. He challenges his audiences to examine their values and ideas through the message of respect, peace, unconditional love and unity. Throughout his lively sharing, Kengmo creates a continuous sense of anticipation, excitement and curiosity. Towards the end, members of the audience play instruments, chant and dance together under Kengmo’s guidance.
"An honor for African culture ... impressive performance."
—Cameroon Tribune
Music workshops and classes by Kengmo are designed to be highly interactive, educational and fun.
Central African Dance Class or Workshop
Dance depicts daily life in Central Africa (farming,
lifestyle, ritual and celebration). Students learn how to use the information
that constitutes the root of traditional dances. They
learn Central African
dance steps with their meanings, and how to use it in their own ways to express
thoughts and feelings. The class or workshop demonstrates how similar and
connected people are regardless of their origins.
Click here for fees and information.
| AFRICAN ARTS SOLUTIONS | EVERYTHING FREE STORE | |||
| BAOBAB INTERNATIONAL |