Latin/African Percussionists needed

New York City NY

Description

I'm a math teacher on Staten Island. I'm currently planning a 3 session evening workshop on the mathematics of rhythm with Math for America. The workshop will be held at MfA headquarters (Flatiron District) from 5:30 - 7:30 pm over three consecutive Wednesdays in January. We're looking for somebody who can demo and possibly lead a group of novice adult players through Clave, Samba and other rhythm patterns with roots in Africa and/or the African diaspora. Our goals are twofold 1) Build teacher-level respect for the knowledge, values and methods that sustain these artforms and 2) work up a set of math-oriented activities that get students similarly hyped. Our target audience is the 11 year-old in the back row who can bang out beats but whose eyes glaze over the moment you put a fraction in front of him. I've taught that kid. He usually gets a 50 on his first Algebra Regents. I want him coming out of this unit with an A+. Anyway, we're in the brainstorming stages. If education and musical outreach is your thing, hit me up. I'm happy to promote, plug services and initiate relationships. "Culturally Responsive Education" is the order of the day in New York City math education and MfA is a place where teachers take that order VERY seriously. Also, as a musician (bassist), I'm also willing to request funds or even dig into my own pockets to make it worth your time. Links to music, websites or anything that shows an ability to communicate the thinking and history behind your music would be helpful. I'm providing my own links below to show who and what influenced me in pitching this workshop. "Claves of African Origin - Tour by Billy Martin" https://youtu.be/6sfEySXzGbs "The Girl from Ipanema is Weirder than You Thought." https://youtu.be/OFWCbGzxofU "Music as a Language - Victor Wooten TED Talk" https://youtu.be/2zvjW9arAZ0 "The Jazz and Democracy Project" http://jazzdemocracy.com/