Objective

My mission is to inspire people of all ages to be open-minded and to expand their knowledge and appreciation for other cultures, whether it is through a performance or through instruction. In class settings, I inspire a recognition for the complexities of music from around the world, as well as stress the importance of teamwork and togetherness.

Work Experience

Faculty, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 2013 - June 2015

                  · Assistant Director of the West African Ensemble

Instructor, CSU Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, Oct. 2007 - June 2015

                  · Co-Instructing the West African drumming, dancing, and singing ensemble

Instructor/Performer, Community Arts Partnership, LA, CA, Sept. 2005 - May 2015

                  · Teaching West African music and dance through the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health

                       program, ArtSMART, at Juvenile Probation Camps and Juvenile Halls

                             - lessons involve positive reinforcements and indirectly teaching students social skills

                                 (i.e., working in teams, active listening, communicating) and cognitive skills   (i.e,

                                 focusing, multi-tasking, short/long-term memory, visual/auditory learning, creativity)  

                  · Instructing after school West African drum and dance ensembles throughout Los Angeles High

                       Schools to expand cultural and arts awareness

                  · Teaching Assistant for West African music and dance classes in continuation high schools and

                       elementary schools

                  · Performances and workshops of West African Music and Dance for school events grades K-12

Education

Private Study, Accra, Ghana — May-July 2009

       · Studying traditional and borrowed pieces from Ewe and Dagomba Master Drummers

California Institute Of The Arts, Valencia, CA — BFA in Multi-Focus Percussion, 2004-2007

Los Angeles Pierce Community College, CA – General Education Courses, 2002-2004

Skills

Performing on Western percussive instruments as well as percussive instruments from Ghana, India, Latin America, Middle East; drum building/repair; teaching all ages; PC/Mac

References

Nadine Rambeau, Community Arts Partnership

 (661) 222-2708

Kobla Ladzekpo - Music Professor (retired), California Institute of the Arts

 (818) 361-0261  - Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of California, Los Angeles

Dr. Paul Humphreys - Music Professor, Loyola Marymount University

 (310) 338-7432

Personal Achievements

         · Performed the Los Angeles premiere of Eugene Kurtz “Logo I” featuring clarinestist

            William Powell at REDCAT - March 14, 2006

         · Performed Terry Riley’s “In C” at Disney Hall – March 20, 2006

         · Performed with Mbangba at a conference for Voices of African Mothers, featuring guest

            collaborator Lisabeth Venetiaan, First Lady of Suriname, University of Ghana, Accra –

            July 2009

         · Performed for an Induction Ceremony for the new Chief of Suhum, Ghana - July 2009