I was born in a family of educators and I am very proud to say that my father, currently a retired Assistant Director of Education, inspired me to become a teacher. For over fifteen years of experience, I have personally come to believe that teaching is a passion and a rewarding endeavor.

I am a experienced instructor, drummer, dancer, choreographer, multi-instrumentalist and a respected scholar in the field of Ethnomusicology with expertise in dance- music cultures of Africa and the African diaspora. As an instructor, nothing compares to the experience of helping students, participants and audiences understand the relevance and the place of the arts in our everyday lives and in our societies. I believe arts education should be a tool for personal and societal transformation. In class, my goal is to spark the students’ interest, increase student/participants understanding, and leave them with a desire to investigate more. While I do this, I demonstrate excellence, enthusiasm and consistency while having a clear impact on the knowledge and abilities of my students/participants weather in a classroom or during workshops and performances.

Throughout my teaching career, It is crucial that I create a fun, relaxing, positive and engaging learning environment for students, audience and participants both in theory, workshops
and any performance practices. Since the studio can be intimidating for a few who may not have danced before, I try to make students/participants comfortable by introducing a game to break the ice. I have participants introduce themselves to each other with a game of their choice.

My training as a local musician-performer in the village as well as training in academic settings allow me to communicate significant concepts to my students in a manner they may not
find in a textbook. When I teach drumming, I use two methods to engage students learning – leaning by rote and using western notation. My preferred method is by rote where students understand the concepts, techniques and how the instruments engage with each other, something that cannot be explained in any textbooks or notated accurately. When I teach dance, It is imperative that students/participants understand the cultural meaning of the movements, through a variety of gestures – hands, feet, facial expressions and the body among others contribute to the overall meaning of the dance. Additionally, my teaching methods sometimes explore factors like the environment, cultures, popular food, languages and movements of creatures as a technique to enhance students understanding. Strategizing fun ways to make students/participants comfortable by having fun and laughing in a class is my joy.

I teach, facilitate workshops, and perform in different countries. As a result, the participants and students I work with are diverse, representing a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds from around the world. When planning my curriculum or interacting with them, I am always mindful of their unique perspectives. Students from the United States also bring varied experiences with music and dance, as well as different learning styles. I value these differences and strive to create an inclusive and engaging environment for everyone.

I deeply cherish feedback from my students and participants. I constantly seek their input to become the best instructor I can be and to continue inspiring each new generation of learners. Feedback keeps me attentive and adaptable, helping me strengthen the student–teacher relationship and ensure that every participant feels seen and supported.