The sense of community comes from meaningful dances, appropriate for each student's age and ability, adapted to express the reality that the school is, in fact, a coherent community, albeit one which perhaps never before experienced itself as an African village. He has taught throughout Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire, and Mozambique. He has packed an amphitheater in Seoul to see Korean African dancers. He has worked in collaboration with the art historian Perkins Foss to recreate the Urhobo Water Spirit Festival with 350 children from two schools, K-3. Last year for the Montana Ballet, there was a festival which combined Native American Indian, traditional Hawaiian, and student African singers and dancers.
Every festival is different.
Each demonstrates the importance of the arts in education, strengthening the bonds of the school community and the community at large while enhancing tolerance and appreciation of diverse cultures. In short, African Festivals in American Schools is affirmative action at the grass roots.