Led by Kofi Donkor, Sankofa Drum Circle will take students on a journey through the rhythmic and oral tradition of West African drumming and culture. Sankofa means “going back to the roots” in the Twi language from Ghana. The spirit of Sankofa, and this class, is to promote personal and community awareness through this art form steeped in West African cultural values and tradition.
Students will explore the rhythmic patterns and meaning of traditional west African drumming and story. We will use this form to create a bridge to our contemporary understanding of ensemble hand drumming and strengthen ties in our own communities.
Students who come as strangers are guaranteed to leave as life-long friends with a shared passion for this form of musical expression!
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Semester Information
The class is appropriate for adults ages 18+
Class Overview
Kofi will teach students the basics of hand drumming from breathing, positioning to perfecting bass tones, high tones and slap tones. Students will learn to lead the circle and be led, regardless of their knowledge of drumming. All drums will be provided, but students may also bring their own if they would like!
Kofi uses African call and response technique with singing, improvisation and storytelling developed over the many years of his global teaching practice. This technique and skills-building is interspersed with lessons about the history and culture of African Drumming in a four part polyrhythm called Kpanlogo from his native land Ghana, West Africa.
Summer 2025 Dates:
Monday, August 18
Tuesday, August 19
Wednesday, August 20
Thursday, August 21
6–7pm
First Church
18 Farragut Avenue
Hastings-On-Hudson, NY
*Class ends promptly by 7pm; please arrange for pickup of students by 6:50pm.
Fees & Registration
Tuition & Fees:
• Class fee – $140
• Registration fee – $10
Please reach out to Claudia Knafo at musicprogram@riverarts.org for more infomation.