Class Description
The content of this course gives an introduction to basic West African movement, rhythms, and songs.
Each class began with a warm-up to prepare the body for this particular style of movement, followed by movements across the floor, and finally, work on specific dances.
Students learned several dances from West Africa, primarily from Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, and the Senegambia regions. Classes were accompanied by live drumming, giving the students the opportunity to understand the unique connection between polyrhythmic timing and the body in motion. While the class focused on the dances of West Africa it is also a means for understanding the culture of the people.
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Students learned several dances from West Africa, primarily from Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, and the Senegambia regions. Classes were accompanied by live drumming, giving the students the opportunity to understand the unique connection between polyrhythmic timing and the body in motion. While the class focused on the dances of West Africa it is also a means for understanding the culture of the people.
CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.