Kristine Johanek

Johanek wants her fourth through sixth-grade music students to play authentic African drums and other percussion equipment from Western Africa as part of a program she calls "African Hand-Drumming Experience." Students will learn about the music and cultures of Ghana, Nigeria and other places in Western Africa as they practice rhythm reading and listening skills, learn about musical timelines and improvise rhythmic solos including 'call and response' and extended solos. Students will also work in small groups to compose and perform drum compositions and then record a CD of their original works. During the course of the program, students will build their skill sets as they progress from learning technical skills and reading music to improvisation, composition and performance. In addition to cultivating musicianship with the students, Johanek says the experience offers an ideal opportunity for students to build self-confidence and interpersonal competence. Johanek is a resident of Marshfield.