Nancy Slagle

Slagle teamed with fellow educators Erik Riggs, Kelly Gold, Che-Von Stone, Laura Earnhardt, Andrea Croom, Ka thleen Ward, Johanna Kislik, and Marion Bunch to develop the "Out of Africa Drumming Ensemble." the project aims to continue to foster the mission of East Millbrook Magnet: to establish an international and artistic community by cultivating artistic expression and raising cultural awareness. Slagle believes that exposure and participation in the arts helps in the overall development and thinking of young people. Students in the Ensemble will work hands-on with a resident artist to learn to play various African instruments and hold community performances to highlight what they've learned. The program will help the students understand the importance of teamwork, build leadership skills, gain a sense of personal identity and knowledge of a non-Western musical tradition. In the end, the Ensemble will demonstrate to the community that the students know the value of diversity and respect the fact that not everyone dances to the beat of the same drummer. Slagle is a resident of Raleigh.