By Steve Klotz, Embrace Music Foundation

Excitement ripples through the room when teenagers and their mentors — the “Littles” and “Bigs” in the lexicon of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, which organized the workshop — as soon as they enter.  Greeting them is a selection of over 60 percussion instruments, large and small, arranged in a semi-circle.  Their choice of seat determines the instrument they will learn to play today.

The two-hour session at Miami Edison High School on Saturday 8/4 introduced “Rhythms of Africa / Music Around the World,” a intensive program of musical workshops, to at-risk teens.  Starting in November, participants will meet nine times, once a week for two hours, then perform as a percussion ensemble at the Adrienne Arsht Center at its Family Fest concert on January 12.

Willie Stewart introduced “Rhythms of Africa / Music Around the World” at Miami Edison High School as part of a program conducted by Embrace Music Foundation.

The program is conducted by Embrace Music Foundation, a Broward-based non-profit dedicated to restoring music to schools and communities.  Guided by “Reggae Ambassador” Willie Stewart — master percussionist, Knight Arts Challenge grantee, and founding member of world renowned reggae band Third World —  this incarnation of Rhythms of Africa is underwritten in part by the Knight Foundation.

Students learn about and perform on a wide variety of percussion  instruments drawn from around the world.  Here Willie astonishes them with the Ngoma drum from Tanzania,  East Africa.  Known as the “Dancing Drum,” when played properly it not only resonates powerfully through the room, but moves (dances) along with the drummer. Most participants have little if any formal musical training.  The program addresses their inexperience on several levels, providing not only instruction in basic musical concepts such as rhythms and beat, but empathy and listening skills, the role of music in varying cultures, teamwork, character development, etc.

Bigs and Littles reacted enthusiastically, pleased and impressed by their newfound prowess and the transformational power of music made by their own efforts.  “We walked in not knowing what would happen,” one teenager marveled.  “And we’re leaving like a band that just played a concert!” “This happens according to plan,” affirms Willie.  “This is just a two-hour introduction.  The program is about 20.  Can you imagine what we could do with a whole year, or more?  It’s why we need music back in the schools, back in our lives.”