Playing with Bonga: A Children's Percussion Workshop

Bonga is a teaching artist who leads upbeat interactive sessions for kids in educational workshop settings. With his own hand-made drums & percussion instruments, dance, and song, Bonga helps children develop musical motor skills and discover their own rhythmic abilities.

Developmental Skills: Listening, cooperation, counting, motor skills and fundamentals of music are among those developed. Coordination, following direction, call & response, carrying a tune, moving to the beat and keeping time are all taught in Bonga's patient and encouraging style.

Rhythm Practice: Kids learn to play traditional Haitian instruments: drums, tcha-tchas, and horns. They practice basic rhythms and songs from Haiti. Using hands, feet, and voice, kids are asked to listen to their own sounds and rhythms. Everyone is encouraged to improvise using drums, body percussion and vocals.

"Bonga is a world-class performing artist whose knowledge and dedication to drumming is an inspiration. His interactive workshops engage participants in a cultural learning process that broadens perspectives. His gentle leadership opens hearts, minds and talents that his students didn't realize they possess."

Jonathan Mann
Director of Education
Westchester Arts Council - White Plains, NY