Instructor: Dr. John Dankwa, PhD; Associate Professor of Music, Wesleyan University
Assistants: Brian Parks and Catherine Moulton
Dates: July 11th through 15th.

At this camp, students will learn the traditional drumming of Ghana, featuring drum-dances from the Ewe (Volta River area), Akan and Ashanti (Southern Ghana), and Ga (Southeast coast) states. Only traditional Ghanaian instruments will be used -- the kidi, kagan, atsimevu, sogo, axatses, and gankogui that comprise the Ewe orchestra; and the apentemma, oprenten, and tamalin for Akan pieces. Basic dances that accompany each piece (for drumming and dancing never happen separately in Ghana) will also be demonstrated. Students will receive their own set of drumsticks as well as a CD with examples of music and corresponding songs. Campers should bring a good-sized water bottle, as drumming is rigorous and tiring.

We will be joined by Dr. John Dankwa, PhD of Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT), a master drummer from Ghana who teaches Ghanaian instrumental performance and drum poetry. He will be working with advanced students on developing techniques and dialogues for begun pieces, and will introduce us to kete, the royal court drum-dance of the Ashanti. John was born into a royal family at Nkyeraa in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. You can watch Brian and John teaching and performing for an elementary school here.

Parents and friends are invited to the last hour of the final day for an encapsulatory performance.

Previous years’ attendees will attest to the satisfaction, joy, and deep skills garnered by the week’s work. There is also a park-wide treasure hunt with, like, digging; and a garden tour by master gardener and noted mycologist Cecil Warfel.

This camp is open by audition for all ages 8 and up, including adults; it is limited to 15 people.

Camp will take place in the Marietta First United Methodist Church Park, with arrival in the Pavilion.


Times: 9am to 12pm, Monday through Thursday; 9am to 1pm on Friday, with a presentation for parents at 12p:00 p.m.