Our Community Visiting Artist Educator Program brings experts to Fort Worth to present innovative sessions and/or performances from various music disciplines.
Christopher Mena
The first Community Visiting Artist Educator Program session was held at Rocketship Dennis Dunkins Elementary in Southeast Fort Worth. Music and Ethnic Studies educator, Dr. Christopher Mena, visited students to teach them about the history, music, and dance of Son Jarocho- a regional Black and Indigenous folk tradition from the state of Veracruz in Mexico.
Dr. Tammy Yi
In July of 2023, we offered a low-cost, local professional development session with Dr. Tammy Yi- Conductor of the 2024 Texas Music Education Association All-State Philharmonic Orchestra, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Chapman University, and Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic YOLA Youth Orchestra.
Dr. Yi facilitated a two-part day of training: Nurturing Culturally Responsive Orchestra and an orchestral reading session, including Mary D. Watkins' "Five Movements in Color" and "The Initiation."
Amadou Kouyate
In July of 2024, musician and storyteller Amadou Kouyate presented a free, family-friendly performance featuring a Q&A, as well as an evening concert.
Kouyate performed on kora and djembe and taught attendees about the instruments and their history. He also discussed his lineage as part of the Kouyate family of Manding Diali, renowned oral historians and musicians of West Africa.
