Spirit Of Creativity with Sis.Noel: Recent Episodes
Noel Staples Freeman
This is an interview with Sis.Liz Osun Kemi. We talk about the history of African rooted culture in Boston and Sis.Liz Osun Kemi's contributions to the arts community.
Nko is the Founder and Director of Troupe Fall. He has been a member of Silimbo A'deane in Boston MA. directed by Mama Fatou N'diaye from the start of his training in African dance and music as a young boy.
Nko Fallou Small was nurtured by the vibrant blend of arts culture and creativity starting at a young age thanks to the exposure he received from his parents. He attended Paige Academy, one of Boston's first independent black schools in Roxbury Mass. He developed a deep appreciation for the arts, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion.
In the realm of traditional African drumming and dance, Bro. Nko had the privilege of learning from esteemed teachers, including Samba Cisse, Mamadou Cisse, Fatou N'diaye director of Silimbo A'deane Dance Company, Master musicians Lansana Dioubate, Ibrahim Camara, and Mamadou Lynx Ndiaye. These mentors have played a crucial role for Bro.Nko in his youth into his adult life, in honing his skills and fostering a deep connection to the rich traditions of African music growing up in Boston MA
Nko's artistic journey has taken him far and wide, as a musician, dancer, and teacher with dance companies, universities, and conferences across New England, Florida, and New York. His collaborations include Delou African Dance and Drum Co., Ballet Brika West African Dance Co., A.C.D.T-African American Dance Theatre, Delou Africa Dance Ensemble, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Camp.
Nko Fallou Small shares the transformative power of art and culture in shaping one's life. His artistic journey reflects not only a personal commitment to his craft but also a dedication to cultural understanding and appreciation through the universal language of dance and music.
Nko is the Founder and Director of Troupe Fall. He has been a member of Silimbo A'deane in Boston MA. directed by Mama Fatou N'diaye from the start of his training in African dance and music as a young boy.
Nko Fallou Small was nurtured by the vibrant blend of arts, culture, and creativity starting at a young age thanks to the exposure he received from his parents. He attended Paige Academy, one of Boston's first independent black schools in Roxbury Mass. He developed a deep appreciation for the arts, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion.
In the realm of traditional African drumming and dance, Bro.Nko had the privilege of learning from esteemed teachers, including Samba Cisse, Mamadou Cisse, Fatou N'diaye director of Silimbo A'deane Dance Company, Master musicians Lansana Dioubate, Ibrahim Camara, and Mamadou Lynx Ndiaye. These mentors have played a crucial role for Bro.Nko in his youth into his adult life, honing his skills and fostering a deep connection to the rich traditions of African music growing up in Boston Mass..
Nko's artistic journey has taken him far and wide, as a musician,dancer, and teacher with dance companies, universities, and conferences across New England, Florida, and New York. His collaborations include Delou African Dance and Drum Co., Ballet Brika West African Dance Co., A.C.D.T-African American Dance Theatre, Delou Afric Dance Ensemble, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Camp.
Nko Fallou Small shares the transformative power of art and culture in shaping one's life. His artistic journey reflects not only a personal commitment to his craft but also a dedication to cultural understanding and appreciation through the universal language of dance and music.
Nko is the Founder and Director of Troupe Fall. He has been a member of Silimbo A'deane in Boston Ma. directed by Mama Fatou N'diaye from the start of his training in African dance and music as a young boy.
Nko Fallou Small was nurtured by the vibrant blend of arts and culture and creativity starting at a young age thanks to the exposure he received from his parents. He attended Paige Academy, one of Boston's first independent black schools in Roxbury Mass. He developed a deep appreciation for the arts, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion.
In the realm of traditional African drumming and dance, Bro.Nko had the privilege of learning from esteemed teachers, including Samba Cisse, Mamadou Cisse, Fatou N'diaye director of Silimbo A'deane Dance Company, Master musicians Lansana Dioubate, Ibrahim Camara and Mamadou Lynx Ndiaye. These mentors have played a crucial role for Bro.Nko in his youth into his adult life, in honing his skills and fostering a deep connection to the rich traditions of African music growing up in Boston Mass..
Nko's artistic journey has taken him far and wide, as a musician,dancer and teacher with dance companies, universities, and conferences across New England, Florida, and New York. His collaborations include Delou African Dance and Drum Co., Ballet Brika West African Dance Co., A.C.D.T-African American Dance Theatre, Delou Africa Dance Ensemble, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Camp.
Nko Fallou Small shares the transformative power of art and culture in shaping one's life. His artistic journey reflects not only a personal commitment to his craft but also a dedication to cultural understanding and appreciation through the universal language of dance and music.
Bro.Ade Bayo's first teachers of music/drumming was his parents. Bro.Ade Bayo will talk to us about growing up and learning the arts and culture of the African Diaspora.He will tell us about his father, master musician pioneer Bamidele Osumarea and he will talke to us about his artistic journey.
Mama Fatou N'Diaye was born in Adeane Village, Cassamance region of Senegal West Africa.She was a member of the National Ballet. She was the Aristic director and choreographer of Silimbo D'Adeane in West Africa and the United States. Mama Fatou will talk to us about her artistic journey in Africa,Chicago and Boston.
Bro.Anthony Wilder grew up Wisconsin he is a musician, dancer and choreographer. Bro.Anthony will talk to us about his travels as an artist in the United States and abroad. He will shed light on how he chose stay connected through dance music and movement throughout the pandemic.
Born in Roxbury Ma., Pioneer Sis. Helen Pringle is an international artist living in Switzerland for over 40 years. She will share her artistic journey as a pioneer, artististic director, dance teacher and choreographer.
I began my career in the arts at The Elma Lewis School of African American Artists at the age of 14. The influence and teachings of the school has richly affected my life to this very day and as a result, also my childrens lives. I was taught and influenced by so many Great artists who came to teach at The Elma Lewis School. I mainly danced under the teaching of George Howard who taught African and Afro Caribbean Dancing. He was a great choreographor and toured the carribean to study African Caribbean dance. He traveled several days a week from New York to Boston to teach at the Elma Louis School. He was a great artist and disciplined teacher. It was such an honor to have studied under him at the school. I also remember when Babatunde Olatunji came to our classes. Babatunde Olatunji was a Nigerian drummer, educator, social activist, and recording artist. I'll never forget when he spoke words of praise and encouragement that motivated me and encouraged me to strive in the art of African dance. That's summer under the choreography of George Howard a teacher at Elma Lewis school of African American artist we danced at the playhouse in the park to Afro blues by Olatunji.
~Sis.Vida Everett~
This is part 3 of our interview with Mama DeAma Battle who is an arts education and dance pioneer at the forefront of African rooted dance and music being introduced to our communities and educational institutions in New England. She is the Artistic director of Art of Black Dance and Music Inc. which has been in existence since the early 70's.
Listen in to hear all about the African dance and music scene then and now.
This is continuation of our interview with Mama DeAma Battle who is an arts education and dance pioneer at the forefront of African rooted dance and music being introduced to our communities and educational institutions in New England. She is the Artistic director of Art of Black Dance and Music Inc. which has been in existence since the early 70's.
Listen in to hear all about the African dance and music scene then and now.
Mama DeAma Battle is an arts education and dance pioneer at the forefront of African rooted dance and music being introduced to our communities and educational institutions in New England. She is the Artistic director of Art of Black Dance and Music Inc. which has been in existence since the early 70's.
Listen in to hear all about the African dance and music scene then and now.
Our Special guest is Sis.Jewel Cash "Pumpkin". Sis.Jewel, affectionately known as Pumpkin"has been dancing in Boston and abroad from the age of four. She studied 13 styles of dance from across the world. Tune in to hear more from Sis.Jewel.
Sister Sumayya E.Diop was born in Roxbury Mass..She is a professional dancer and teacher who works with children in the Seattle Public Schools. She has studied many genres of dance. She will discuss dance, music and it's impact on community building. She focuses on working with girls of African descent. Her training and research has been on the east coast, west coast and the Ecole des Sables in Senegal West Africa founded by Germaine Acogny. Tune in to hear all about Sis.Sumayya E.Diop's artistic journey.
Bro.Jamemurrell Stanley is a professional musician who grew up in Roxbury Massachussetts.
He is the son of dance pioneer Akila Stanley who is the artistic director of Unity African Dance and Theatre Company. He has grown up around music dance and the arts all of his life. Bro.Jamemurell is a producer of the album "Sketches of Africa", musician, teacher and entrepreneur of "Chocolate Thunder" merchandise. He will discuss his travels, teachers, and artistic journey.
C-Jah Amen Mobley grew up in Roxbury, Ma.. He began to study percussion at an early age at The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts with Babatunde Olatunji. He also began his training in martial arts at an early age. He has travelled all over the country as a musician and teacher. C-Jah Amen has graced the stage as a musician in many genres of music. He has been the musical director and member of many prominent dance and music companies, He has made cameo appearances in manywell known movies such as Amistad. C-Jah Amen is the Master of the new 24 kick Tai Chi Ch'uan Kick Form, which he developed. Tune in to hear all about Bro.C-Jah Amen's artistic journey.
Bro.Robert Bellinger, whom we know as "Bro.Sipho", will discuss his artistic journey in Boston and abroad. He will talk about what inspired him to create and develope African dance and music connections for people in Boston to experience.
Sis.Jeannine Osayande is the founder and executive director of Dunya Performing Arts Company in Swarthmore Pennsylvania. She is archiving the rich history of Swarthmores Pennsylvania's historically black neighborhood where her family has been rooted for over 100 years. Sis.Jeannine Osayande will discuss dance, family ties and social identity as an artist and teacher in Boston and abroad.
Brother Brandon Guillermo will talk to us about growing up in Brooklyn New York and learning to play percussion at jam sessions and bembes. He will talk about the music and dance scene in New York and in Boston in the 70's and 80's. He will share his insights about Jazz, Afro-Cuban and African music then and now as an arts educator and performer.
Our guest on Spirit of Creativity will be Bro.Leon Mobley.
Brother Leon will talk to us about his days as a youth in Roxbury Mass. and the influential people who resided in the Fort Hill area. He held many interesting jobs as a youth. He will tell us about his days at the Elma Lewis school as well as his time on the PBS's program Zoom. Leon is the black man at the forefront of the Remo brand djembe drum. He will tell us about his travels around the world as a master musician in concert with other well known bands and artist . Listen in to hear more about Bro.Leon and his insights on Show Business.
Bro.Stone received his first drum from his father at the age of nine in Hartford Connecticut. The Artist Collective in Hartford Connecticut co-founded by Clarice "Dollie" McLean and her husband Jackie McLean was one of the well renowned institutions where Bro.Stone studied the arts. Some of Bro.Stone's Teachers were Chief Bey and Ibrahima Camara and more whom he will discuss with us. Bro.Stone will tell us about his transition to Boston as an artist and the companies he worked with. Bro.Stone was the lead singer in the band One People. He is among the first to bring African dance and music to the Dance Complex despite community opposition. He also brought African dance and music to independent black schools. Brother Stone started several groups and companies across the country and performed in the 1996 Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Our Spirit of Creativity guest is Brother Stephen O'Neal.
Growing up in Dorchester, Bro.Stephen got to experience the best of black arts and culture as a student at The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts in Roxbury. Brother Stephen O'Neal is a professional percussionist who started studying the Arts at The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts in Roxbury Mass. at a very early age. He played drums on Babatunde Olatunji's Drums Of Passion Album at the age of seven. He has performed in Boston's Black Nativity for 42 years. Bro.Stephen will talk to us about his journey as an artist in Boston Mass..
In Spirit Of Creativity welcomes Sister Iginaijah Seck. Sis.Igina is my FIRST teacher in traditional African dance. She started her first dance company, Dancers of Yimard in her teens.
She was the youngest artist of the first African Dance Companies in Boston Mass.: Bokande and The Art of Black Dance and Music. She is a vocalist who has hailed as the number one female reggae artist in Boston. Sis.Igina will talk to us about her artistic Journey.
Our guest is Sister Ife Bolden. She will talk about her dance Journey as a teacher and performing artist. Sister Ife will also talk about her role in the start and continuation of a well known permanent African Dance teaching space in Cambridge Massachusetts.
Sister Shelia Wilson is a teacher of children, an arts educator and performing artist. Her roots are in Boston Mass.. We discuss her school, the arts scene at the Piano Factory and the early days of African dance in Boston.
An interview with Sis.Liz Osun Kemi,
We talk about the history of African rooted culture in Boston and abroad,
as well as her contributions to the arts community.