The Antioch School has a wonderful artist in residence program. Every year we welcome guest teachers specializing in a wide range of fields - all the way from archaeology to dance, music, theater, and poetry. The residency program is a great opportunity for the children to experience unique classes, and work with talented specialists who are experts in their craft. As the art and science teacher, it is my pleasure to host the resident teachers in the art and science room and help them facilitate their lessons with the children.
Earlier this school year we welcomed Jeff White, who is an archaeologist, entrepreneur and educator. Jeff has visited the school before, and his return was highly anticipated by the children who remember his first residency week with us in the fall of 2018. Jeff’s residency included hands-on study of prehistoric and historic artifacts, cataloging model artifacts in prepared model dig pits, and a few chemistry demonstrations as well. Jeff will return for another week this spring to lead dig site excavations around the school grounds. The children discovered the foundation of an old building that once stood near the parking lot in past digs with Jeff. I’m excited to see what is uncovered this time around!
We've also welcomed two drumming teachers into our residency program this year. Gyamfi Gyamera, who we fondly call Baba G, introduced the YG and OG to the djembe, conga, and dun duns in the fall. His lessons introduced the children to the origins of the instruments in Africa and the Caribbean, West African salutations, and West African drum culture. The groups learned the basic sounds the drums can make (slap, bass and tone), proper drumming position and technique, and two traditional West African rhythms: Kuku and Kakilambe. By the end of Baba G’s residency, the children knew the rhythms and song forms so well and loved playing them so much that they decided to perform them at our Thanksgiving feast - the concert had no conductor - the children chose lead drummers who cued their classmates with the “call” rhythm of the songs.
Our second drumming teacher is Tom Kondas, who will be teaching all the children on Wednesdays in January and February. Tom has picked up where Baba G left off with the OG and YG - he’s challenging them to hone their precision and technique, and is teaching us a new rhythm - train jam! The Kindergarteners and Nurseries are thoroughly enjoying their time with Tom as well. They are learning the basics like the YG and OG did in the fall - the bass, tone, and slap techniques, and how to feel a steady beat in the music. Tom leads them in marching games to practice feeling the beat, but he also indulges their need to move to the music in their own way. The most thrilling part of drum time with Tom for the Nurseries and Kindergarteners is the train jam dance time. It’s a beautiful way for them to express their joy and creativity!
