As we say goodbye to Maxine Montilus, our previous Ti Atis teaching artist, HCX is happy to introduce Okai Fleurimont who will be teaching a 10-week arts residency, Discovering the Music of the African Diaspora, at PS 189 The Bilingual Center. Held in collaboration with HAUP’s after-school program for middle-school students, the HCX Ti Atis program provides youth of all ages an opportunity to connect with Haiti’s cultural heritage.
Okai has always been involved in giving back to his community through his work with organizations such as Hospital Audience Incorporated (HAI), WorldUp.org, and Hip Hop Saves Lives. Teaching children how to write lyrics, produce a beat, and through percussion lessons, Okai provides opportunities for youth to share their ideas and foster their creative development.
During this arts residency, children will discover the music of the African diaspora including: Blues & Jazz from New Orleans, Hip Hop and Salsa from New York, Reggae from Jamaica, Samba from Brazil, and Rara from Haiti. Okai will use instruments, audio, video, rap and poetry to help his students gain better knowledge of how the music of the past has developed into the music of the present. Using percussion instruments, participants start to understand the dynamic nature of music from the African diaspora, examine key influences and struggles, and begin to understand how culture and globalization interact in our daily lives and within music. HCX is pleased to welcome Okai!
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