New Music And Dance Fiesta At National Theatre

Prof Paschal Younge

The National Dance Company, National Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with Azaguno Inc and Ohio University (USA), will from Monday, November 14 to Saturday, November 19, present a series of workshops, seminars and performances at the National Theatre in Accra. 

Dubbed Azã, the project is a festival of new music and dance from Africa and the African Diaspora is set be an educational and transformational cultural experience for artists and Ghanaians from all walks of life.   

The groups alongside international artists representing the United States, Canada, Azerbaijan and India will perform new African orchestral music and dance works created by composer Paschal Younge, chorographer Zelma Badu-Younge, among others.

A three-day symposia and workshops focused on the theme: ‘The Arts & Artists in Contemporary Ghana’ will also be held as part of the programme. It is aimed at creating opportunities for the intellectual exchange of ideas, concepts, and recommendations to aid artists, arts development and cultural education in contemporary Ghana and beyond.  

Workshops and seminars lined up include ‘Sufi and Shamanic Music / Dance Traditions’, ‘American Marimba Tradition – History and Techniques’, ‘Music Therapy’, ‘Jazz Bass Technique’, ‘Hip Hop Dance Techniques’ and ‘Pilates’.

Keynote presentations are ‘Youth Empowerment through the Arts’, ‘Making of a Ghanaian Cultural Ambassador’, ‘Developing an all-inclusive Arts Curriculum for Ghanaian Schools’, ‘Contemporary African Dance Techniques’, ‘Jazz Dance Technique’ and ‘Black Dance in America’.

Speakers include Abla Dzifa Gomashie (Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts), Sashar Zarif (multi disciplinary artist), Erik M. Forst (Director of Percussion Studies, Messiah College, USA), Meghan Tedrick (freelance dance artist), Matt Urminski (multi instrumentalist / music educator), Prof Paschal Younge and Prof Zelma Badu-Younge.

A panel discussion on the topic – ‘Revitalising of Arts in Our Schools’ for teachers, educators and policymakers will equally be held at the National Theatre. Panelists include Prof Cosmos Mireku (University of Education, Winneba), Dr Jennifer Petrie (researcher), Dr Kristopher Olsen (Montana State University) and representatives from the Ministries of Education and Tourism.

Ohio Arts, Ohio University, Messiah College, Azaguno Inc, Ghana Tourism Authority and Central Hotel are supporting the programme.