National Arts in Education Week BAC Teaching Artist Spotlight: Harold Akyeampong
"If you like music, you carry the drums." Harold Akyeampong smiles as he recalls this proverb from his youth in Mankessim, Ghana. As a BAC Teaching Artist, Akyeampong brings the rhythmic sounds of the Djembe drum from West Africa to students in New York City public schools, along with his many proverbs. Since 2012, he has worked with BAC, teaching West African Drumming in schools across Brooklyn. Wherever he teaches, Akyeampong sees the creative potential in young people and uses music to unlock some of those hidden treasures. Like all BAC arts residencies, Akyeampong’s classes foster creativity and imagination. In addition to drumming, his students experience some of the rich cultural traditions of Ghana, through stories, clothing, artifacts and instruments that he shares. This arts-integrated approach also reinforces BAC's goals of expanding verbal and non-verbal communication skills, enhancing capacities for critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as fortifying essential social-emotional skills. As a trained ethnomusicologist with degrees from both the United States and Ghana, Akyeampong instills a love of learning in everything he does. His classes also build life skills of independence and interdependence. Akyeampong believes strongly that no matter where a person goes in life they need their education. "One of my greatest strengths as a teaching artist is my ability to use my knowledge of the world's art traditions to challenge and inspire students to express their voices, " he says. "I'm not just a music teacher, I'm a life coach."
Learn more about BAC Arts in Education.
Photo: Harold Akyeampong teaches djembe drumming at PS40. Photo by BAC Arts in Education Director Philip Alexander.
