Program Benefits

Communal drumming and dancing can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and skill levels.

Hand drumming and dancing are low barrier to entry activities.

Drum and dance are lots of fun, they help people becoming comfortable expressing themselves as individuals and as part of a group.

Arts education can make a dramatic difference in the trajectory of students.  Drumming and dancing unlock new skills and abilities, deliver ongoing achievements and help develop a more open sense of self. Students develop highly effective flow state learning skills they can apply in other areas of their life. At the end of class each student leaves as a more centered, happy and relaxed person They take those feelings, mindset and energy into their educational community, home life and neighborhood.

The skills acquired with Benkadi can be built upon outside of our classroom and for a lifetime.

Traditional West African drum and dance provides a positive cultural experience and an entry point to African history, geography, social studies and cultures - topics most Americans have almost no knowledge of.

Exposure to other cultures and experiences broadens a person’s understanding of and empathy towards others and brings us all closer together as people.