Africa Nola is an artist run organization that perserves and shares
West African culture in New Orleans through the teaching and
performance of traditional West African music and jazz.
Our mission is important because the thread which binds the quilt
of Louisiana culture is undeniably African and can be found in the
food, music, dance, religion, and language. New Orleans, is known for
its music, & ANola believes that the children who grow up here
deserve exposure to the roots that gave birth to local music culture.
After School Programs
Our after-school program provides musical and dance training as well
as mentorship or youth aged 8-18 years, teaching them to embrace
cultural diversity through performance of traditional West African
music, dance, and jazz. We also have specifically designed master
classes for more advanced brass band students who will learn the
music of Africa Brass in an ensemble setting.Our instructional
team consists of members of AfricaNOLA's three ensembles:
Africa Brass, which integrates African drumming, jazz, and
New Orleans brass; Kora Konnection, a blend of West African Mandinka
music and jazz; and African Village, a drum and dance ensemble.
Instructors
Our leaders are Morikeba Kouyate, a Senegalese griot (oral historian)
and kora (African harp) master; Thierno Dioubate, a griot from Guinea
and expert on balafon (African marimba) and djembe (African drum);
Jeff Klein, musician of 40+ years and executive director of AfricaNOLA;
Tim Green (saxophone), Giselle Nakhid, a professional dance artist
and choreographer. By instilling a cultural understanding of the
roots of New Orleans' music, students can use this program to launch
and create their own modes of expression to contribute to the
ever-evolving global artistic fabric.