Cornell Coley - Drumming for Arts, Ed and Health

Award-winning teaching artist, Cornell "Sugarfoot" Coley, M Ed. draws upon thirty years of teaching and performing for workshops, classes, trainings and performances, including his original solo program "A Fascinating Rhythm" and his collaborative music project "Afrika Gente." A seasoned educator, gifted teacher and talented performer, he shares the enlightening, entertaining and healing power of rhythm with song and movement. In the classroom, library, museum, nursing home or hospital, he tailors the residency, workshop, class or drum circle to meet your needs. With youth, he teaches about culture and builds transferable life skills. With seniors and hospitalized populations, his drum circles enliven and delight, utilizing the joy of making music with others to boost individual health. His “Fascinating Rhythm” show is a lively, 1-hr interactive solo performance where Mr. Coley features drums, dance and culture of Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas - with audience participation. Moving from Egypt across the Sahara to the west African coast, then to the western hemisphere, he tells a story of the evolution and diversity of drumming. He often demonstrates accompanying dances. Audience members are invited to play the instruments for the exciting finale - a carnival "jam session." The "Afrika Gente" collaboration project brings Afro-Latin jazz together with other genres such as spoken word, dance, visual arts and theater. For example, in summer 2016, Mr. Coley brought Afro-Latin rhythms to the Caribbean Poetry Project with award-winning poets from Haiti and Zimbabwe. In 2017, he was invited to perform with stellar musicians from North Africa, Haiti, Israel and the Middle East in a "Welcome Strangers" concert for the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. In fall 2017, he created “Soul of Latin Jazz” concert, combining several elements: music, dance, poetry and visual arts. This event was performed a second year under the title of "Soul Synergy." Both with cast of over 18 performers and visual artists. In 2022, he wrote and performed “Rhythm Recipes”, a collaborate, 8-person performance ensemble with spoken word, songs, music and dance grounded in surviving Covid 19 in communities of color. In 2023, he created “An Evening in Ghana, featuring the award-winning “Akwaaba Ensemble,” as well as authentic Ghanaian food, fashion and art.