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AJALI Leads Workshop at the Farmington Valley Arts Center Summer Arts Camp | Children's Spirits are lifted at Children's Hospital Medical Center |
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“What an incredible experience for our students! Not only have they
benefited
musically, but they have had a unique opportunity to learn about another
culture.” -Mary Lou Cobb Head of school for The Cobb School Montessori |
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Children
perform the
"Limbo"
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“The members of AJALI were guest artists for two full days at our annual
Enrichment Consortium at both of our elementary schools. They did a superb job
adapting their workshops to fit our needs. They received an overwhelmingly
positive response from our students and teachers alike.” |
“AJALI has been a pleasure to work with. I can always count on them to do
great performances and conduct awesome workshops. Their energy is contagious!
The kids in our summer arts camp really look forward to them coming back.” |
“Marceline, Gerard and Neal are passionate ambassadors of |
“It was so exciting having AJALI as guest instructors. Their whole approach to the class made everyone feel so comfortable. Gerard, Neal and Marceline brought a wealth of knowledge, not just technique but history and culture. They really pulled everything together for us. It was an added bonus.” -Susan Murphy Dean for Dance / The Hartford Conservatory |
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"Professional, joyful, entertaining…AJALI put on a
terrific show! What a wonderful addition to our multi-cultural music
festival.” -Laura Soll Event Manager / The Bloomfield Drum Festival |
“Drumming and dancing with AJALI has been such a wonderful experience for my
children. They have excelled in areas they had previously thought were not
possible. Their level of self-esteem is immeasurable. Gerard, Neal and Marceline
are truly gifted teachers. Our association with them has been both enriching and
rewarding for our entire family. ” -Betsy Van Gemeren Parent of 3 children in AJALI workshops and founder of The Drumamas, a mothers' drumming group |
![]() JOHN LONG/THE HARTFORD COURANT "Marceline Morris of the Trinidad-based drum and dance troupe Ajali, left, runs Gino Cahua and other West Hartford students through a dance umber Wednesday. The students are enrolled in the REACH program, an alternative high school for the town run at Conard High School, and have been working with the troupe under a grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council." |
“I can honestly say that everybody enjoyed the workshops, but it was
especially nice to see those who may not stand out in other areas, really plug
in to what was happening. AJALI’s workshops provided students a unique forum
to express themselves and receive positive feedback in a way they had not
experienced.” -Rina Hoffman Home/School Liaison for REACH, the alternative high school of West Hartford and recipient of the Greater Hartford Arts Council Grant for the Caribbean Drum/Dance Workshop |
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AP Biology students get motivated with AJALI at the Ethel Walker School “To
make it through any AP course, students have to be greatly motivated and able to
keep the pace. I’ve invited AJALI to come to my opening class for the past two
years. While students used to feel nervous and overwhelmed the first day, this
puts them at ease right away. Drumming and chanting together is a unifying
experience and a fun thing to do. Kids love it!” |
STUDENTS OF THE ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL
"Getting to play drums and sing real loud was such a stress reliever” -Noor Al-Hamed “I really had fun! Drumming together made me more comfortable with my classmates.” -Jarrea Youmans “I was totally psyched! Definitely!” -Christy Ward
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