NEWS

May
07

Bizung School of Music and Dance

The Language of the Dagomba

by Sara-Maria Sorentino

Teachers and students at Bizung know a myriad of different native languages such as Twi, Ewe, Gonja, Hausa, Kusasi, Bimoba and Buli, but the majority of the students at Bizung speak Dagbani, the language of the Dagomba people in Ghana’s Northern Region. It is in this subtly commanding tongue—the idiom of their families, community and ancestors—that the children best express their hopes and dreams, and that their musicality emerges.

May
02

Ceremony Marks Official Groundbreaking for new Youth Media Studio in Denver

by Thea Nash

On April 10th, members of the Playing For Change Foundation were in Denver, Colorado to witness the groundbreaking of a Youth Media Studio (YMS) and development project in the city’s La Alma district. It was an exciting day for everyone involved. The ceremony included members of the community, local activists, artists and esteemed guests, including many of Colorado’s elected officials as well as the band, Flobots and our own Denver based board members. Playing For Change musicians, Mermans Mosengo and Jason Tamba were also in attendance.

Apr
19

École De Musique de Kirina

Work Begins on New Classroom in Mali

by Francois Viguie

Despite a political crisis in Bamako, and a very uncertain situation in the North of the country, the Music School in Kirina is thriving and we have started new extension works this week. This extension represents a crucial step for the development of the project and we are very excited about it. The first structure that we are building is an open-air dance classroom. The classrooms of the music school were too small to welcome all our dance students in optimal conditions and this new space will allow our fantastic dance teacher, Oumou Mariko, and his students to express themselves in an adapted space. The open-air classroom will also be a multitask space that will be used for music instruction, performances, and workshops.