DARKE COUNTY – Darke County public school students in grades 4–6 recently experienced an exciting musical adventure spanning Africa, the Middle East, and India through an Arts in Education performance presented by Darke County Center for the Arts (DCCA).
Percussionist Kattam captivated students with an energetic, multicultural performance featuring the sounds of traditional instruments from around the world, including the n’goni, balafon, djembe, naffar, derbouka, and dhol. Accompanied by his playful monkey, Takoum, Kattam blended rhythm, song, and dance to introduce students to diverse musical traditions in an entertaining and interactive way.
The performance quickly had students clapping to the beat and getting on their feet to dance along. Through this lively experience, students discovered how music and movement can bring people together across cultures, offering an engaging introduction to the rich artistic traditions of communities around the globe.
Darke County Center for the Arts is committed to making meaningful arts experiences accessible to students throughout Darke County. Through its Arts in Education program, DCCA brings professional artists and performances into local schools, enriching students’ educational experiences while encouraging creativity, cultural awareness, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. This programming is made possible with support from Maid Rite Sandwich Shoppe, Wayne HealthCare, Darke County Foundation, Park National Bank, Ohio Arts Council, City of Greenville Community Funds, John & Miriam Knick Memorial, and the Greyson James Steyer Memorial, as well as Darke County Public Schools.
DCCA’s Arts in Education program stands as the only one of its kind in the state of Ohio and is exceptionally rare nationwide. DCCA brings professional touring artists directly to every grade level of every public school in Darke County, explicitly aligning performances with school curricula to inspire and culturally enrich students. The upcoming curriculum-integrated roster includes Kattam Drums (West African rhythms for grades 4–6), Simply Three (a high-energy classical crossover string trio for junior high), Aim High Canines (stunt and trick dogs for grades 1–3), and Solomon Jaye (multi-vocalist and world-class tap dancer for high school students). This very unique program will reach 7,600 students.
To learn more about Darke County Center for the Arts and its educational programming, visit www.darkecountyarts.org
