Tag: drumming

Head’s Corner: Learning to Listen, Together

Last Friday morning, a group of Saklan parents gathered with Isaac to experience our West African drumming program firsthand.

Isaac introduced us to movements from West African music traditions and explained what they communicate to an audience. For us, those first dance steps offered another lesson: learning very often requires a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.

Dancing (sometimes awkwardly) with other adults makes us vulnerable — and connected — through movement and laughter. It was a useful reminder of what we ask of our children every day—to take risks, try new things, and trust the people around them.

As we moved into drumming, Isaac emphasized the importance of listening. He remarked that in West Ghanaian culture, there is a strong emphasis on listening over speaking, and that our first responsibility in making music together is to listen to others before adding our own contributions.

That idea reaches well beyond music. Collaboration and learning depend on noticing what others are doing, making room for their contributions, and adjusting our own. In a classroom, a conversation, or a group of musicians, listening helps us find our place while staying connected to the whole.

We ended by talking about the many kinds of learning involved in making music: attention, memory, movement, coordination, and connection with others. We left with a deeper appreciation of what our students experience in the drumming program—and why it has a meaningful place at Saklan.

For me, the morning brought several of our beliefs about learning to life. We learn through experience. We grow when we feel comfortable enough to take a risk. And we contribute more thoughtfully when we first make the effort to connect and listen.

Isaac gave us a chance to practice all three, together.

#SaklanHeadsCorner #SaklanHandsOn #SaklanCommunity

My Journey to Ghana: Learning, Music, and Community

Written by Guest Blogger & Saklan Drumming Teacher, Isaac Narell

After years of teaching Ewe music, I had the opportunity to travel to Ghana to deepen my understanding of the culture and traditions that inspire so much of my work with Saklan students.

The short film below chronicles my time in the village of Dzogadze, where I was hosted by the family of master musician Vodzi Torgboh. I had the privilege of studying under his cousin, Kofi, learning ancient drumming, dance, and song. The video offers a glimpse into my daily life—from intensive lessons and vibrant festivals to participating in meaningful community events. It’s a tribute to the people, music, and spirit of Dzogadze.

A special thanks to the Saklan Summer Reflection Fund for helping to make this trip possible.

The Saklan Summer Reflection Fund: Investing in Teachers, Enriching Students

In 2022, thanks to the generosity of our parent community, Saklan created the Summer Reflection Fund—a special resource that empowers teachers to design their own opportunities for professional and personal growth.

This fund (up to $2,500 per recipient) encourages faculty and staff to think outside the box and pursue experiences that deepen their teaching practice. Past recipients have attended the Annual Broadway Teachers Workshop in New York City and traveled to Egypt to explore Ancient Egyptian history, art, engineering, the Sahara Desert environment, and the Nile ecosystem firsthand.

The impact of these experiences extends far beyond the summer—teachers bring new insights, inspiration, and creativity back into their classrooms, enriching the learning experience for Saklan students.

The Summer Reflection Fund is made possible through donations to the Annual Giving Fund and the Auction. We are deeply grateful to our donors for their generosity and belief in the importance of supporting our teachers.

#SaklanProfessionalDevelopment #SaklanAGF