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MSAD #57 P.A.L.Partners In Arts and Learning |
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MSAD #57 P.A.L.Partners In Arts and Learning |
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Mohamed Kalifa Camara ~ PAL's first Artist-In-Residence
Mohamed Kalifa Camara
was our first PAL artist-in-residence. During the
last two weeks in September 2000, Mohamed worked with all
the 3rd graders in MSAD #57, teaching them dance, movement,
and African culture. Mohamed shared his expertise in the
traditional dances of his homeland of Africa. He came with impressive
credentials: Mohamed is currently an assistant professor at
the Berklee School of Music and a performer with his group,
"The Spirit of Africa". Born in West Africa, he became the
director of the African Ballet of Gambia. He now performs in
festivals and teaches his love of dance and music to school
children and adults. During the summer months, Mohamed
serves on the faculty at the Heartwood College of Art in
Kennebunkport, ME.
**This may take a few minutes,
depending on the speed of your connecton to the internet, to
download all 15
photos from the
September 21, 2000 performance at the Shapleigh Memorial
School. After the first two of Mohamed and his brother Fode,
the pictures are in sequence beginning with the final
practice and concluding with the teachers and parents
dancing with Mohamed while the children look on. They
wouldn't be laughing would they?! Notes on the residency: The 3rd
graders at Shapleigh Memorial learned African dance,
drumming, and culture from Mohamed Kalifa Camara Monday -
Thursday, September 18th - 21st. Thursday afternoon they put
on a fantastic performance for the student body, parents and
community. The third graders performed their African dances
and Mohamed and his brother Fode Oulare entertained with
songs from Mohamed's recent CD's. (You can buy a CD from
Mohamed by emailing him at Mohamed Kalifa Camara at
mcamara@berklee.edu,.) Additional highlights of the
program were the audience participation dances. After
inviting other students "on stage' to learn a dance, Mohamed
then had a surprise for the students. Teachers and parents
came up for a dance of their own! Although the photos below are
from the Shapleigh Memorial School residency, Mohamed was in
residency at all MSAD #57 elementary schools during the last
weeks of September, beginning of October. There was an
overwhelming positive response from all! Mohamed Kalifa
Camara Mohamed with his brother
Fode Oulare. Practice... Putting on the 'lapas'
(African costume) for the boys...You
want me to wear what?!! Mohamed and Fode performing
a duet... The Shapleigh students,
teachers and parents are
enthralled... Lamba - Welcoming
dance... Lamba - Welcoming
dance... Lamba - Welcoming
dance... Taking a
bow... Agricultural
Dance... Agricultural
Dance... Students from the audience
get a turn... Big surprise for the
students! Teachers and parents can dance
too... Who's that laughing on the
sidelines???
