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African Voyages

In this interactive performance, students will learn the important role that music, dance, and storytelling play in everyday life in Cameroon, Central Africa. Students will enhance their understanding of community in Central Africa, will experience traditional dance and drumming, and will listen to a traditional story.

This program demonstrates to the students the true way that traditional music is played in Cameroon; percussion is not just drums, it includes a variety of instruments. The students will learn that this traditional music is made up of different parts that have to be played together. Each person has to learn how to respect the other parts and find their own place in the music - because that is what makes the music clean and sweet.

This is Njacko's most popular program!

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5-day Intensives

We Are One With The Drum / Let's Dance For Life

Both are five-day intensive programs designed to bring together students from different grades to learn about percussion, time, African culture, and cooperation. The programs were developed to help students learn a sense of respect and love within the school community. It will expand the students’ knowledge of time and mathematics through the unique frequencies and interlocking rhythms of African music.

During the first four days of the program, Njacko and the students will prepare the African songs/dances that they will perform for the rest of the school and/or parents on the last day of the program. The students will learn to play each piece as an ensemble with a variety of African percussion instruments (hand drum, bass drum, maracas, cow bell, balafon, etc.). As well, they will learn the dance steps and stories that are an integral part of the music they are learning to deepen students’ awareness of rhythm.

Each workshop will focus on either drumming or dancing, though there will be some overlap. Sometimes schools will ask Njacko come to see multiple classes (up to three in one day), so that there can be a large performance at the end showcasing everything the different groups of students have learned.

Contact us to book one of Njacko's programs!

Kalimba Orchestra

Kalimba Orchestra is a five day intensive program designed to share the sweet sounds of the Kalimba with students from grade 4 through to University in a hands-on workshop setting. The Kalimba (also known as the African Thumb Piano) is found all over the continent of Africa, and is essentially the grandfather of the modern day piano. Giving the students a unique chance to come close to this instrument will expand their knowledge of time and mathematics through the unique frequencies and interlocking rhythms of African music. The workshop will also build on the student’s understanding of community, African
culture, and cooperation.

This program will allow the entire group (30 students maximum) to participate by either playing a Kalimba or playing some shakers; these two instruments go very well together. People often think that shakers are very easy to play, but in the music business shakers are one of the hardest instruments to record! On top of playing an instrument, the students will also use their voices to accompany the music, learning to sing songs in African, English and French.

Contact us to book one of Njacko's programs!

Instrument Making (Maracas)

Njacko also offers an instrument-making workshop (students will make their own maracas out of recycling materials), and is able to blend and adjust his programs to suit the school's needs. Instructions will be provided as to what materials are required. After the instruments are made, Njacko will teach the students a song that they will play, sing and dance together.

Contact us to book one of Njacko's programs!

Njacko loves telling stories. He usually weaves a story or two into any program he offers, and is also available for storytelling festivals, conferences and engagements.

He has self-published one book - Baki and the Magic Egg. This is an original story written by Njacko and beautifully illustrated by Bruce Parsons. It is written in both English and French, and is the first in a series of Njacko’s children’s tales. Another story he wrote, The Lost Toumkak, is published in a collection of stories by Rubicon Publishing. Other stories that Njacko has written (but not yet published) include: The Lion Who Wanted To Be Vegetarian, Cohabitation, and The Littlest Dinosaur.

Baki is currently out of print, however the Toronto Public Library does have copies available to borrow.

Storytelling

Workshops and Performances for Children

Njacko is a storyteller, songwriter, composer, singer, musician, and percussionist who has been performing for children and adults since his childhood in Cameroon. He has a lifetime of practice in capturing the subtlety of dance and storytelling with his music – an essential part of the African performing arts. His programs for children and youth draw on parallels and differences between Canadian and African family life.

Njacko offers a variety of programs for schools, libraries, summer camps. Flip through his program offerings below to find out more!

BOOK NJACKO TO COME TO YOUR SCHOOL: Njacko's most popular program African Voyages is now exclusively available through Prologue Performing Arts. Please visit their website for details and booking.

What people are saying about Njacko's school visits:

I just wanted to express our sincerest thanks for Njacko's visit to our school, St.Monica on May 20th, 2022. He shared with our students his passion and love of music, his rich cultural heritage, and the importance and usefulness of the French language. He got all students involved in his performance, and spread his positive message of joy and unity--our gym was transformed into one big family celebration. Thank you for sharing your great talent and positivity Njacko!
WIth much appreciation,
Mme.Galletta, Mme.Covello, The staff and students at St. Monica (TCDSB)

Drumming

Njacko has discontinued his weekly Sunday classes in Toronto. We had so much fun making music at our Queen Street Studio, The S.P.A.C.E., and Fresh Paint. So many memories, so many incredible students, we're grateful for all who participated and performed with us over the years.

Njacko is available for drumming workshops and private lessons. Please contact us if you are interested and would like more information.

On this page you can find out more about Njacko's program offerings for children/students (including a mini-documentary), his storytelling, and drumming workshops. All of Njacko's programs are available in English and/or French.

Education

Cogeco did a story on Njacko's school workshops which provides a glimpse into the workshop series he offers. Here is the video: