Interactive Assemblies
Together We Celebrate Life!
The joy and spirit of African instruments and rhythms bring the value of diversity to life for the school community!
Assembly Programs
African Village Celebration Assembly Highlights
African Village Celebration
Onye Onyemaechi, MBA, world-renowned master African percussionist, performer, and teaching artist, engages students and teachers in a participatory experience of African Village Celebration. Students share in aspects of village life such as African drumming, dancing, songs, and stories. Onye's positive messages incorporate the importance of education and character traits such as respect, perseverance, responsibility, and team cooperation. He uses captivating music, native dress, and instruments presented in a historical and cultural context. All are encouraged to value and integrate their own heritages into their learning and living experiences.
Block bookings are available.
West African Drums and Percussion
Onye Onyemaechi, master African percussionist, brings joy and soul to African culture, music, and village life in Nigeria, West Africa. Mr. Onyemaechi will introduce the essential learning concepts of African musical instruments and rhythms in the historical context of traditional society. Drum performance, demonstration, explanations, and a question-and-answer session will be included. Together, let's celebrate diversity through the expressive art of drums, movement, and the rhythms of life.
Block bookings are available.
Arts Education Program
Workshops & Residencies
Finding Insights Through African Percussion
Grades: 6–12
Subjects: Music, Social / Humanities Studies, Social Emotional Learning
Students will explore the rich cultural heritage of the drum world and discover firsthand foundational rhythm techniques to enrich group interaction and community through call and response, composition, improvisational methods, and the integration of social-emotional skills such as empathy, patience, kindness, and clemency, and to exemplify positive relationships with one another. In conclusion, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate and perform together as an African Percussion Ensemble.
Exploring African Cultural Experience
Grades: 6–12
Subjects: Music, Social / Humanities Studies, Social Emotional Learning
Students will discover that growing up in an African village can provide a rich variety of cultural and educational experiences. It can spark a newfound love and appreciation of the continent of Africa. We will learn the historical and socioeconomic context of traditional society. Emphasis is on illustration, narrative, and dialogue on various themes such as kinship and the role of children and adults in ancient and contemporary times. Included are discussions of family and social life, with perspectives on sound value systems, ethics, and principles.
About the Artist
Onye Onyemaechi, MBA
Onye Onyemaechi has more than 30 years of experience providing educational entertainment in hundreds of schools, libraries, universities, and museums. He brings the joy and soul of African music, culture, and wisdom — plus a celebration of diversity — to pupils worldwide. A renowned master percussionist and inspirational speaker, Onye is the author of The Drum: Voice of the Village, and the bandleader and manager of Onye and the Messengers – AfroBeat World Music Band. He has been a member of the Massachusetts Performing Arts Student Series, Young Audiences of San Jose, Young Imagination, and ArtsBank Education programs, and is currently on the League of Volunteers – Arts In Schools roster. He is also in the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz Spectra Program. He has completed LBC's Kennedy Center Teaching Artist Professional Training and LBC Artist in Schools – Teaching Artist. He has also been an artist in the California Arts Council's Arts Education Partnership (LAEP) grant program with Santa Rosa City School District. Onye's programs for children have earned him a McDonald's Foundation Recognition Award, and he has been featured on NBC, the Wisdom Channel, and dozens of newspapers, interviews, and magazines. He holds a BA in Fine Art and an MBA in International Business, and has taught at several universities, hospitals, and institutes.
Principals Speak!
I Recommend Onye Onyemaechi's African Village Celebration
With his drums and trunk full of West African culture he brought us back to a feeling of community... Wisdom, love, respect, relaxation and celebration were all qualities experienced by our school during this exceptional program.
Nancy C. Mannion
The Discovery Center School, San Francisco, CA
"Together We Celebrate Life" was the resounding message that Onye Onyemaechi brought to the Westlake Elementary village. The drums, dance, and community feeling that Onye provided in his assemblies was palpable. It was especially enjoyable to watch teachers and students participating together.
Clyde Curley
Principal
The residents and staff here at the Juvenile Hall Detention Facility believe you have been our best performer to date. These young people have had serious law violations. Their self-esteem is very low. They believe they have no future. You gave them hope, love, and laughter. I thank you.
Carrie Jackson
Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall School
As a featured performer and speaker at our annual Multi-Cultural Events, Onye has always spread his inspiring messages of hope, love, and community. Onye is a treasured local resource, and he takes his role as cultural ambassador very seriously.
John D. Kennedy
Santa Rosa High
By the close of the program, every student had played at least one African musical instrument, participated in tribal dances and chants, tried on costumes, and meditated with Onye.
Patricia E. Crone
Head of Village School, Pacific Palisades, CA
Onye Onyemaechi is an extraordinary individual and contributor to the Bay Area arts and cultural scene… I love how group drumming and rhythm can coalesce a group of strangers into a collaborative process and feeling of community!
Bridget Palmer
ED, A Theater for Children
La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District
On Thursday, La Honda Elementary and Pescadero Elementary School were visited by Onye Onyemaechi, MBA, a globally acclaimed master percussionist, educator, author, and performing musician. He immersed our students and staff in an interactive exploration of African village life through drumming, dancing, songs, and village stories, fostering a cultural appreciation that encourages individuals to integrate their own heritages into their learning and living experiences. Thank you to San Mateo County Libraries for bringing this wonderful opportunity to both of our elementary schools.
All Programs Available Live or Virtually