KOFI DENNIS

artist website: https://playforconcepts.org

Kofi Dennis, ambassador of West African culture, preserves and promotes the traditions of his cultural heritage through storytelling, music, drumming, and dance. Kofi brings a wealth of teaching and performing experience to his work – he received a degree in Early Childhood Education at Komenda Teaching College, University of Cape Coast and graduated from the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana before coming to the United States in 1993. A specialist in early childhood education and arts integration, Kofi is a Wolf Trap Master Teaching Artist and the founder of Play for Concepts, Inc., leading Wolf Trap’s Baby Artsplay!TM and Artsplay!TM family-based classes and training teachers across the U.S., in Singapore, and in Ghana. In the DC area, Kofi regularly teaches classes for Montessori schools and homeschool groups and leads workshops with at-risk and court-involved youth. Past performance venues include the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater, Avalon Theatre, Taste of D.C., Baltimore’s ARTScape, and hundreds of schools, libraries, arts centers, festivals, and community spaces. With his extensive background as a teacher and performer, Kofi has developed classes, performances, and workshops that engage, educate, and entertain audiences of all ages.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES

Engaging, educational performances, workshops, and residencies for schools, libraries, and other community settings. Programs may be presented in-person or virtually and may be tailored to students in grades preK-12, families, college students, and adults.

PERFORMANCES

Anansegro: A Visit to An African Village

Join master artist Kofi Dennis for an imaginary journey to share in the sounds, drumming, and movements of African rhythmic traditions. Discover call and response songs, stories, traditional instruments, and games in a highly interactive exploration of African cultures and customs.

Tu-bom! Tu-bom!

Master artist Kofi Dennis brings children’s books, rhymes, and songs to life through storytelling, drums, instruments, scarves, and movement . Let’s play, sing, drum and dance together while exploring what makes each of us special. May also be scheduled as a class series for early childhood centers and groups.

WORKSHOPS & RESIDENCIES

Workshops and residencies for teachers, students of all ages, and community groups are available. Topics include West African drumming, dance, traditional storytelling, traditional games, and creative dramatics (where teachers learn to help students create and dramatize their own stories). Workshops may be scheduled individually, in a series, or as part of an artist residency. Options available upon request.