The Sankofa Dance Project and Sankofa Youth Reach have SERVED THE FOLLOWING NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY since the projects beginning in December 2007 (information as of 5/2010)
5172 attended events
- Over 900 attended the performances of Ron K. Brown’s, Exodus at the University Dancers Concert. December 2007.
- Over 500 high school students, teachers and community attended The Respect Project at Springfield Technical Community College. May 2008.
- 800 attended The Sankofa Festival at UMass Amherst Rand Theater. June 2008.
- 1,472 students, teachers and community attended the Alvin Ailey II educational outreach performance at the Fine Arts Center, a Sankofa Dance Project/Fine Arts Center Collaboration. October 2008.
- Over 800 attended the performances of George Faison’s Movin’ On at the University Dancers Concert. December 2008.
- Over 350 elementary school students, teachers and community attended the African Dance lecture/demonstration event at Old First Church in Springfield. May 2009.
- 350 attended the Sankofa Festival at UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. June 2009
- Over 800 attended the performance of Chuck Davis’s Blue Grass/Brown Earth at the University Dancers Concert. December 2009.
- Over 500 elementary school students, teachers and community attended the Stepping lecture/demonstration event at Old First Church in Springfield. February 2010
286 students participated in classes and other educational activities
- 15 Five College students participated in the residency, rehearsal and performance of Ron K. Brown’s Exodus. September-December 2007.
- 75 Springfield high school students participated in the Sankofa Youth Reach Dance classes in Springfield, MA. March 2008.
- 12 UMass Amherst students participated in a Master Class with Tony Award winner, George Faison. May 2008.
- 55 students participated in the Sankofa Dance Project Summer Dance Intensive with George Faison. Participants came from 27 different communities in 10 different states and ranged in age from 15 to 56. June 2008.
- 22 Five College students participated in the residency, rehearsal and performance of George Faison’s, Movin’ On. September-December 2008.
- 55 students participated in Sankofa Youth Reach/Bamidele Dancers and Drummers 4 week African dance classes and residency at Springfield’s Central High School. April 2009
- 52 students participated in the Sankofa Dance Project Summer Dance Intensive with Chuck Davis. Participants came from 26 different communities in 7 different states who range in age from 15 to 71. June 2009.
- 40 students participated in Sankofa Youth Reach 4 month stepping program in 3 Springfield Elementary Schools; Zanetti, Rebecca Johnson and Gerena. October 2009-January 2010
- 30 students participated in Sankofa Youth Reach/Bamidele Dancers and Drummers 6 week African dance classes and residency at Springfield’s DeBerry Elementary School. May-June 2010.
65 artists and staff were hired
- 47 MA residents hired (37 MA residents volunteered their time)
- 26 individuals hired living outside of MA
DIVERSITY
UMass Amherst Outreach’s collaboration with the UMass Amherst Department of Music and Dance has generated The Sankofa Dance Project and Sankofa youth Reach The project is focused on African Roots in American Dance and is passionate about celebrating diversity. Each year the project is helmed by one Master African American Dance Artist who assists in guiding the years activities which include a summer dance intensive, youth dance classes and events in Springfield MA, a residency with the UMass Amherst Dance Department and a collaboration with the Fine Arts Center. Sankofa’s activities have continually reflected the diversity in the world around us.
- Roughly 70% of all participants in the Sankofa Summer Dance Intensives were students of color.
- Roughly 60% of all participants in the Sankofa Summer Dance Intensives were women.
- Roughly 50% of all artistic and administrative staff for Sankofa activities from 1/08 – 7/09 were individuals of color.
- Roughly 56% of all artistic and administrative staff for Sankofa activities from 1/08 – 7/09 were women.
