As usual, Pape had a busy week in Phoenix. He taught workshops at schools and churches, coached ensembles at Glendale and Scottsdale Community Colleges, and worked on a few drums for local players. He also put some polish on Ensemble Ndeye Soxna in preparation for  a salon concert in a Scottsdale home for which he was a featured guest. Though it was a shared program, he stole the show! Before it was over, audience members were singing, clapping along, and dancing in the aisles. I’m so glad we got to be apart of it! 

Among the highlights of Pape’s visit were: a day spent teaching sabar to Brophy Prep students (I can’t remember the last time 34 sabar drums were played all at once in Phoenix–thanks to Dr. Johnathon Robinson!); teaching about ndëpp in a Health Rhythms class at ASU (thanks to Frank Thompson!); and conducting Phoenix’s the first-ever combined sabar/djembe class, hosted by AZ Drum and Dance (thanks to Lorin & Bernd!)