Meet our Artists
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Christian Adeti | Music & Dance
Christian Adeti | Music & Dance
"Mr. Adeti was such a wonderful role model for all the students. He is calm, yet energetic. Happy and accepting, yet holds everyone to high standards. The children loved his energy and willingness to answer questions. Our favorite part was hearing the stories of how the dance related to the people of West Africa and to hear the song/dance being explained." -- Ms. Krider, St. Anthony Park Elementary School
"Christian was extremely positive and encouraging, continually expressing ideas of unity and overcoming barriers in our lives. Staff and students are still talking about their experience and how it was the most interactive and positive residency we've ever had. Christian was able to make this drumming experience truly a cultural one, and was able to meet each student at his/her developmental level--which is a wide spectrum at our school!" -- Ms. Pelletier, Minnesota State Academy for the Blind
Christian was born and raised in Accra, Ghana, in West Africa. Since six years old, he has loved traditional African music and dance which he started exploring in a drama group at his church. He then danced in a local troupe called OMEGA-7, which refined his talent. Later in high school, he created the theatre and dance group aptly named Bright Future. They toured around schools and won multiple awards. Christian moved to Minnesota in 2003 with an enormous passion for West African drumming and dance. He hopes that the tradition of African drumming and dancing will unlock the ancestral vibration that has been covered for centuries, which involves peace and love to the whole planet earth.
He has taught at many colleges and universities around Minnesota, as well as at various organizations and local institutions. Christian is also a dance instructor at the Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts.
Christian has taught at numerous colleges and universities such as Carleton, St. Olaf, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Hamline University and the University of Minnesota. He has coached at various organizations and local institutions such as Minnesota’s African Women, Elom International Academy, Park Center and Northview high schools.
Sample Programs: Customizable To Site’s Needs
Residency
West African Drumming, Dance & Storytelling
Over the course of my residency, students and teachers will be encouraged to participate in the discovery of West African drumming, dance and storytelling. West African culture is rich with symbols, rituals, conflict, history and opportunity. The metaphor of West African music and dance allows students to experience the culture in a rhythmic and physical realm. My comprehensive programs involve elements of dance and music but from the perspective of transforming traditional music and movement into contemporary statements of change and hope. Students will experience and learn traditional songs and dances. There will be optimal moments for storytelling and for revealing to students the history of the dance and rituals within the authentic context of an ethnic community/classroom gathering.
Performance
Christian Adeti & Guests (Cultural Arts & Learning) School Assembly Program
Need a great performance for your school assembly? In today’s economy when our schools are faced with budget cuts, the first programs to go are the arts programs.
Let Christian Adeti and Guests expose your students to African culture through an interactive performance that combines dance, music, games, wordplay and instruments!Adding this performance to your next school assembly will not only support your educational curriculum but will also allow students to:
- Develop creative expression, practice active motion and develop rhythmic awareness as they explore African dance and movement.
- Develop general fitness, coordination, and balance as the students explore African dance and instrument play.
- Stimulate creativity and enhance self-expression through imaginative play and creative movement.
- Have an enhanced sense of cultural awareness and understanding of the concept of diversity.
Suitable for K - 12 grade students with a minimum of one or two artists. These assemblies are high energy and require a lot of active participation from both students and teachers. A multipurpose room or a stage is the best suited room for this program, however, we are willing to work with whatever resources are available to your school.
