Master classes with guest artists happen annually in Emma Willard School’s dance program, but this offering was a little bit different. Normally, the master classes are exclusive to students enrolled in dance courses at Emma, but this time the classes were opened up to the wider community in an effort to give people an opportunity to experience something they might not otherwise.

Dance Instructor Morgan Del Brocco and Dance Accompanist Danny Welchel (Danny is also part of the IT Department at Emma Willard as a computer specialist) worked with Head of Institutional Equity and Inclusion Prince Botchway to bring the program to the community. This year discussions around guest artists centered around doing something different. Morgan and Danny had overlapping experiences of West African dance and drumming and thought that might be something to bring to campus.

“I said, ‘I know a guy!’” says Danny. “I had very focused on one specific thing with music in college, and then getting exposed to that kind of drumming and Paschal changed everything for me. So, we reached out and went from there! Since I last saw Paschal, he married Zelma  and their program is kind of the two of them together, dance and drum, which I think is phenomenal.”

 

 

Paschal and Zelma are Ohio University’s Professor of Music Dr. Paschal Yao Younge and Professor Emerita of Dance Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge. 

“Danny and I have both had the experience, specifically with West African dance, that is all very community-based and super accessible to people that have never drummed or danced ever,” says Morgan. “It’s not just for people who have the background experience.”

“The formal way that Western musicians normally do these things is not how they approach it,” adds Danny. “Paschal has said, they don't really have a word for music, it’s just part of the community: everybody drums, everybody dances. It is not a performance, it’s a gathering where someone kicks off and everybody starts dancing, and everybody’s learning the drum parts! Then the next time around maybe you play that drum part. It is an all-are-welcome thing.”

 

The Emma community was invited to participate during a Morning Reports presentation featuring Danny’s experience as a drummer with Paschal and Zelma, Morgan’s with West African dance, and the significance of these visiting artists for Prince, who also recently reflected about the workshops and experience: 

Our school had the privilege of hosting Paschal Yao Younge and Zelma Badu-Younge, two extraordinary artists who brought the vibrant traditions of Ghanaian dance and drumming to our community. Their week-long residency was an immersive experience, as they visited different spaces and led a series of engaging dance and drumming workshops that energized and inspired students and adults.

Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the rhythms, movements, and cultural significance of West African music and dance. Paschal and Zelma’s passion for their craft was evident in every session, and their ability to connect with students regardless of prior experience made the learning process both accessible and deeply meaningful. The residency culminated in a school-wide performance on Friday, where students and adults showcased their newfound skills and appreciation for Ghanaian performing arts.

On a personal note, this experience was incredibly special to me. As someone born in Ghana, having Paschal and Zelma share their expertise and culture with our school community meant a great deal. What made it even more rewarding was seeing my own children actively participate in the classes and perform alongside Emma students. Watching them embrace the music and movement of Ghana on stage was a truly unforgettable moment.

 

The structure of the classes was similar to work Paschal and Zelma do frequently for communities and groups, choosing several pieces for both the drummers and dancers to learn together. This was a new way for both music and dance students at Emma to understand their respective modes of performance, and with their extensive experience in teaching to varied groups, the artists imparted these new ideas quickly.

“Zelma and Paschal are experts in the field, so they came in and just immediately knew what they needed to do and how to teach it in an efficient way because we were on such a tight turnaround,” says Morgan. 

 

 

Groups of dancers and drummers often began classes on their own to warm up before coming together to learn and practice—groups of students, but also Emma Willard School teachers, staff, and some of their younger children!

The end of the week culminated in performances in Kiggins Auditorium, showing off what they had learned together throughout the week while continuing that learning experience. 

“It was interesting to watch kids navigate having to pay attention to the drumming break because they aren’t used to that. They're used to being in the driver’s seat as dancers. They were wildly present through class, and as performers, because they had to listen for the break, they had to be present and listening.”

 

The hope is to continue this partnership with Paschal and Zelma specifically, but the week of workshops has opened the door for the Performing Arts Department at Emma Willard School to investigate how to incorporate more interdisciplinary perspectives into the curriculum. It is also important that these workshops occurred during Black History Month, highlighting the collaborative efforts of both individuals and departments on campus to bring new experiences and perspectives to campus. 

“As we celebrate Black History Month, this residency was a powerful reminder of the richness and depth of African heritage,” writes Prince. “It highlighted the importance of honoring and engaging with the cultural traditions that have shaped Black history and continue to inspire generations. We look forward to building on this experience throughout the month and beyond, creating more opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange and learning.”

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Paschal Yao Younge, Professor of Music at Ohio University, is currently the Executive and Music Director of Azaguno, Inc., a multi-ethnic ensemble based in Athens, Ohio, that focuses on research, preservation, and performance of African, African American, Caribbean, and Latin American Music and Dance. Paschal was born in Dzodze, a village in the Volta Region of Ghana, to Augustine Kwasiga Younge and Catherine Younge, both musicians. His parents introduced him to Western and traditional Ghanaian musical instruments at the early age of 3. Unsurprisingly, by age 8, Paschal had learned to play the organ and violin, accompanied the church choir with traditional African instruments, and participated in community cultural groups. Throughout his life, Paschal has continued to study and teach other Western musical instruments, such as the trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, alto saxophone, and clarinet, in addition to various traditional Ghanaian musical types and instruments. He continues to further his understanding and knowledge of African cultural heritage through drumming, dancing, and research. As a specialist in African choral and brass band music, clinician in other sub-Saharan African musical arts, world percussion, and advocate of intercultural, interdisciplinary, and multicultural music, Younge has presented and performed at several festivals, concerts, and conferences internationally in over 45 States/Provinces in the US/Canada and 29 countries. Before coming to Ohio University, Younge taught at WVU, where he served as Director of the World Music Center and at the University of Ghana as Principal Music Instructor and director of several ensembles, including brass bands, choirs, and other instrumental groups.

Zelma Badu-Younge, studied at the National Ballet School of Canada (Toronto), l' Academie des Grands Ballet Canadiens (Montreal), Alvin Ailey American Dance Center (New York City) and at the University of Ghana's School of Performing Arts. She holds a B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance and Choreography (Concordia University), an M.F.A. in Dance Ethnology (York University), and a Ph.D. in Culture and Values in Education (McGill University). Dr. Badu-Younge is the former Director of the School of Dance and Professor of Dance at Ohio University and dance Director/Choreographer for Azaguno, a multi-ethnic ensemble focusing on research, preservation, and the performance of global forms. She has presented scholarly papers, conducted workshops, and performed internationally in North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia, including guest speaker at Princeton University's 3rd International Symposium on the Music of Africa and the Society of Dance History Scholars conference on Dance Dramaturgy at York University. Zelma performed as a solo vocalist with the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir in New York City and throughout Canada and Germany and has produced multicultural arts festivals, concerts, conferences, and symposia. A recipient of the Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award - choreography (2016 & 2008), NAACP Image Award for Excellence in Faculty Academics and Research, and multiple awards in Canada - the prestigious Chalmers Awards for Creativity and Excellence in the Arts, Laidlaw Foundation, and Canada Council for the Arts Awards. She was also highlighted in a cover story as a Cultural Ambassador in Dance Teacher Magazine.