Malawian artist visits area schools

Masankho Banda, a performing artist and educator originally from Malawi, Africa, will be an artist in residence in area schools Oct. 13–17.

Banda will teach African dance, traditional songs and drumming to students at Cove Creek’s Western Youth Network afterschool program. This student group will then travel to the LEAF Festival in Black Mountain to perform with Banda Sunday, Oct. 19. Banda will also be a visiting teaching artist with music students at Valle Crucis, Cove Creek and Hardin Park elementary schools.

He will be a visiting teacher with the Appalachian Gospel Choir, and with students studying music therapy and music education at Appalachian State Univesity. 

Members of the campus and local community are welcome to attend a free performance by Banda followed by a talk about his background and work Wednesday, Oct. 15, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. The program is part of the TCVA’s Lecture Series and is open to the public.

 Banda’s residency is co-sponsored by Appalachian’s Office of International Education and Development and the Watauga Arts Council. 

For more information, contact the Office of International Education and Development at (828) 262-2046 or e-mail Sarah Bergstedt at bergstedtss@appstate.edu