February 13: Swamp Guinee at Seaton ES
Athena Kopsidas welcomed Teach the Beat back to Seaton ES (DCPS) in February as part of the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action this year. During a session with the upper elementary classes, students shared with associate director, Keesha Ceran, one student shared, “This week we celebrate school spirit and Black Lives Matter.”
Matt “Swamp Guinee” Miller facilitated the two visits with students in the school cafeteria, leading students through interactive lessons on different percussive instruments used in go-go. After sharing a brief history of go-go music, Miller introduced the school to his “friends” — musical instruments. Students were instructed to guess if you shake, scrape, or strike each instrument. As students became acclimated to the different instruments, Miller taught students a few beats that they practiced at the cafeteria tables before the “Seaton Elementary School Hot Fire Bees go-go groups” performed on stage with Miller. Students and staff alike created the go-go beats they had learned. The rhythmic sounds transformed Seaton’s cafeteria into its own go-go with students and adults beating their feet.
At the conclusion of their last session, Miller gifted the school one of his drums, thanking Seaton educators for their great efforts in educating the students and the high energy the students brought to these sessions.
Kopsidas shared,
Everything was great! We have a number of students who are non-verbal and who participated fully — on stage! They were so enthusiastic and engaged!
Read about last year’s visit at Seaton ES.
