University Programs
Ryan Camara with the SOU West African Cultural Drumming Ensemble
Ryan M. Camara is firmly committed to preservation, promotion, scholarship and performance of traditional West African music and dance in higher education. Ryan has developed engaging courses, lecture/demonstrations, master classes, and performances that easily be integrated into existing curriculums or can be the basis for an area of concentrated multi-discipline study combining aspects music, ethnomusicology, history, anthropology, sociology and linguistics in order to gain a more complete perspective on the role of music in traditional cultures.
Ryan's program offerings include various lengths and focus topics. A number of are often combined during Ryan's visits.
Residencies
Ryan's hands-on cultural performance ensemble course, available in quarter, semester or full year increments, giving students of all levels a flexible, multi-disciplined, culturally authentic percussion course with substantial cross-curriculum possibilities. More . . .
Lecture/Demonstrations
Single class session designed to provide an introduction to the music, dance and culture or Mande speaking people for music of non-western cultures, West African History and Ethnomusicology classes. Features lecture, multi-media presentation and live demonstrations of instruments. More . . .
Master Class
One time class session generally geared towards undergrad/grad music and percussion majors wishing to learn or enhance their technical proficiency with West African instruments and musical concepts. More . . .
Performance
A one time production of West African music and dance. Can be a student/faculty recital or professional staging. More . . .
Ryan is currently on the Adjunct Faculty at Southern Oregon University and taught his full residency program, "West African Cultural Drumming Ensemble" during the 2006- 2007 school year. Additionally, Ryan has conducted residencies, lecture/demonstrations, master classes or performances at major universities including:
- Southern Oregon University
- University of California Santa Barbara
- University of Montana
- Colorado State University
- University of California Los Angeles
