Abdou Mboup Master Senegalese African Kora Musician, Author and Composer
Abdou Mboup was born in the small town of Kebemer, Senegal to a family of oral historians and musicians. Having studied traditional drum under the tutelage of his family, Abdou
Education Enrichment Program
Thank You to Our New Education Program Sponsor
Recent Events
Additional Programs
Caribbean Folklore and Steel Pan
New Canaan Elementary Schools | November 2024
Thank You to Our New Education Program Sponsor
Educational and enrichment programs
Our goal is to foster a better understanding of the value that each of us brings to our community. Our educational and enrichment programs are designed for our youth and are ideal for cross-cultural development and engagement.
What Educators are Saying
New Canaan Elementary School PTC
Our New Canaan Public Schools chose to feature NICE Hispanic Cultural dancers and singers to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. We thought the program from Yohanna Escamilla, Val Ramos and Tere Luna were fun, festive, upbeat and engaging for the children and taught them about flamenco and Mexican songs from various regions of Mexico. The costumes were lovely and the music was moving; we would be happy to bring NICE back to our schools for a different cultural program in the future!
Norwalk High School - Dr. Lynne Moore, Principal
At Norwalk High School, we are proud to work with the leadership of Norwalk’s NICE, Norwalk International Cultural Exchange, to plan and implement cultural events for our students. Janet Evelyn and her entire Team have access to many resources and understand how to connect our teens to world cultures. We are so fortunate to have NICE to guide and support our high school community.
Calendar of Cultural Educational Programs
Additional 2023 — 2024 Educational Programs
-
February 2024 – Black History Month Celebration with the Lost Tribe at Stepping Stones Museum
-
February 2024 Celebrate the Lunar New Year the Year of the DragonFebruary 2024 Celebrate the Lunar New Year the Year of the Dragon
-
February 2024 – Lunar New Year Celebration – Li Garden, Phoenix Performing Arts & Ju Long Wushu at Stepping Stones Museum
-
December 2023 – Kwanzaa Celebration – Sounds of Afrika at Stepping Stones Museum
-
October 2023 New Canaan Elementary Schools - Hispanic Heritage with Mexican Folkloric and Spanish Flamenco
-
October 2023 Marvin Elementry – Hispanic Heritage with Mexican Folkloric and Spanish Flamenco
-
October 2023 Norwalk High School General Assembly
What We Offer
We have several options for programming across numerous cultures and cultural performances that we can bring to your school or organization. We hope you will explore what we have to offer and consider us for your next enrichment program or event.
Sample Programs and Performances
- Steel Pan Band ( music made with steel drums that has its origins from the West Indies and known to the islands of Antigua, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago)
- Haitian and Jamaican Folklore in Cumbia, Mento, and Junkanoo.
- Puerto Rican Salsa, Afro-Latin Bomba,
- African Drumming
- Middle Eastern
- Jewish Klezmer Music
- Greek Traditional Dance
- South American
- Mexican Mariachi and Folkloric Dance
- Peruvian Marinera
- Brazilian Capoeira and Samba
- North American
- Bluegrass
- Zydeco
- Americana Roots
- Jazz/Soul/Blues
- European
- Irish step Dancing
- Bagpipers
- Baroque
- Flamenco
Program Options
Educational Performance
What
The program can be built around a specific cultural theme or type of performing art. For example, your music department might want to explore the origins and sounds of the Steel Pan Drum and how to create the sounds and notes.
When deciding on the type of program and cultural theme, please let us know what your first, second, and third choices are so we can best accommodate your schedule and the planned programming.
When
We will work with you and your schedule to set up a 45-minute program.
How
We will discuss with you the grade levels, interests, and timing of your event to set up an educational program for you and your organization.
Enrichment All Year Long
What
The program can be built around a specific cultural theme or type of performing art. For example, your music department might want to explore the origins and sounds of the Steel Pan Drum and how to create the sounds and notes.
When deciding on the type of program and cultural theme, please let us know what your first, second, and third choices are so we can best accommodate your schedule and the planned programming.
When
We will work with you and your schedule to set up a 45-minute program.
How
We will discuss with you the grade levels, interests, and timing of your event to set up an educational program for you and your organization.
Meet our Amazing Team
The Education and Enrichment Committee
Janet Evelyn
Founder & Executive Director
NICE Founder &
Executive Director
Kimberly Clyne
Secretary
Secretary of the NICE Board &
Account Manager of ION Group
Dulce Gandhi
Educator & Center Director
Educator & Center Director. &
Owner of Kumon of Norwalk
Gallery
Some Cultural Events to Celebrate
| February | Chinese New Year and Black History Month |
| April | Gathering of Nations (Native American) |
| May | Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
| June | Caribbean American Heritage Month |
| September | National Hispanic Heritage Month |
| October | Global Diversity Awareness Month and Indigenous Peoples’ Day |
| November | Native American Heritage Month and International Day for Tolerance |
Inquiries
If you are interested, please contact Janet at janet@norwalknice.org with any questions or to learn more about our educational enrichment programming.
With the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the federal ARPA.
