Beacon Scholarships – Light the Way for Music Education Today
Lou Persic has been teaching music and movement to students in the Silver Spring, Maryland area for over twenty years. A distinguished children’s choral conductor and general music teacher, Lou received his Orff Schulwerk Certification in 2011. He has also had extensive private study for over 20 years with teachers of West African Music and Dance, including three educational trips to Ghana to study with Master Drummer Kwasi Dunyo. Lou is presently teaching at Forest Knolls Elementary School (Pre-K-5) in Montgomery County, MD. In addition to teaching chorus and general music, he offers the Sogo African Rhythm Ensemble and Orff Ensemble as extra-curricular after school programs.
Orff-Afrique: Orff Schulwerk and African Musical Traditions
“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity given to me by the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement. The Beacon Scholarship allowed me to attend the course Orff-Afrique in Ghana, West Africa. This two-week course was led by the brilliant Professor of Ethnomusicology and African studies, Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo, assisted by Doug Goodkin, Sofia Lopez-Ibor, James Harding, and others. The experience helped me to see countless new ways to incorporate the rich, vibrant music and culture of West Africa into my classroom.” – Lou Persic, 2016 Beacon Scholarship Recipient
