The Turtle Lake African Music Ensemble and African Chorus is an extra-curricular music program open to all 4th and 5th grade students. This is a very authentic and unique program taught by Sowah Mensah and Kathy Crockett. Sowah is a Master Drummer from Ghana, West Africa and has been teaching African drumming, songs and xylophones to Mounds View students for over 15 years. In 2015, Sowah and Ms. Crockett were awarded the Yale Distinguished Music Educator award for their African Music Program. They have also traveled to Denver, Colorado with the ensemble to perform at a national music educators conference where they were one of only eight groups chosen to perform from the entire nation.

Students in 4th and 5th grade may join the drumming ensemble, which will meet on Wednesday mornings from 8:05-9:05. There is no experience necessary and students do not need to practice outside of class.

If you have any questions about the African Music Program, please email Ms. Crockett at katherine.crockett@moundsviewschools.org.

Please note the start  of this class has been pushed back to Dec 6.

Reduced Fees & Financial Assistance:

Youth who are residing within the Mounds View Public Schools boundaries and currently qualify for educational benefits and/or free/reduced lunch may be eligible for reduced fees and partial scholarships to qualifying Enrichment & Activities programs. Financial support is provided by the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf, District Community Education Scholarship fund and other community donors. Qualifying Enrichment and Activities will have a Financial Support/Educational Benefits fee rate that is 50% of the full fee for the program. If additional support is needed, please see the call 651-621-6020 and/or click here to complete the Youth Financial Assistance Request Form